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Topic: Beaver Dam fatality
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Page 2 of 2 of 26 replies
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September 21, 2014 at
06:41:56 PM
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12/03/2004
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106
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I met Scott years ago when we both raced weekly at Wilmot Raceway.. We always passed each other in the pits weekly and he approached me one night and complimented me on my racing on how well I do with what I deal with.. From that night on we were friends at the track.. Scott was one of the most friendliest, hard working guys you will ever meet!.. Truly one of the nicest guys, when I seen him he always asked how my racing was going.. My heart goes out to the Semmelmann family and friends.. Rest in Peace my friend you will be missed...
There has been a memorial fund to help support Scott's family. Lets see if the link below will work.
www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/dwv5/the-scott-semmelmann-memorial-fund
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September 22, 2014 at
08:54:08 AM
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09/11/2008
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84
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i agree ben31 truly wish tracks that use concrete walls would make catch fence flush with wall to keep cars from landing on them like shane's wreck at action track
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September 22, 2014 at
11:04:17 AM
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04/18/2008
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1267
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This message was edited on
September 22, 2014 at
11:04:42 AM by henry chinaski
Reply to:
Posted By: turtle4156 on September 22 2014 at 08:54:08 AM
i agree ben31 truly wish tracks that use concrete walls would make catch fence flush with wall to keep cars from landing on them like shane's wreck at action track
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What you propose would have had zero effect on Shanes crash at Terre Haute. He impacted laterally pancaking the top of the roll cage. Now a soft wall may have lessened the blow but lets face it freak accidents have, can and will happen in racing. Not everything is completely preventable.
To the family of Scott, please accept my condolences and may he rest in peace.
Cheers!
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September 22, 2014 at
02:01:09 PM
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05/28/2008
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872
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Reply to:
Posted By: henry chinaski on September 22 2014 at 11:04:17 AM
What you propose would have had zero effect on Shanes crash at Terre Haute. He impacted laterally pancaking the top of the roll cage. Now a soft wall may have lessened the blow but lets face it freak accidents have, can and will happen in racing. Not everything is completely preventable.
To the family of Scott, please accept my condolences and may he rest in peace.
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I disagree with your assessment. I do believe that having a catch fence on top of a concrete wall (or jersey barricade) will improve the odds of the driver not being injured. With Shane's crash, the video shows him pancaking the top of the roll cage just as you described. However, if the roll cage would have first had to go through a six foot catch fence it would have definitely changed the impact zone of the crash.
By looking at the pictures of the crash scene it looks like Scott may have also hit a blunt object with the top of the cage. A catch fence on top of the wall would have lessoned the blow and also have changed the impact zone fo the crash.
It is the sudden stops that we need to look at improving, and crashing into the top of a wall or jersey barricade is where we should start looking first.
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September 23, 2014 at
02:34:12 PM
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I know that the IRA has avoided tracks in the past with metal guardrails for safety concerns. In this case I have seen many sprint cars exit the track at Beaver Dam raceway a catch fence may have helped this sad situation from happening. No one person can say for sure and the Ira number one concern is for it's racers. With the safety crew they have along with Ira officers and members they do an excellent job for all the drivers. But tracks without a fence on top the wall at all the tracks they visit may have to be looked at. The fastest cars on dirt with the most courageous drivers on earth desevre it.
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September 23, 2014 at
04:00:34 PM
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1478
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Reply to:
Posted By: beercanned on September 23 2014 at 02:34:12 PM
I know that the IRA has avoided tracks in the past with metal guardrails for safety concerns. In this case I have seen many sprint cars exit the track at Beaver Dam raceway a catch fence may have helped this sad situation from happening. No one person can say for sure and the Ira number one concern is for it's racers. With the safety crew they have along with Ira officers and members they do an excellent job for all the drivers. But tracks without a fence on top the wall at all the tracks they visit may have to be looked at. The fastest cars on dirt with the most courageous drivers on earth desevre it.
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That would leave Wilmot out, as there are certain areas of concrete blocking that are not with fencing, ask Mike Decker.
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September 23, 2014 at
11:54:44 PM
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12/21/2010
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840
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I was there, it happened right in front of me. if you have any question, feel free to message me privately on here. it was an awful accident and I feel terrible for the family. glad to see that a lot of people are rallying to help them right now. hoping that the IRA has another VERY long stretch without this happening in the future.
Follow me on the social medias! ; twitter -
larryitis Facebook - Michael Collins
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