Forum: SCRAFAN.COM Forum (go)
Moderators: ljennings

My advice to Victorville auto raceway is to type Doug Wolfgang into their computer.....then call Perris Auto Speedway or Ventura Auto Raceway and get some advice ,,,both of those tracks have great Fire teams ...suited up and ready in the event there needed.....maybe Simpson or Crow or Deist can offer a package at a reduced price...i'd throw $100 to start the pot....as of right now ..you race at Victorville at you own risk..any track person who assist a driver without safety equip on is a hero to me..he knew he'd get burnt ,yet he put the drivers need before his own safety...but WHY SHOULD IT BE THAT WAY

ill throw some money in the pot....

I sat in the stands on Saturday night what started with cheering for Johnny's first win went to screaming. I had time to yell out several times where's the fire crew before the truck even pulled up, then fobled around in the bed of the truck for the fire extinguisher. If you ask me those should be strapped in place, easy to get to. It shouldn't have to fall on the drivers to get the track up on safety gear. The track should care more about the safety of everyone.

JOHNNY MCCALL UPDATE.

PER KERRY

HEY EVERYONE. WE HAVE A PERSON WHO IS LOOKING INTO A FUNDRAISER FOR JOHNNY MCCALL. IT IS GOING TO REQUIRE A FIRE SUIT AND AN EVENING AT A RESTURANT. IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO WE CAN START PUTTING THIS THING TOGETHER.. I APPRECIATE ANY AND ALL HELP FROM ANYONE WHO PARTICIPATES. THANKS IN ADVANCE. CRIS. 909-374-2617

I completely agree with u! The fire crews took way too long to respond & did not have their fire extinguishers easily accessible. I do think it's great that racers want to help pitch in money to get better safety equipment for the track, but your right it should be the track's (VAR) responsibility to have the proper equipment/gear.

I also was in the grandstands at this race & was completely stunned on the lack on preparedness on VAR's part. I felt so terrible for the McCall family sitting only several rows in from of me who were watching in horror their son/family member burning & unable to get out of the car. Thank God for that official who stepped in to help. He is a real hero! I hope Johnny has a full recovery & feels better soon! In the meantime, VAR needs to get their act together in regards to their safety procedures. It is so unfortunate that it took a racer to get badly injured to demonstrate these safety issues.

Sorry to be dragging on but, another safety issue I have noticed at VAR is that the flagman also does not throw out the caution flag soon enough several times. On one occasion in particular, which I believe was on Sept. 26th, during the modified race a car drove over a k-rail & appeared to hit a pole in turn 1 & the flagman saw the car & did not throw out the caution flag for several laps. It was a apparent that the flagman saw the car , but it was close to the end of the race so he still continued to stay green. The flagman then put the caution out when the fire crews were stopped in the infield by turn 1 trying to cross the track even though the race was still going green. The fire crews finally made it to the car but it took forever. That driver could have been burning in his car too or badly injured but again the lack of safety procedures was clearly shown. I hope VAR reads these comments & take immediate action. I love this track & hope it can improve & have all the drivers safety be a priority.

I WAS ASKED TO STOP POSTING ON THE SUBJECT SO I AM.. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE WHO PLANS TO CONTINUE AT VAR..

Asked to stop? This is still a free country...isn't it? Or did that get changed too?

Guess I will get the subject back up then. When you sign in at a race track it is a two way contract. It is implied that you will race and entertain at a track and in return will receive the very basic safety requirements and equipment should you need it. Several things come to mind. What were the "safety"crews doing? Video? Why did it take so long to get there? Were the radios already turned off? Are there radios? Why were the fire extinguishers so hard to get too? Was there a water truck rolling? Did the safety crew have any training at all? Did they wear a two layer fire safety suit, shoes and gloves? Compare what they had to PAS or VRA was a good point someone brought up.

All these and more might some day be asked in court. The operators should address them ASAP or the fair board might do it for them. My 2 centavos.

PER KERRY

Kerry Novak Mccall I am at the hospital with Johnny for the night. He is doing good and counting down to Friday. He had wound care today and his donor sites need to dry out so they can remove the last bandage. He asked for no visitors today. We will see how he feels tomorrow.

Posted By: LETS GET DIRTY #10T on October 21 2009 at 11:09:39 PM PER KERRY Kerry Novak Mccall I am at the hospital with Johnny for the night. He is doing good and counting down to Friday. He had wound care today and his donor sites need to dry out so they can remove the last bandage. He asked for no visitors today. We will see how he feels tomorrow.

a 4.6 liter AFF w/CO2 3 nozzle onboard fire system is about $300 complete, and about 1 hour to install with simple tools.

