The Chesley Dixon Fire at Swainsboro

[Stede Bonnet]

I don't recall ever seeing an actual firetruck at any of the tracks I grew up at, but we did have a dedicated fire/emergency vehicle equipped with some rescue equipment. Always had ambulance and EMT's standing by, but not an actual firetruck, never seen that anywhere... I think making the cars more easily escapable would be a logical good move. Lower the decking, raise the halo height. Too much focus has been put on restraint, but that's normal over reaction in one direction. Another safety issue would be rules regarding the bodies and certain suspension components so they arent as prone to getting upside down. Prior to 1998, with 12 years racing experience up to then, I'd only ever seen 2 dlm's ever turn over, whats changed? Modern setups are just more dangerous, I'd like to see that change.

[TerryM]

I don't recall ever seeing an actual firetruck at any of the tracks I grew up at, but we did have a dedicated fire/emergency vehicle equipped with some rescue equipment.

That's what I'm referring to when I say fire truck. I mean a fire safety vehicle, not necessarily the big red fire truck most people think of when you hear that term.

[billetbirdcage]

I've never been all that in favor of mandating rules or safety equipment if its something that doesn't effect others, sort of like motorcycle helmet rules and etc. If you don't wear one, the risk is pretty much all on you and have no effect on anyone else, but that can't be said about eye protection on a bike where if something gets into your eye and you can't see then you could kill someone else (just an example). If you want to race without a fire suit, I really don't care as it's stupid and all on you then.

But anyways some things to improve safety:

1. All your fuel fittings should be steel not aluminum as during a roll over they are going to be much harder to snap off and run the fuel out of the lines. Granted no one does this and aluminum AN fitting are pretty much the standard. But how many times have you seen a wreck and the fitting gets snapped off the block mounted fuel pump or fuel cell? Lines rarely rip in half in my experience but fittings snap off fairly easy.

2. Battery mounting: many are not mounted that great where they can shift in the battery box and arch to ground causing sparks thus more chance to ignite any spilled fuel. A non conductive cover over the battery terminals would go a long ways to prevent arching and sparks

3. Tracks having a grappling hook or a hook on a long pole with a chain or fire retardant rope to allow people to turn a car over or move it into a more desired position when they can't get close to said car due to fire. Just something to allow the car to be turned over quickly if it's in a position that hampers the drivers or works ability to get the driver out of the car.

4. The cars are fast enough that really the frame construction rules are really not up to par and it's never checked anyways but 1.5" .065 tubing on the main cage is really sketchy for the speeds these cars are going on some race tracks. Think about this what's holding the engine from being in you lap in a head on impact? A 1/4" aluminum mid plate and 2 half inch bolts that attach to side aluminum motor mounts that are bolted to likely lightened aluminum block with 3 3/8" bolts. There isn't much stopping the engine from ending up in your feet/lap, maybe the dizzy hitting the dash bar and the headers hitting the foot box.

5. A fuel shut off (possibly with a external cable that someone could close it without getting right next to the cell) made into the fuel cell would likely help instead of relying on a roll over valve that probably isn't ever checked to see if it's working and the flapper valves on the fill cap that is constantly being bend by the funnel when filling it with fuel. Anything to make the lines/fitting harder to break off during a wreck/rollover and leak fuel would be a plus.

6. Already mentions was the obvious things like fire suppression and related safety equipment. Anyone that wears a 2 piece fire suit and thinking they have some safety is crazy. You think those flames aren't going to go right up the between the pants and jacket?????????

In short, you need to rely on yourself and make decision if it safe to race. Just remember your car may be up to snuff but you may get into a pile up and someone else's car isn't and a fire breaks out and your caught in it.

[TerryM]

I hope everyone gets a chance to read the statement put out by Bridget Dixon today. I saw it through Duane Goins sharing it on Facebook. It's one of the most emotionally touching things I've ever read. Literally brought tears to my and my wife's eyes. The work of our almighty God is a beautiful and powerful thing.

[71PRPFan]

Very sad. I lost a family member on April 19th and tracks still aren't stepping up. How many does it take

[Cardirt0]

That's what I'm referring to when I say fire truck. I mean a fire safety vehicle, not necessarily the big red fire truck most people think of when you hear that term.

You can buy back pack Foam fire Ex.. Foam from 35 feet a way if you had 2 of them one foams the driver and 1 foams the fire.. As I under stand they under a 1000 bucks
(TRI-MAX 3 CAF-Pack) Do a Fund razer and give them too the fire house in there town with the under standing that the race track gets them on race night...2 of them could have put out that fire in 2 min or less...

