Brian Shirley's Needmore Fire

[Dirt Clod]

Surely someone has comments about Brian Shirley's fire last night at Needmore Speedway. Thankfully, Brian escaped unharmed. It's a quick reminder about the dangers of the sport and the need to take all the safety measures to protect the driver. AND, to make sure every track has enough firefighting equipment and trained staff members to put out such a fire. The video is shocking and alarming.

Bing Videos

[zyoung25]

Something needs done with the bodies before we have another Charlie Floyd or Jim Dunn. A bigger guy probably doesn't get out of the car near that fast. Seats are too big, c0ckpits are too small.

[Clayton_Wetters]

Thank God Brian is okay.

[TheJet-09]

Yes, thankfully he is okay. I saw the video as one of those "suggested for you" on my Facebook feed...didn't know it was him at first but then caught a glimpse of the large 3 on the side.

[riddle28]

Something needs done with the bodies before we have another Charlie Floyd or Jim Dunn. A bigger guy probably doesn't get out of the car near that fast. Seats are too big, c0ckpits are too small.

these cars are as tall as theyre gonna get and still fit in the hauler. Shirleys time to get out was concerning, I know hes pretty tall but when he stopped rolling to when he was coming out took way too many seconds

[Kromulous]

A recent post by Briwn Shirley on FB i think, but he went thru what happend in detail.

It got me to thinking, LOL dangerous, but seems like we need some sort of fuel by pass. I have seen a few cars in the last few years Diesel when they blow up, there was one at Eldora last year i think. I know Sprint Cars used to run them with Magnetos.

A mechanical Bypass on the suppy line, activated by a lever or solenoid in the (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)pit to stop the flow of fuel to the engine, and return it to the fuel cell, shutting off the engine after the fuel bowls run dry, probably take 3 to 5 seconds after activating it. Sprint Cars would shut right off but they have mechanical injection not Carbs.

Currently you can cut the electric, but as Shirley outline in his post, if the Engine is still turning the pump still pumps fuel.

[jog49]

Didn't this have to be a ruptured fuel line? If so, seek better protection for the fuel line.

[golddirt]

Listen to Brian‘s explanation it popped a piston and the engine ran away like a diesel does burning on the oil and yes, Josh Rice lost an engine a few years ago at Eldora the same way, but it did not catch fire

[KTMLew]

Listen to Brian‘s explanation it popped a piston and the engine ran away like a diesel does burning on the oil and yes, Josh Rice lost an engine a few years ago at Eldora the same way, but it did not catch fire

Some apparently don't understand the term dieseling. Gas engine running on a "fuel" that is NOT gasoline. Even if you "shut-off the gas line/fuel" it may well keep running by burning the oil, I suppose until it runs out of oil. Any way you figure that, bad shiz gonna happen.

[hardracer32]

The bigger concern, IMHO, is the plastic body panels. Did they burn or just melt and fall off? If they actually burn, they need to be banned. And also, according to Squirrel's own comments, there was some leakage from the fuel cell. Sounds like an opportunity to learn there as well.

[Highside Hustler25]

Something needs done with the bodies before we have another Charlie Floyd or Jim Dunn. A bigger guy probably doesn't get out of the car near that fast. Seats are too big, c0ckpits are too small.

I agree and have thought this for years and it's only getting worse. They need to put a roof flap in and exit them like a micro or midget.
Shirley is small compared to some guys. Sure don't want to see another Charlie Floyd.

[billetbirdcage]

The bigger concern, IMHO, is the plastic body panels. Did they burn or just melt and fall off? If they actually burn, they need to be banned. And also, according to Squirrel's own comments, there was some leakage from the fuel cell. Sounds like an opportunity to learn there as well.

Although they have no issue with the roofs, which will melt and drip onto you which as we all know how bad that can burn you.

Side note: They aren't allow on the left side of the car

[KTMLew]

Although they have no issue with the roofs, which will melt and drip onto you which as we all know how bad that can burn you.

Side note: They aren't allow on the left side of the car

Big problem will be if fire and car laying on drivers side. Definitely need a way to remove top quickly.

[Jed]

Scary deal for sure. Don’t criticize the containment seats as they serve a valuable purpose. Scary thing was that Josh Rice’s car was in the pits at Eldora with the engine dieseling. Sure glad his didn’t burn up like that.

[over4T]

Several good points guys. Too small on the (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)pits make getting out quick very difficult. Audie Swartz cars have enough room to get out the right side if necessary, something few others, if any, have. Shirley showed on a video that every single fluid line on the car was braided steel. Don't know what could be done about the dieseling fires. After seeing a guy get horribly burned in a car fire some 50 years ago I've always been a little obsessive about our equipment and knowing what to do in case. We practiced repeatedly so it was second nature to do when it happened. Only had a couple of incidents with fire, one with me and one with my son, but had no one hurt either time. Both were freak no contact incidents but even with our meticulous prep did happen. Fire's a very scary thing.