[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by Transporter

Keep in mind, that "camera" view is PROBABLY a BETTER view than what the driver actually sees, the camera lens is not set back into a full face helmet.

Agreed, however this is the best video I could find representative to show how easy it is to lose sight of the car next to you in a sprint car, not to mention a human walking across a race track in a black firesuit unexpectedly.

[Sirrotica]

I'm not here to argue for anyone or against anyone. It was a accident pure and simple and the grandstander that claims to know everything probably never set foot in a sprint car.

[ho428]

Seeing a car to the side and seeing a lone driver on the track are two different things. If I see a car to the side of the track and I know my line is clear of it the last thing I'm expecting is someone standing on the track in harms way.
I've picked my line to get around the incident, maybe glanced at the gauges, see where the car in front or behind is.
The race is under caution, from a driver standpoint I'm getting prepared for a restart which means catching the car in front.

Racing has rules and protocal so you know what to expect from fellow racers, even if you don't race with them on a regular basis.

[63Banshee]

What #45 says will play a big role in where this goes.

[lfdsteve]

Yep your right banshee. He got up said hey. I think ill piss off some 20 yr old and then kill him.
Go back to California.
Steve

[63Banshee]

The view to the side while driving the car doesn't have as much relevance as the view in front of the car when entering the corner. Couple that with not following a lower line, as #45 did, the revving of the engine right when he is next to Ward and fishtailing into him -- Well worth investigation.

[63Banshee]

I'm not going to quantify ignorance with a response.

[ho428]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

Agreed, however this is the best video I could find representative to show how easy it is to lose sight of the car next to you in a sprint car, not to mention a human walking across a race track in a black firesuit unexpectedly.

I don't drive a sprint but in my car with the full face helmet with visor down, glare, Hans, DS window net, RH containment net, roll cage, etc... my primary vision is straight ahead, most everything else is using the mirrors and limited peripheral vision. If someone is standing in my RH A-pillar line of sight, between the cage tube dia and pillar width I'd never see them.
A Spint probably has even less visability.

[johnsma22]

The ONLY thing that is clear in the video of the incident is that the young driver would still be alive if he had simply stayed in his car and waited for the safety crews to come and get him instead of walking down onto an active racetrack. That fact is indisputable.

[63Banshee]

Originally Posted by johnsma22

The ONLY thing that is clear in the video of the incident is that the young driver would still be alive if he had simply stayed in his car and waited for the safety crews to come and get him instead of walking down onto an active racetrack. That fact is indisputable.

This is why the Ward rule across the industry might be on the way. I suggested a fine yesterday for leaving a car on track, but loss of license and race privileges would probably work better. Stipulations aside, guys. We are talking just pissed off drivers here --

[David Jones]

Originally Posted by johnsma22

The ONLY thing that is clear in the video of the incident is that the young driver would still be alive if he had simply stayed in his car and waited for the safety crews to come and get him instead of walking down onto an active racetrack. That fact is indisputable.

Absolutely.

[Region Warrior]

Cant believe there's even a debate. FWIW, not a fan of Stewart. Although he's one of the best.
Sprint cars are over the edge of control even on straights.
The rear end has to slide out to turn or they would go straight into the rail or wall.
How many times do spun out cars get hit or run over even in day light let alone at night.
Feel sorry for the kid and family(even shed a tear), but get'n out of one of those cars on track is one of the most dangerous in racing.

Oh ya...you really think they have microphones around the track?

[63Banshee]

Originally Posted by Region Warrior

Sprint cars are over the edge of control even on straights.
The rear end has to slide out to turn or they would go straight into the rail or wall.

Oh ya...you really think they have microphones around the track?

Not when they are under caution doing around 30 mph.

Who said anything about microphones around the track? Don't remember reading that. The only audio I saw referenced was the video camera audio.

[60man]

It's a tragic racing deal...period. IMO..
I feel for the Ward family..and Tony.

He (Ward) lost his cool and got out of car before safety workers arrived..it appeared he moved down to get in front of Tony to admonish him..bad decision..
Every drivers meeting I was ever in it was part of instructions to stay in car !!!..
I never ran dirt in a Sprint car but did in Karting and things happen quick and the last thing you expect is a person in the racing groove..
Vision is restricted with the cage & FF helmet..

FWIW: Got to remember if these cars run spools they don't turn very well with steering wheel. May be why you /they heard a motor rev ???

[63Banshee]

Originally Posted by 60man

FWIW: Got to remember if these cars run spools they don't turn very well with steering wheel. May be why you /they heard a motor rev ???

The 1 driver with most experience is the only one with a problem turning in that corner at 30 mph? Even if I didn't have experience driving a car with spool I wouldn't buy into that, but it's not I who has to be convinced. All comes down to the DA at this point.

[David Jones]

How many other drivers did the kid attempt to get in front of?

[gtohurstjudge]

When I watch the video, here is what I see.......I see a twenty year old moron and Darwin Award Finalist walk out in the middle of a race track wearing a black outfit and
standing in a very poorly lit area of the track and commit suicide by walking in front of a race car going 100 miles per hour. This type of stunt is why the Darwin Awards were created.

[63Banshee]

Originally Posted by gtohurstjudge

When I watch the video, here is what I see.......I see a twenty year old moron and Darwin Award Finalist walk out in the middle of a race track wearing a black outfit and
standing in a very poorly lit area of the track and commit suicide by walking in front of a race car going 100 miles per hour. This type of stunt is why the Darwin Awards were created.

That's really what you saw? Interesting point. The only car being driven over caution speed was Stewart's.

[60man]

Originally Posted by 63Banshee

The 1 driver with most experience is the only one with a problem turning in that corner at 30 mph? Even if I didn't have experience driving a car with spool I wouldn't buy into that, but it's not I who has to be convinced. All comes down to the DA at this point.

Have you ever tried to hand push a car into a garage with a spool ....with wheels turned....mission impossible unless you got a lot of help....trust me...
In Karting with solid real axle it wouldn't turn well either. To turn you cranked the wheel and stood on gas..Granted not a Sprit Car but very similar deal..
It did appear the kid moved down after the 45 car passed...a tragic mistake
They don't have speedo's either and 45 car appeared to be going as fast as Tony ??

[60man]

Originally Posted by David Jones

How many other drivers did the kid attempt to get in front of?

X 2..David..a very tragic mistake..