![Photo](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/profile/photo-thumb-71.jpg?_r=0)
Sad News - Dan Wheldon Killed
#1
Posted 10-16-2011 04:12 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
Brimtek Motorsports
Team Four Racing
![Donor - Made PayPal donation Donor - Made PayPal donation](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/donor.png)
![Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/verified-driver.png)
#2
Posted 10-16-2011 04:13 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
#3
Posted 10-16-2011 04:22 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
Danny
Danny Steyn Racing | DSR YouTube Channel
Danny Steyn Photography | Adept Studios | Ocean Machinery | OPM Autosports | Rossini Racing Engines | G-Loc Brakes |
2 x SCCA Runoffs Champ | 1 x NASA National Champ | 6 x June Sprints Champ | 10 x ARRC Champ
1 x SCCA Super Sweep | 2 x Triple Crown | 4 x Hoosier Super Tour Points Champ | 6 x Majors Points Champ | 5 x SEDiv Driver of the Year
![June Sprints winner - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner - June Sprints winner](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/junesprints.png)
![Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/series-champ.png)
![ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/arrc-champ.png)
![We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/won-race.png)
![Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/verified-driver.png)
![NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/nasaChamps.png)
![June Sprints winner - June Sprints winner June Sprints winner - June Sprints winner](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/junesprints.png)
![ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/arrc-champ.png)
![ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/arrc-champ.png)
![Majors Winner - Majors Winner -](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/sccamajors.png)
![BFG Supertour Winner - BFG Supertour Winner -](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/supertour.png)
#4
Posted 10-16-2011 04:36 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
#5
Posted 10-16-2011 04:42 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
#6
Posted 10-16-2011 05:01 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
Former driver
![Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/verified-driver.png)
#7
Posted 10-16-2011 06:13 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
#8
Posted 10-16-2011 06:35 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
SM #3
![Donor - Made PayPal donation Donor - Made PayPal donation](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/donor.png)
![Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/verified-driver.png)
#9
Posted 10-16-2011 07:54 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
That crash was hard to watch. Tribute was incredibly classy and moving. A sobering reminder that even when all the safety equipment does its job, racing is dangerous.
All the safety equipment can't change the fact that they are in openwheel cars on a big fricking oval. I just don't get IRL.
- Leanne Beane likes this
![Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/verified-driver.png)
![Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill - Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill - Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/25hours.png)
![We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/won-race.png)
#10
Posted 10-16-2011 08:28 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
Blake Clements
http://www.blakeclements.com - Driver Coaching, Consulting, & Video/Data Analysis.
OPM Autosports/SP Induction Systems/X-Factor Racing/G-Loc Brakes/Traqmate/Bell Helmets
![Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/series-champ.png)
![Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/verified-driver.png)
![BFG Supertour Winner - BFG Supertour Winner -](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/supertour.png)
#11
Posted 10-16-2011 08:32 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
All the safety equipment can't change the fact that they are in openwheel cars on a fricking oval. I just don't get IRL.
Amen! Look at how many folks have gotten maimed or killed in the IRL since 1996. Sam Schmidt in a wheel chair, kenny Barack broke his back, Stan fox was almost killed (died of other reasons), etc. Remember some years ago when they cancelled the Texas race because speeds were too high and drivers were getting dizzy?
Racing in the IRL on an oval is one step short of Russian roulette. Wheldon's death didn't have to happen.
#12
Posted 10-16-2011 09:01 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
Ernie Francis Jr.
www.ErnieFrancisJrRacing.com
Pirelli World Challenge TCB/GTS Driver
![We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/won-race.png)
![Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/verified-driver.png)
![We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/won-race.png)
#13
Posted 10-16-2011 09:42 PM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
Pat
![Broken record - You are starting to sound like a broken record. Broken record - You are starting to sound like a broken record.](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/broken-record.png)
![Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/verified-driver.png)
![Broken record - You are starting to sound like a broken record. Broken record - You are starting to sound like a broken record.](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/broken-record.png)
#14
Posted 10-17-2011 06:38 AM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
Amen! Look at how many folks have gotten maimed or killed in the IRL since 1996. Sam Schmidt in a wheel chair, kenny Barack broke his back, Stan fox was almost killed (died of other reasons), etc. Remember some years ago when they cancelled the Texas race because speeds were too high and drivers were getting dizzy?
Racing in the IRL on an oval is one step short of Russian roulette. Wheldon's death didn't have to happen.
Agree, I can't even watch IRL... It's like an accident waiting to happen, is that really what the fans want?
Alex Bolanos - #57
Sponsored by Autotechnik, Momo USA, Apex Alignment, and Amazon.com
![Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/series-champ.png)
![Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/verified-driver.png)
![Majors Winner - Majors Winner -](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/sccamajors.png)
![We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/won-race.png)
![NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/nasaChamps.png)
#15
Posted 10-17-2011 06:59 AM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
#16
Posted 10-17-2011 07:26 AM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
Agree, I can't even watch IRL... It's like an accident waiting to happen
And this is different than a Spec Miata race how?
Don't kid yourself - we've been real lucky so far.
![Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/instigator.png)
#17
Posted 10-17-2011 07:29 AM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
Phew...... that was a close one!
Tony Senese
NASA-NE SM Director
'06, '08, '11, '12, '13, '14
NASA-NE SM champ
![Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/verified-driver.png)
#18
Posted 10-17-2011 07:55 AM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
Rick
2009, 2010 & 2011 SCCA Great Lakes Div. Reg. SM Champ
2006, 2009, 2010 & 2011 Cincy SCCA Reg. Driver of the year
Powered by: Stewart Engines
Set up by: RAFT Motorsports
SM: The safest race car in the world. It can just
barely kill you.
![Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/instigator.png)
![We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/won-race.png)
![Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/series-champ.png)
![Donor - Made PayPal donation Donor - Made PayPal donation](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/donor.png)
![Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver](https://mazdaracers.com/uploads/awards/verified-driver.png)
#19
Posted 10-17-2011 08:17 AM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
#20
Posted 10-17-2011 08:33 AM
![](https://mazdaracers.com/public/style_images/infinite/post_offline.png)
And this is different than a Spec Miata race how?
Don't kid yourself - we've been real lucky so far.
That's true that we've been lucky. But it is totally different than Spec Miata in a few respects. First, Indycars were going around Las VEgas flat out all the way around. So, 200 mph is not sustainable unless everyone is content to hold their position for the whole race. That makes passing difficult and risky. Second, we have roll cages. We are only driving up to 120mph or so, with full cages. Third, we get runoff areas, gravel traps, and tire barriers. Those guys get safer barriers and concrete. Forth, compare average speeds on a road course lap v. on an oval.
Either these cars need to be slowed down or they need to stop racing ovals. Otherwise, we can expect another fatality in the next few years.
I think the better analogy would be NASCAR, but even they got smart with the safety features of the COT.
When watching oval racing, I feel like we have a weight on a string that we are swinging over our head in a crowded room. The string is going to fail and someone will get hurt, those are certain in every single case.
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users