Monday, August 24, 2009

Damn it, racing safety matters!

Once in awhile, you get that "big wind" that stirs you to the bones and makes you almost manic in your fervor for whatever...it is that way for me concerning racing safety. Most days I can get through the days without getting carried away...today is not one of those days!

Last Thursday, I met with a friend I have not seen for quite awhile...Mike Fedorcak of Yoder, IN...yep, he is THAT guy, who sold Tony Stewart one of his famed Munchkins midgets. Mike is a racer...through and through. I was there to consult with Mike about a racing safety project I am working on...we got talking about his near fatal fire of over 20 years ago...what went well and what did not...I will spare you the details now, perhaps another blog entry. Let me summarize with this... #1 using full containment seats prevent burns! #2 wearing a good firesuit matters! #3 using a water -based extinguishing agent, especially with an additive matters! #4 training and practice for safety teams matter! #5 what we do well, or do poorly, matters!

Mike was severely burned in a nasty crash...he has the scars to prove it...17 surgeries and a different perspective on a number of issues later, Mike still races occasionally and owns a fabricating business...and cares about the things I mentioned above.

WHAT WE DO IN RACING SAFETY MATTERS! NEVER DOUBT IT.

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