Get one on your cars, Henry Wesoloski's firey crash at PAS convinced us 2 years ago.

A driver shouldn't have to rely on someone else to put a fire out, unless he is unconsious, or doesn't have a system

IMO

hogracer3d,your response is a perfect example of why you ask for professional knowledgeable help....first I find it distasteful that you reply to a post on the update of the condition of an injured racer..its not his fault he got injured........Mccall was racing a sprint car..open cockpit-pressurised fuel injected-burning alcohol...any professional will tell you there are different challenges to that type of fire....thats why it would be nice to have a pro help create a program and training for any track worker who may be put in the position of dealing with such a fire...........by the way ,I'm sure you have a fire extinguisher at your home - but you still pay taxes for a fire department ,maybe you don't trust your 4.6 litre to get the job done.....those people working infeild need the best equipment possible to get the job done..maybe you can forego buying a couple a tires for the next race and kick a few bucks into the pot to help get that equipment..maybe some fans will not only feel compassion for this drivers pain but worry about the next fire and the outcome of that -kick a few bucks in? Victorville could be the safest track to race at in the country ..with a little help...come on the track charges$10 admission.they love racing-they aren't getting rich

Ok here it goes folks, Victorville Auto Raceway has been sitting back and watching all that has been said on the forums and been wondering how long all this was going to go on before someone actually asked for the facts. So here we are to post the facts and hopefully put a stop to the rumors on the safety of the track.

1. First off all of the chemical was not used nor was most of it on the fire.

2. Total response time as noted on the track video and track photographers pictures from the point the driver pulled infield and he was out on the ground was a total of 60 seconds not hours or mins like it sounds on here.

3. Yes we have the proper Chemical and plenty of ready available extinguishers. However anyone that would like to raise money and or donate more safety equipment or such to the track would be appreciated, as you can never have enough.

4. as for the certification of our fire/EMT safety crew. Insurance requires that we have 2 of each. We had 2 fire certified, 3 emt certified, and one paramedic certified on staff that night.

Not sure if I have addressed all the rumors or questions. But please feel free to call if you have any other concerns or questions.. Thank You Victorville Auto Raceway

"Victorville Auto Raceway has been sitting back and watching all that has been said on the forums and been wondering how long all this was going to go on before someone actually asked for the facts. So here we are to post the facts and hopefully put a stop to the rumors on the safety of the track."

Mike: Unfortunately, what you're describing relative to VAS and fan opinion describes a good 50% of the stuff on this forum. That's not Lance's fault. He tries to run an info exchange and allow First Amendment expression. But like Internet forums pretty much everywhere (even on "functional human development," I have discovered), there are always yahoo's who have nothing else to do all day but "express" themselves. You get the picture.

Thanks for getting the facts out. Some of us actually appreciate that.

(Okay, boys; get your flamethrowers out and go for it. Hahahaha.)

60 seconds is a life time when your in the car and it is on fire. Response time is critical.

Thanks to the Victorville promoter for the track's side of this unfortunate incident.

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

my response to Victorville is...you tube..type -thousands watch racetrack rescue.....put your guys in fire suits and strive for excellence,not just meet some ins. companies minimum requirements.....2 layer firesuits range offer from 18 to 28 seconds of protection...lead or be an underachiever-your choice...i've seen Perris and Ventura meet Knoxville's high standard.......2o seconds and they had to run to the car on the track....I figure $1200-1500 worth of equipment and a little practice/training you could have a crack team...you might be right about the blowhards on the board though-doesn't seem like any are willing to help,just talk crap...I said I'd kick a $100 in,does'nt anyone else really care about the racers they profess to admire

race

If you are going to take up a collection I will donate a $100

Grady

. 

My post was not distastful in the least, mearly a suggestion to make your own cars as safe as possible at a minimum and not to replace the need for emergency personnel.

A Auquous Foam system with CO2 like I suggested should be just fine (as a minimum)

A sprint car huh?, you mean just like the kind I sponsored, crew'd, and Michael Smith drove to many 360 victories?

Why would the fuel system be pressurized, was it still running?

Did have a Wolfie valve installed? and if not why?

IMO, most leaks in that area are due to a maintinance issue, low quality parts or crash damage.

Is the bladder in date? and certified?

No, I don't have a clue what they are, but I guarantee I could put one on a sprint car in a hour or less.

And yes, professional advice is always good

I stand by what I said

www.firecharger.com

DT

PER KERRY

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Kerry Novak Mccall Johnny got all of his staples removed this morning. Then they let him come home. Home sweet home. It has been a long 10 days and we are so glad to be home. Melanie really missed her brother. Robert and I am pretty tired and can hopefully get some sleep tonight.