I found this pic, It is a sad day I hope it will make us think more about safety

 

very sad... my thoughts are with the families and friends of all those involved

 

I'm at a total loss for words. He was a real nice guy and one hell of a racer. The Pro Mod scene has lost a hero today. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and Rimmer and their crews. So sad.
CA

 

I was standing right across from the car when it came to rest.

That picture was taken very shortly after the wreck.....probably two to three minutes. He is still in the car in that picture. They couldn't get close for a few minutes because of the fire, then there was a battery cable loose, or something still sparking, and they didn't have any bolt cutters....had to borrow a pair from a guy in the crowd. Not very prepared for a track running cars at over 200 mph.

Notice how there is not an EMS unit there either......they didn't have one at the track. Would not have mattered because I think he was gone before they got him out of the car, but Mrs. Grebeck might just own Orlando Speedworld after this.........I don't think anyone was required to sign a liability waver either....I know I didn't.

Very tragic.

 

I agree with you there. I couldnt believe they didnt have an EMS, or at least a good array of tools quickly available in case of something like this.

I guess it probably costs money to have one on standby and Bill Alexander (of Fun Ford) didnt want to pay? Or is it the venues resposibility? Regardless, a very ill prepped track for this type of racing.

Jeff

 

Tim,

If he didn't sign a waiver, Orlando Speedworld is *UCKED! as is the FFW Promoter. Idiots!

No EMT? No bolt cutters?

Tragic.

Bob

 

I run at Orlando Speedworld regularly on test n tune nights and they have a waiver for me to sign as well as an amublance on site in addition to several FHP and local sheriff's office units. I was not there at FFW but I find it very odd that there was no waiver or ambulance this time. Sounds like FFW in essence rented the track and didn't pony up for the extras.

 

Very sad, my prayers to the family. Street racers take note

 

Guys......there was an EMS Truck there....it was parked 50ft past the finish line.

Remember there were 2 cars involved.....the EMS may have stopped at the other car first.

Plus....I don't know about anyone else....but I did have to sign my TECH Card.....pretty sure there was some waiver language on it......but I may be wrong.

 

this really stinks.. the guy has done alot, i have seen his face and cars in magazines for at least the last 13 years and he was always cutting edge.

no reason to start throwing blame.. nascar couldnt save the biggest name in the sport. Not to many people walk away or even have a chance when this happens at 200 mph. seem like someone well known losses their life in motor sport every year. other than Zanardy(spelling) ,Earny Ervan and Darrel Gwynn, I cant think of anyone who had major injuries that made it.

 

Very sad. I spent much of Sunday and today thinking of him his family and the others affected.

Sixpipes and I flew to Orlando for the race and saw parts of the crash.... The video was supposed to show him veer sharply in front of the car in the left lane and get catapulted in the air over the guard rail and into a bank that ran parallel to the track. ( I never saw the tape ) The decel from hitting the bank is likely the biggest factor. The other car slid on its roof 300+ feet further than the picture above. One of the cars went thru the traps at like 7.14 at over 200 after the crash.

I was in the pits and looked up in time to see a ball of spinning parts and dirt go flying by... It was after he had hit the bank....

No one I spoke to on Sun had signed a waiver. First time I ever went to any track as driver or spectator and didnt have to sign. Also first track I didnt see an EMS van parked next to the timing slip shack....

Frighteningly the pits were to the right - If he had veered from right lane to right he would have been over the 4 foot chain link fence and into the crowd and the pits in a hurry.... So if there is an upside it is that it could have been much worse.

Doug

 

Hey Doug,

I was there also. Steve G.'s car veered out of control right in front of me, I was leaning against the fence in front of the Diablo tent.
I could hardly believe what was happening in front of my eyes, it took my breath away.

I was thinking the same thing, if the car would have veered the other way, a lot of people in the pit would have gotten hurt. It is sad, but it could have been worse like you said.

Emergency response team seemed a little under equipted and that FL wind didn't let up much all weekend. But, He hit the bank so hard, there wasn't much the EMS people could have down to help him. It reminded me of the Dale Earnhart impact.

I went by where you and Sixpipes were pitting a couple times, but I kept missing you. See you guys again somewhere. I was there with the guy in the Orange L.

 

I agree with Doug. God Bless this man and his family. Tragic events have the uncanny ability to "open our eyes". This track from what I comprehend in these posts is unsafe. No EMS??? what kind of bull**** is this??? BS. What people will do to save a buck is amazing. Its an absolute miracle more people were not killed. IMHO

 

I signed a waiver for Fri night Test and Tune to run down the track. My wife was with me and didn't have to sign because she wasn't running the truck. As slow as I was going in the Ranger she could have gone down the track with me and then would have to sign the waiver. That's what the lady told us at the gate. Sat. and Sun. when we returned to the track we didn't sign jack. Now as slow as I was going I was able to make the first turn off where the EMS was always parked. So they were there.

Paul.

 

That's very sad and disheartening news. The sport of 5.0 racing has lost one of it's finest. It just makes you remember, that the sport that we love and participate in is dangerous. I've been in that very situation, as a friend of mine lost his life at El Mirage a few years ago. Be safe!