[Highside Hustler25]

Nobody should race at a facility without a fire safety crew on sight. I do not know of this racer but thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. Being burnt is a terrible and very painful injury.

[Cardirt0]

I hope everyone gets a chance to read the statement put out by Bridget Dixon today. I saw it through Duane Goins sharing it on Facebook. It's one of the most emotionally touching things I've ever read. Literally brought tears to my and my wife's eyes. The work of our almighty God is a beautiful and powerful thing.

post a link to it...please

[Cardirt0]

That's what I'm referring to when I say fire truck. I mean a fire safety vehicle, not necessarily the big red fire truck most people think of when you hear that term.

Pick up truck with a Foamer on it Small foamer put out a jet fire in under 2 min...Good foamer under 30 sec on a race car...Foam is the way too go....Water just moves the gas a round still burns foam covers it...

[davis2902]

https://www.facebook.com/duane.goins.79/posts/1206871826000638

[Cardirt0]

https://www.facebook.com/duane.goins...06871826000638

Thank You.......

[Stede Bonnet]

I've never been all that in favor of mandating rules or safety equipment if its something that doesn't effect others, sort of like motorcycle helmet rules and etc. If you don't wear one, the risk is pretty much all on you and have no effect on anyone else, but that can't be said about eye protection on a bike where if something gets into your eye and you can't see then you could kill someone else (just an example). If you want to race without a fire suit, I really don't care as it's stupid and all on you then.

But anyways some things to improve safety:

1. All your fuel fittings should be steel not aluminum as during a roll over they are going to be much harder to snap off and run the fuel out of the lines. Granted no one does this and aluminum AN fitting are pretty much the standard. But how many times have you seen a wreck and the fitting gets snapped off the block mounted fuel pump or fuel cell? Lines rarely rip in half in my experience but fittings snap off fairly easy.

2. Battery mounting: many are not mounted that great where they can shift in the battery box and arch to ground causing sparks thus more chance to ignite any spilled fuel. A non conductive cover over the battery terminals would go a long ways to prevent arching and sparks

3. Tracks having a grappling hook or a hook on a long pole with a chain or fire retardant rope to allow people to turn a car over or move it into a more desired position when they can't get close to said car due to fire. Just something to allow the car to be turned over quickly if it's in a position that hampers the drivers or works ability to get the driver out of the car.

4. The cars are fast enough that really the frame construction rules are really not up to par and it's never checked anyways but 1.5" .065 tubing on the main cage is really sketchy for the speeds these cars are going on some race tracks. Think about this what's holding the engine from being in you lap in a head on impact? A 1/4" aluminum mid plate and 2 half inch bolts that attach to side aluminum motor mounts that are bolted to likely lightened aluminum block with 3 3/8" bolts. There isn't much stopping the engine from ending up in your feet/lap, maybe the dizzy hitting the dash bar and the headers hitting the foot box.

5. A fuel shut off (possibly with a external cable that someone could close it without getting right next to the cell) made into the fuel cell would likely help instead of relying on a roll over valve that probably isn't ever checked to see if it's working and the flapper valves on the fill cap that is constantly being bend by the funnel when filling it with fuel. Anything to make the lines/fitting harder to break off during a wreck/rollover and leak fuel would be a plus.

6. Already mentions was the obvious things like fire suppression and related safety equipment. Anyone that wears a 2 piece fire suit and thinking they have some safety is crazy. You think those flames aren't going to go right up the between the pants and jacket?????????

In short, you need to rely on yourself and make decision if it safe to race. Just remember your car may be up to snuff but you may get into a pile up and someone else's car isn't and a fire breaks out and your caught in it.

I agree with everything he said, very logical simple things. Great post Billet

[chupp n bloomer fan]

Sorry I was talking about each individual track.

I don't know of to many tracks in this area that has a fire truck onsite

Gotcha. I don't mean like a full blown full size fire truck. But a pick-up fire truck with guys on it trained who know what they are doing.

[kidrock]

Gotcha. I don't mean like a full blown full size fire truck. But a pick-up fire truck with guys on it trained who know what they are doing.

Well my home track has a few pick up trucks but, they have trained fire fighters that are also trained EMT's. I'm not sure what kind of special fire equipment they have in the pick up truck other than fire extinguishers.

[Bob Hubbard]

I read someplace the bigger 75 lb bottles do a better job than a bunch of small ones .... I guess the full volume of a Bigger extinguisher doesnt give the fire a chance to breath ... Smothering it all at once im guessing ....