Bad Wreck at California Off Road Race

[Codeman]

In Mexico at some races this is a common occurrence and they kind of shrug it off. Now with this ony the BLM is going to be all over it and sadly probably limit fans to experience the rush of a life time.

 

[DeluxF150]

"You're at your own risk out here. You are in the middle off the desert. People were way too close and they should have known. You can't really hold anyone at fault. It's just a horrible, horrible accident."

Its true. I go to these events often and I can never get over how close some people get to the track and stay there. I will go up to the track to get pics but all our vehicles are about 100-150 feet back. There is a video online of the incident (does not actually show the accident), in it you can see that the crowd was right on the edge of the track. Not even enough room to to run 2 wide.

The event organizers do have safety guidelines in place and the course is marked.

I was at the race this weekend, fortunately I was about a mile or so down the track (at start/finish) so I did not see the accident. I heard it on the race radios of the people next to us though. It was crazy, an instant mood change all over the desert. Once we found out what happened we headed to the "rockpile" (rockpile is about 200 yards from the accident) We watched with hundreds of other people as the helicopters, fire trucks, paramedics and police all filed in. I was able to listen to the police scanner on my iPhone so we got first hand info on all that was going on. In total there were 9 helicopters and over 30 other emergency personnel on scene.

We spoke to one guy who was in total shock over the whole thing. He said he was about 6 feet from the truck when it flipped. He repeated some of the thing he saw, that I wont share.

There were so many people there that for at least 4 hours there was a constant line of people leaving. After about 3 hours some of the emergency personnel started to depart.

I feel terrible for all that were involved. Those who lost their life, those who had to see it first hand and their families. I have heard some very detailed and gory stories from people that were at the race with us, but who actually saw it. I don't think I would ever be able to get some of those images out of my head.

 

[Zembonez]

It was the Misery truck that flipped into the crowd. Ironic and tragic for the driver.

 

[Matt_]

It really is sad. My heart goes out to the families.

It's amazing at how many people don't think or comprehend the risks they're taking at these events.... I think there's a false sense of "safety", sort of like the "immortal" syndrome that teenagers and young adults (myself included at times) have. Hitting a bump wrong, a blown tire, a broken tie-rod, etc are all simple and very likely things that could happen that would send a vehicle into a crowd. I could never stand that close to such an event.

 

[07FX4Chick]

I've seen one of these races, first hand, but during daylight hours. There was NO WAY I was going to stand so close to those truck flying by doing 70+ mph! Sorry to here it happened, but the spectators are just too damn close, I think.......

I agree with Jim, there will probably be many changes due to this

 

[Zembonez]

After people go to a dozen events and nothing happens, they let down their guard and think it's safe. Sadly, events such as this one prove otherwise. Crowds will be more cautious for a while but if allowed to do so... they will be right back next to the track in a year or two.

Until it happens again.

 

[Codeman]

The truck broke the tie rod upon landing and than snapped a trailing arm which cause the truck to dart off course and into the crowd. Also once the dust settled the driver and co driver were no where to be found. Guess they ran out of fear? But they have nothing to be held accountable for, as it was a mechanical failure. I see big BIG changes now as this is the worst wreck in a long time in the off road industry. Yet this is the most adrenaline motorsports as you are near inches to the trucks.

 

[Zembonez]

It's a horrible thing for the driver AND the families of the dead. Nobody went there to run into the crowd or die that day. This kind of tragic accident is just horrible. Nobody wins.

Hopefully they will move the crowds back 50 feet or so. That way they can still get the thrill of the sport, but be somewhat safe in the event of another mishap.

 

[Codeman]

I am thinking at least 200 ft as the rocks, boulder these things throw can go the distance. Yet than again need to funds for the safety fence, as some tard will push the limits and get 5 ft away again.

 

[DeluxF150]

The truck broke the tie rod upon landing and than snapped a trailing arm which cause the truck to dart off course and into the crowd. Also once the dust settled the driver and co driver were no where to be found. Guess they ran out of fear? But they have nothing to be held accountable for, as it was a mechanical failure. I see big BIG changes now as this is the worst wreck in a long time in the off road industry. Yet this is the most adrenaline motorsports as you are near inches to the trucks.

I hadn't heard about the mechanical failure good to know it wasn't just driver error, unless they broke due to the crash.
I was watching a video where the drive was on the ground unconscious, I also heard a few people say that they fled the scene because people started to throw rocks at them. I honestly do not believe that anyone was throwing rocks, the off road community is pretty tight and a cool crowd. I don't see anyone chuckin rocks

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