Man Leaps From Speedway Inferno (Video Too) (Read 5,733 times)

[Zach11m]

Current Bay of Plenty Times paper (front page) reports the following:

BLAZE: Baypark's largest crowd of the season watched in horror on Saturday night as flames engulfed a demolition derby car while driver Louis MacDonald battled to get out
By Colin Smith

A Demolition derby driver who thought it was too hot on saturday night to race in overalls discovered things got alot hotter when his car eruped in flames at baypark speedway.

tauranga's Louis MacDonald (26) is now in Waikato hospital with burns to his arms cause he decided to drive in the derby wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

His car and equipment including overalls were checked before the race but speedway promoter Willie Kay said MacDonald had not worn them "It seems he got too hot sitting in his overalls so he got out of the car before the start and took them off and drove in his jeans and a t-shirt his overalls were behind the seat," Mr Kay said.

The entire cabin of the Nissan Skyline was engulfed in flames for a few seconds before MacDonald bailed out through the passenger side window.

track First Aid Staff used large buckets of water to immerse MacDonalds arms.

He was able to wave to the crowd as he walked to the ambulance.

"its very fortunate that he was as lucky as he was stupid," Mr Kay said.

"The report we've had back is he has some moderatly serious burns mainly to his left arm.

"The burns are not believed to be life threatening all the demolition derby cars and drivers' safety equipment had earlier been checked by officials.

The track is now reviewing that system before the next derby on march 7.

"We will have to put even more stringent checks in place next time." Mr Kay said.

"It's the first time we've had someone side-step the system like that. He beat our system so we'll have to improve it. Having said that, 99 per cent of the people we have are responsible and make the effort to meet or exceed the safety requirements.

"This was a wake up call that not everyone understands the dangers and is prepared ti meet the rules we have in place."

The demo derby and the earlier caravan derby race novelty events attracted the largest crowd of the season to Baypark.

Drivers from the Metalman Recyclers team claimed both events. Phillip Scandlyn won the caravan race and Michael Lowe in a Holden Commodore was the last of about 75 cars mobile at the end of the demo derby.

Wow that was alot to type out as its not currently online yet

[Porky]

what an absolute wally for not wearing his overalls. gees that peaves me off, gives speedway and demo derbys a bad name because one idiot couldn't put his overalls on!!

[mike88g]

Why was any driver in that type of event even allowed to racewithout having a belt or helmet check etc done before entering the track? This would have shown that he was inadequately prepared for racing.
Our Clerk of the Course and scrutineers stand at or near the pit gate and look at the cars and drivers as they are going out to the track.

[Deleted]

well he already in hospital so someone go smack him in the head, what a dick

[Zach11m]

Jan 12, 2009 17:41:31 GMT 12 Porky said:

what an absolute wally for not wearing his overalls. gees that peaves me off, gives speedway and demo derbys a bad name because one idiot couldn't put his overalls on!!

Sure does, like the media a while back naming speedway for a death when it was a rally incident also the burnt driver said it was too hot to wear the overall, well obviously it got even hotter!! bet he's wishing he had worn them now.

[FantomFan]

Would standard overalls have made any difference?

Derby rules just state 'All drivers must wear full length, long sleeved overalls NOT NYLON'

[bluntslider]

it said in the program on saturday that the next demo (7/3/09) would have a ramp on the track so some carnage is expected there

[cabbydave]

fair enough the guy must be a plonker but the systems at the racetrack must not be too tight

[Porky]

Jan 12, 2009 18:25:57 GMT 12 bluntslider said:

it said in the program on saturday that the next demo (7/3/09) would have a ramp on the track so some carnage is expected there

oh yeah... the ramp race will be cool! ;D ;D

[Speedway Central (David)]

Were was the Gate Marshall checking drivers as they enter track?

[Dirt_Fan]

makes you wonder doesnt it
i wanted to enter a derby but not to sure now
might go that little bit extra and put a kill switch on the fuel pump.
should be compulsory as it could save ALOT of hassle

[sonic33]

I thort the derby drivers to cars call was real early. Maybe that was behind the reason to dump the overalls. Maybe BP will change their procedures now. I don't think it was their fault. Stupidity on the driver. I bet bp will check belts and overalls next derby.

Real unlucky that the one guy that ditched overalls got burnt. I have always thought that derbies are more dangerous than racing normal speedway.

Man fire is one of the real risks of a derby, as sumone said, I bet he is wishing he wore the overalls

[Dirt_Fan]

its hard to say that speedway racing is safer than a demo derby.
yes the cars are desinged to hit but they can still roll or catch alight.
i think its just a rare occasion and very ironic/sad that it happened to someone who made the mistake to not wear his overalls.
perhaps more safety requirements need to be inforced.
like i mentioned if i enter one i will be putting a simple(i assume)kill switch for the fuel pump.first sign of a fire i kill the fuel pump and theres no more fuel for a fire.

[wayne]

the dude gets no sympathy from me just a bloody idiot , i have done 3 derbys before i got my stockcar and had a big fire in the first one i did but each time i went out on the the track there was someone there checking as you went out the gate

[Murray Guy (Grandad)]

The driver took a risk and is paying the price. Jeans, overalls, likely no different outcome and I believe is clouding the real issue.
What caused the fire?
Was it responded to quickly and efficiently?
Why aren't checks carried out?

Baypark does not physically check each driver, as was always the case. The rep asks or signals to remind drivers of being belted up. Quite adequate for regular competitors.

I notice at tracks around the country a variety of checking options from nothing at all to a tug on your belts, neck brace, steering wheel etc.

I'm told that some tracks have reduced or removed the personal checks to remove liability from the track and or SNZ. AMAZING!

In my opinion the tracks do have an obligation to ensure competitors in derbys take there safety seriously as more often than not these folk are not regular racers and do not appreciate the degree of risk involved in motorsport!
We are inviting visitors into our domain and it is irresponsible on our part NOT to best ensure they are protected (even from themselves). This is not about OSH, this is about being responsible and accountable.

[Speedway Central (David)]

could they have it so all demo derby car must have there own fire extinguisher

[mummiof2]

Jan 12, 2009 20:41:20 GMT 12 Speedway Central (David) said:

could they have it so all demo derby car must have there own fire extinguisher

With sayng that, we al know how fast a car can go up in flames. How can the driver have time to take off their belts release the extingisher, pull the pin and start putting out the fire all befoe being engulfed themselves??? Just a thought

[Devilracer]

No sympathy from me, ive done 11 derbies, and had 3 fires, all of which were contained to the engine bay. I have always worn flamecrusher overalls, gloves, balaclava and boots.

As for checks, yes a check should have been done as the driver went out. But in Australia nobody dares to check belts as if something was to happen to a driver the person checking would be sued.
Maybe Baypark just needs to do things differently.

[Murray Guy (Grandad)]

The interior of the car (driver compartment) should provide reasonable protection for 30 plus seconds. Fires always look spectacular for spectators. Our race vehicles do not carry compulsory extinguishers.
Very important the firewall is sealed, flameproof!

[newbeee]

Silly boy really.. Before doing my first derby my partner drummed in SAFETY, SAFETY and more safety to the point of wanting to time me to see how fast I could get out if needed. OMG. In saying all that I didn't need to. Had heaps of fun, now hooked. At wfg we were all checked again while sitting on the dummy grid waiting to go out. I felt safer in that derby car than leaving my driverway to join the other loonies on our roads.