Off road race tragedy

[84projectFORD]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,5902685.story

Im puttin this thread here cause its affected us in the off road racing world. Plus i dont want racerangers thread to get derailed.

Im very sad for the familys that had this happen to them. its something they should not have to deal with and im praying for them. But in the same sense i do not believe its the drivers fault or ALL of MOREs fault. MORE can only enforce so many rules with the people they have and im sorry but would you stand right next to a freeway with no barriers? i understand its an exciting spot to watch but you got trucks doin 60+ mph down a funnel you have created with people. Ive never stood that close with all the races ive been too because of this reason.

Now this is IMHOP. Im sure others will disagree but like i said, i feel for the familys that have lost their loved ones, but i dont agree that the driver was at fault or that it was ALL MOREs fault.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Yeah I heard about that... A bunch of people were arguing about how its so unsafe and its all the drivers fault and how MORE should have had all this stuff to prevent that... Its just stupid, people argue over the internet and they have no clue what its actually like at these places. I have never been to an event like those but I have seen the Baja races before with the in truck cameras theres people standing all the way across the track up until the last second when you pass.

Nobody should be held accountable for what no one could control...

 

[backroad101]

That LA Times link does not seem to work for me but i will assume it is the same topic discussed here?

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89118

.

 

[84projectFORD]

Yup thats it.

 

[59bisquik]

You meant the MDR California 200 race. At first reading your post, I thought there was a second accident.

Definate tragedy out there. We go to these races all the time but sit much further back and in the bed of our truck with lawnchairs. Gotta use a little common sense instead of getting up close and personal. Not during a race, but I have driven some of these courses in my Turbo Subaru dune buggy. These courses are just plain nasty. At the speed they are travelling, its very easy to make a mistake and get the car out of shape. I dont think people realize how squirly they can be and how easy it is to make a mistake out in the dirt.

 

[doyouquaxu]

i've been very involved with the accident, following news reports, and working on fundraisers, stickers, bracelets etc to benefit the families. with desert racing, it is hard to set up barriers along a 50 mile course, and spectators in the area also inch forward so that they can see around the person in front of them. it can't be entirely MDR's fault, they are old school racers who do their best to keep entry costs down so that as many people as possible can race. the BLM rangers were showing their force that day, in their brand new tahoes. however, their force was to pull over the ice cream truck to make sure he had permits to handle food, and issue tickets to those trying to enjoy themselves. when the race came, they magically seemed to disappear even though they KNEW that the rockpile was going to be a busy place. i place no blame whatsoever on the driver, his truck broke and he had no control of what happened next.

 

[59bisquik]

I agree...the driver is not at fault here. It was an accident and possibly a mechanical failure also. Racing is inherintely dangerous and people need to understand that. Anyone with common sense knows that they cant put up 50 miles or fence or barriers.

 

[dave@threat]

Very sad thing to happen and our prayers go out to everyone involved!

Every year it gets worse and worse and after last years close calls infront of our pits we decided against going this time because we feared something bad was going to happen. There is way to many people out there that lack common sence. Spectators, MDR, and BLM need to understand the dangers and the odds that are against them. It is just to big of a chance to take at an event like this. All we can do now is leave it in the past and learn from it and get everyone involed to keep this from happening again. Without everyone's participation at these events we can kiss offoad racing goodbye! I hope I didnt offend anyone but it is the truth

 

[88_Eddie]

Nobody should be held accountable for what no one could control...

it's unfortunate, but the people are accountable for where they stand at a race. they know the trucks are bouncing all around the desert doing 70-80 mph (or faster, idk) stiill, they wanna get as close as possible and think that nothing bad is gonna happen.

 

[frankserrano]

"control what you can control," is what the head coach i coach football for says to our players. i'm sure the driver did everything he could to NOT hit and kill eight people, but things happen. people get hurt. we suffer the consequences and mourning, and move on with the sport.

this was in the papers where i live in FL, too.