From: Mark Smith
Reply-To: SMITHM%C17.EDW@mhs.elan.af.mil
I have been involved in Vintage racing, mainly as a cornerworker, for many
years. I also am a Nationally licensed Flagger for SCCA, again with many
years and races under my belt. Spent last weekend in Las Vegas working
corners for VARA, with a good car turnout (around 125). I've seen a lot, and
an incident during the weekend points out something often neglected......
Start the story out with the CP race. Nearing the last 1/3 of the race, a
911 blows a motor entering turn 1 (end of the drag strip). Smartly he gets
the car off track, but manages to choose parking in one of the new gravel
traps, in a heavy Turn 1 impact area. Problem #1, getting off track is the
right thing to do, but parking in an impact area is not. End result is
putting a tow truck in traffic to get the car safe. The tow crew was
supplied by the local SCCA region, and was thought to be well qualified,
especially at their home track....enter Problem #2.
First thing that went wrong was when the attached the tow rope to the car.
They tied, tied I repeat the rope to the roll bar through the drivers
window. Because they tied the rope, there was no way for the driver to "let
go of the rope" if necessary. Big suggestion, never let a tow crew make a
connection you can not release from if necessary. O.K., now they have tied
the rope to the roll bar, but the angle of the rope, relative to the truck
and car is very strange. They chose not to drive the truck into the gravel,
then they had hoped to pull the Porsche out at an angle. Enter Problem
#3...You cant pull a car sideways, (O.K. that's exaggerating) you can't pull
a car at a great angle though pea gravel. End result of this situation was
an expensive one...car under tow gets pulled onto it's roof.
Things to learn for all involved: 1. Don't secure the tow strap in a way
you can't let go if required. In this instance, the driver had plenty of
chance to "let go", but was unable to. 2. Always keep strapped in and
helmet/gloves on when you are in the car, even under tow. In this, case it
saved a face full of windshield glass.
3. If you are under tow, and don't feel right about things, straighten the
problems out before you continue. 4. Save yourself, other racers, and the
workers some work and if you must pull off mechanical, stop somewhere safe!
The problems reflect no negligence on the part of VARA, they provided what
was thought to be a competent tow crew, but I expect a different tow crew
the next race!
Hope this tale saves someone in the future!
Mark "spinner" Smith
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