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Racer dies testing brakes at track (Fontana)

HisPony

Wondering where I am!?!?
NHRA has Safety Rules for a reason!!


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-briefs9-2009aug09,0,2176414.story

A drag racer conducting a brake test died Saturday at the Auto Club Speedway when his car smashed into a parked trailer at more than 100 miles per hour, authorities said.

Ronald Marcum, 53, of La Habra was conducting the test in the pit area about 8:30 a.m. when the transmission on the custom drag car suddenly engaged, authorities said.

Such brake tests normally involve revving the vehicle at high revolutions per minute while pushing a button that stops the transmission from engaging, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The National Hot Rod Assn., which sets rules for drag racing events, requires that the tests be conducted while the car's tires are off the ground, but those rules were not followed in this case, according to the CHP.
 

sdsubzero4

Spring Valley, CA
Hate it whenever someone gets hurt or killed in an accident. But yes, safety rules are there for a reason and this what happens when someone ignores it. Condolescence to the man's family.
 

HisPony

Wondering where I am!?!?
Should've followed the rules

I agree 100%!!

I post this only because the NHRA has put rules in place for a reason. I would bet my next paycheck this has happened before thus the rule.

A lot of you are starting to get into racing, the above is a reminder to those that think "It can't happen to me".

Sorry, stories like this just drive me CRAZY!!

Off my soapbox
 

spdpilot

Well-Known Member
I agree 100%!!

I post this only because the NHRA has put rules in place for a reason. I would bet my next paycheck this has happened before thus the rule.

A lot of you are starting to get into racing, the above is a reminder to those that think "It can't happen to me".

Sorry, stories like this just drive me CRAZY!!

Off my soapbox


Good point!

Maybe I am getting old or just smarter, but it really bugs me to see people do things that are dangerous for no reason. I was walking through the pits a few weeks back and I noticed (for some odd reason) how many people who were working under their cars with only a Jack. No stands. I think I counted about 5 people. I thought to myself, I know they are in a hurry but, how long can it take to stick a stand under there. And I have seen this on Pinks on national tv as well. I must be getting old and cautious.
 

Tommy

New Member
heard a rumor yesterday that Auto Club Speedway in Fontana might be closing. Closest 1/4 mile will be Bakersfield if that happens.
 

ears

Well-Known Member
ill never do that again,,,, im a walking testimate,,,, its a real bad idea to work under your car with out a stand!!!! any one has any questions ill show you my leg!!!! im sure most of you were around but i nearly lost my right leg because of stupidity like that!!!! dont think it wont happen to you,,,,,,, it will,,, its just a matter of when!!! that is if you dont use stands!!! its like having unsafe sex man,,,,,, sure its a bit nicer, but eventually ur gonna get bit!! probably in more than one way!!!loolololololololololl
 

spdpilot

Well-Known Member
heard a rumor yesterday that Auto Club Speedway in Fontana might be closing. Closest 1/4 mile will be Bakersfield if that happens.


I was wondering when that might happen. The guys at Barona did a quick run down of the numbers needed to run a 1/4 mile track in Southern California and they pretty much said flat out, it wasn't profitable. Even with the land value in Barona, which about as cheap as you will find in Socal.

The direction Calfiornia is going with fees, environment, taxes, and I can only imagine the outrageous insurance a track would have, I don't see how they do it anyways. Toss in land costs??

I don't think we will have many tracks at all in the future. Hell, they can't even put in a airport around here, race tracks are doomed.
 

HisPony

Wondering where I am!?!?
I was wondering when that might happen. The guys at Barona did a quick run down of the numbers needed to run a 1/4 mile track in Southern California and they pretty much said flat out, it wasn't profitable. Even with the land value in Barona, which about as cheap as you will find in Socal.

The direction Calfiornia is going with fees, environment, taxes, and I can only imagine the outrageous insurance a track would have, I don't see how they do it anyways. Toss in land costs??

I don't think we will have many tracks at all in the future. Hell, they can't even put in a airport around here, race tracks are doomed.

It's an Indian Reservation! They could tell everybody to pi$$ off.

Their only problem would be the public roads leading into the reservation
 
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