FWIW (and with all respect to Mr. Swift) I would not include him under any
category of "Solo II fatality."
The cause of his death was not directly related to autocross (as in, having
an accident). Rather, it was directly related to his health and just
happened to happen at an autocross. If it happened while he was riding a
bus, as it just as easily could have, it would not be listed in statistics
for bus fatalities, etc. And if anyone makes a case that he was exerting
himself, then it could as easily have happened while he was mowing the lawn
or bringing in the groceries -- it was the exertion, not the venue.
That he was 82 and likely had a smile on his face when it happened -- I
could wish as much for myself.
--Rocky
(PS -- in this discussion, non-SCCA events are equally valid, IMHO, although
SCCA Risk Management probably would not have such data handy.)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Pozner" <apozner@ptd.net>
To: "Rocky Entriken" <rocky@tri.net>; "Gabriel Boehm" <gabriel@boehm.net>;
"Autox (E-mail)" <autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 6:12 AM
Subject: Re: Historical Research
> I don't know if we are including non-SCCA events but there was a fatality
> recently. At a Porshe club autocross held in DC this year Wally Swift, a
> longtime autocrosser, passed away of either a stroke or heart failure
while
> on course driving his Neon ACR. He was 82 and died doing something he
loved.
> Many competitors attended his funeral.
>
> Regards,
> Alan
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Rocky Entriken <rocky@tri.net>
> To: Gabriel Boehm <gabriel@boehm.net>; Autox (E-mail)
<autox@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 7:03 PM
> Subject: Re: Historical Research
>
>
> > I understand you may be able to get that data from Risk Management at
> SCCA.
> >
> > The three fatalities we know about.
> > 1. Photographer in Florida, standing where he'd been told not to stand,
> hit
> > by out-of-control car that approached from behind him. He's the reason
for
> > the spotter rule for all photographers now.
> > 2-3. Driver in southern California, with a passenger, apparently (never
> > nailed down for sure) had a heart attack, drove straight off the course
> and
> > a long, long way to reach the edge of the site, hit curb which launched
> car,
> > tree limb caught both driver and passenger in the helmets.
> > Both early/mid '90s.
> >
> > News of these moves fast now because of today's instant communication.
> > Before the advent of the Internet and e-mail, I had only heard (rumor)
of
> > one other back in the late '60s, an event on an oval where a competitor
> lost
> > it and hit the wall. I have no knowledge of the truth of that rumor.
> >
> > As for injuries, ask Risk Management. I've seen quite a number of rollos
> in
> > my 35+ years in the game, with Erik Strelniek's broken arm at a Salina
Pro
> > Solo the only injury worse than scrapes or bruises. Other than that the
> > worst "solo" accident at an event I'd attended was the competitor riding
a
> > skateboard in the paddock while carrying a glass bottle of Gatorade. Hit
a
> > crack, spilled, fell on the bottle, big gash in his leg, many stitches.
> Oh,
> > and there was the fellow at Nationals one year who broke something
(toe?)
> > when he tripped stepping out of his motorhome in the paddock. I'd not be
> > surprised that will be typical of many injury incidents you get in Solo
> II.
> > I've always felt the paddock was potentially the more dangerous place at
> the
> > event.
> >
> > --Rocky
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Gabriel Boehm" <gabriel@boehm.net>
> > To: "Autox (E-mail)" <autox@autox.team.net>
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 5:07 PM
> > Subject: Historical Research
> >
> >
> > > Can anyone out there direct me to where I can find information about
the
> > > safety record of Solo 2. I know it's very good, but I was wondering if
> > there
> > > had been any serious injuries or fatalities involved? My suspicion is
> that
> > > there hasn't, but I would like something to back up my suspicions.
> > > I would like to prove a point to someone. I bet many of you have had a
> > > similar experience.
> > > Thanks
> > > Gabe
> > >
> > > /// unsubscribe/change address requests to majordomo@autox.team.net
or
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