IRL fatal crash

[Topcat]

With racing comes the risk of loosing life or limb. 30 yr. old Paul Dana passed away after crashing.

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[Carlwalski]

Man, that is bad. You don't see too many deaths as of late in professional motor-sports with all the new hi-tech safety gear. No matter how clever us humans are at protecting ourselves, there's no sure-fire way to avoid death.


 

[camjam]

That is most tragic and very sad. Because there are so few fatal accidents now one almost forgets that they are racing at extremely high speeds.

[Topcat]

I remember many years ago,while watching Formula racing. Aerton Senna who was a world famous driver crashed and died instantly. Formula racing made changes to safety after that. Even with all the changes such as the carbon fiber enclosed chassis, there will always be a risk factor involved. But from every fatality, improvements to professional racing evolve. After Earnhardt Sr. died, the hans device became widely used as you may recall.

[Oldschool]

     I saw the actual crash on Speed TV earlier today.  It was terrible.  I don't understand why those guys keep running at top speed when someone has spun and or crashed in front of them.  The driver that was killed hit another car that had hit the wall and was pretty much sitting still.  He was travelling at full speed, or very close to it.  Seems his spotters or someone did not let him know to slow down.  Bad deal for the IRL and those drivers.  My prayers are with the families of the drivers.         ....Oldschool

[crcarch]

   ......... Seems his spotters or someone did not let him know to slow down.....Oldschool

According to ESPN, first indications are that his spotter did tell him of the wreck and the yellow had been on for several seconds.  That's why the other cars approached much more slowly.  Seems like it may have simply been a rookie mistake.  The world moves mighty fast at 170+mph.  You've got to know everything going on around you.  Very sad. Very sad.

[Ghost]

On top of being a rookie, when you're going that fast, slowing down isn't easy.

[74MOPAR]

 That crash was very much like the one that cost Alex Zanardi his legs. although worse in its consequences.