In 1977, I met a group of folks who would play a huge role in my racing safety career over the course of 30+ years. Dewayne Dimit, his brother Chuck, and senior crew chief Stan Poeppel were among the leaders of a racing safety group called Professional Track Services (PTS). I provided ambulance service to Baer Field Raceway in Fort Wayne for the 1977 season and had worked along side the PTS team throughout the season. Many memorable incidents came out of that season and perhaps we will go down the path some day. I learned much working about racing from my PTS friends and we developed a mutual respect.
The 1978 season did not start off as well...our EMS team discontinued our work at BFR. I was fortunate enough to be asked to come to work with PTS. Those guys were so far ahead of the rest of short-track safety it was amazing! Several of PTS's leader worked on-track fire at Indy...a couple were career firefighters...at least one was an Air National Guard firefighter...what a great combination of talent, experience, and training! PTS has provided coverage for virtually all the major sanctioning bodies at one time or another. Their specialties included all varieties of short-track racing and IHRA National Drag Racing events. One of the events I worked in 1978 was the DuQuoin event that I wrote a bit about in September.
The list all the areas where PTS pioneered would be lengthy. Techniques, procedures for fire/rescue/cleanup, the range of events covered, and use of personal protective clothing would be just a start on the list. The lessons that I and many others learned are still being used today.
I am proud to have learned from, worked with, and partied with the men and women of PTS. We sweated, bled, and cursed together for one reason...we were there for the drivers and the good of our sport. It was a great opportunity...and I am grateful for it.
Over thirty years ago, some guys from Indiana decided to do something positive about racing safety, especially short-track racing safety. All of racing is a little better because of the work they did...racing safety was not trendy or fashionable...racing safety was just plain hard work...definitely a "swimming upstream" experience. Thank you folks for all you have done.
RIP Sherrill, Don, Stan, and others...I pray God has a special place for folks who give their efforts so others lives are safer.
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