Will Fan Death Cause Another Knee Jerk Reaction?
Written by David Lamm · February 23, 2010
If you haven’t heard by now either via other internet racing websites, social networking websites or saw it reported on ESPN, a female spectator was killed after being struck by the left rear wheel of Antron Brown’s dragster after it lost control Sunday. The woman was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital after suffering fatal injuries at Firebird international raceway outside of Phoenix. Naturally, all within the racing community are saddened by the news of her passing.
This marks the first time in my memory that an NHRA fan has died as a result of the racing on the track. Other racing series have had fans killed or injured as a result of crashes on the track. In 1999 during an IRL race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a wheel flew into the grandstands as a result of a crash, killing three people. After the accident, the track’s catch fence was raised an additional six feet.
Whenever a major catastrophic event occurs, tracks and sanctioning bodies tend to react swiftly and unilaterally in the wake of the event. They want to show “good faith” in that they are fixing the problem. The NHRA is particularly adept at making these knee jerk reactions in the wake of tragedy.
In 1999, Doug Herbert suffered a massive engine explosion at the starting line that sprayed debris 200 feet away into the crowd and photographers near the starting line. (Image at left) The NHRA announced the first limitation on the percentage of nitromethane, allowing a maximum of 90%.
In 2004 Top Fuel driver Darrell Russell dies as a result of flying debris from an exploding tire that entered the driver’s cockpit. Numerous rule changes were handed down within weeks including tire changes and requirements and another reduction in the percentage of nitro used in the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes.
In 2008 following the death of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, the NHRA shortened the racing distance from a quarter-mile to 1,000 feet. That rule change remains in effect this season. Many believe the days of Top Fuel dragsters and nitro Funny Cars traversing a quarter-mile course are never coming back.
The pattern is clear that the NHRA reacts quickly whenever tragedy strikes. I would not be surprised if the NHRA announces prior to the start of the next race in Gainesville, Fla. that all tracks need to install catch fences much like the ones you see at Nascar or open wheel race tracks. Although that may be “the right thing to do” it may not be needed.
The recent death of the spectator in Phoenix, although tragic, was a freak accident. Because drag racing is a linear sport in that the two competitors are competing in a straight line, the major impact zone is down track where fans are not seated. In oval racing like Nascar or Indy Car, because the cars are making turns, debris from a crash or a crashed car itself could be propelled towards spectators. Catch fences in these forms of racing are needed to protect the fans. Catch fences in NHRA, in my opinion, are not needed.
Again, the death of the female spectator in Phoenix is a tragedy. Could her death been prevented by a catch fence in place? No one knows for sure. Comparing catch fence success rates at Nascar or Indy Car races and applying that data to NHRA is like comparing apples to oranges. The speeds are different, the equipment is different and the trajectory of debris is even different. It would be merely speculation as to if a fence would have prevented this accident from injuring and killing the spectator.
In a recently article published by ESPN, NHRA fans don’t want safety changes. A number of fans interviewed in the story believe that they all know the inherent risks they take when attending a drag race. Many fans choose to stand as close to the starting line as possible in order to feel the vibrations of the race cars as they launch. So if the fans are unconcerned and say they will continue to attend, why should the NHRA make a sweeping change? They shouldn’t
This was a freak accident. I know those words do not come as any comfort to the friends and family currently mourning the death of the spectator but this was a very rare occurrence. Unfortunately, in today’s overly litigious society, the NHRA will have to make some changes in preparation for an impending lawsuit you know is coming down the pike. So to all of you that want to experience and enjoy the NHRA “without a net”, you better do it soon. I am willing to bet the next time you go to a drag race, you’ll be watching it though the holes of a fence.
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While no governing body can be complacent on safety, & must be constantly vigilant, there will always be some inherent risk in motor racing.
BUT this is confined to the drivers, who accept that risk when they strap themselves into the car. No spectator death can ever be acceptable. The death of a marshal at the Australian GP in 2001 was another freak accident, an errant wheel literally threaded the needle through a catch fence access point & the marshal was standing in the exact worst spot. They have since modified the access gates. Freak accident or not, if there is a risk to the public the sport must take the conservative stance & plan for it, regardless of the low probability.
The NHRA will definitely have to do something for insurance reasons. More studs holding the wheel on is the obvious one or, tethers like F1. I’ve seen wheels come off at speeds many times at the Drags and they go straight down coarse. This was a freak accident indeed. Racing is risky for all involved. You must pay attention at all times. Just like Baseball fans are at risk too. I’ve seen foul balls tear thru hitting people leaving some blood in it’s wake.
John Medlen is already talking about tethers for wheels. The problem with that, is a 200lbs rotating mass spun with 8000HP of force at that high RPM is nothing more than a deadly jackhammer tethered back to a car.
I agree it was a freak accident. While I can certainly appreciate the diligence and proactivity they show to safety, a 30′ catch fence would not have helped a bit in this scenario, as that tire bounced and would have easily cleared it. I think they need to focus in on what part of the driveline/wheel assembly failed, and work towards fixing it. (bigger lugs, wider bolt patterns, a locking hub, more lugs… etc.)