Expensive day at the track

[ORIGLS6]

We went to our local 1/8 mile track for a Nostalgia Day last Saturday. Some good friends, Joe Hendricks and Randy Bridges were there for some exibition runs against Dave Miller in his Nostalgia T/F car. Things were near perfect with a newly paved track and temps in the high 60s. Good air for making power. First pass, Randy blew the tires at the start (very uncommon for these guys) so they did their normal maintenance and headed back to the line for the second pass. The car hooked good and made a strong, straight pass , ......... until it hit the traps. Then HE!! broke loose. Randy said it was like staring into the sun, only hotter!
He hit the fire bottles and the chutes, then rode the brakes hard, hoping he was still on the track. Everything worked just like it should and he unbuckled and stepped out. He has some second degree burns on his hands but overall is fine. The wallets however, ........

Just before the Green

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m57/dmcumby/Havana%209%2024%2011/P9241740.jpg

And when it came back to the pits.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m57/dmcumby/Havana%209%2024%2011/P9241755.jpg

Not pretty.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m57/dmcumby/Havana%209%2024%2011/P9241774.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m57/dmcumby/Havana%209%2024%2011/P9241793.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m57/dmcumby/Havana%209%2024%2011/P9241790.jpg

Can't ever pay too much for a good fire suit! Boots were burnt too. They're already tossed aside.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m57/dmcumby/Havana%209%2024%2011/P9241762.jpg

This is what's left of a good fireproof jacket.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m57/dmcumby/Havana%209%2024%2011/P9241765.jpg


Note the GoPro mounted on the cage in the first photo. That should be some interesting video!!! Youtube clip here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGDMrfMdy8U&feature=related)

[sYc]

Wow... that sucks....good to hear the safety equipment and protective clothing did its job.. As they say a car cen be replaced...

[kwhizz]

Darn!!.........Hate to see that happen to anyone...... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif

[Schonyenko2]

Nomex is a wonderful thing.

[mockingbird812]

Mil. Air uses it too and it is great for flash fires.

[1970Ls6]

Sorry to hear that, but at least everyone was mostly unhurt and the safety equipment did the job.

[ORIGLS6]

Quick update: I talked to Randy Bridges tonite. He's healing quickly and should have the bandages removed in a few days. Everything is looking good, and Joe is already rounding up the parts to get the car going for next season. Randy said Joe told him, &quot;I've been doing this since I was 16 years old. I don't know how to quit&quot;.
These guys are truly 'Old School' racers, through and through!

Good to hear after seeing what happened.

We'll be heading over to Joe's shop next week to hang out with the crew for the evening. Almost every Wednesday night they get together at Joe's to work on the car, or just <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/bs.gif &amp; bench race. Joe has a full kitchen there and some of the grub that comes out of there is <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif. We've had fried chicken, Bar-B-Q, BLTs &amp; sweetcorn, and one night were treated to fresh fish, chicken strips, shrimp, fried green tomatoes and deep fried dill pickles!!!
I'll try to get some pix and (with Joe's permission) document a trip back in time as we walk through the shop. The stuff he has, and the tools he has, and the parts he's made, ......... unbelievable! For instance; have you ever seen a straight 6 Ford engine with Cleveland heads on it??? Think about it!

[Xplantdad]

Cool Dennis. Sounds like he is a great guy!


Did his GoPro video come out?

[ORIGLS6]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Xplantdad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Did his GoPro video come out? </div></div>

You tell me? Clicky (http://www.centralillinoisdragway.com/Nostalgia_Weekend_2011.html)

[Chevy454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORIGLS6</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Quick update: <span style="font-weight: bold">I talked to Randy Bridges tonite. He's healing quickly and should have the bandages removed in a few days. </span> Everything is looking good, and Joe is already rounding up the parts to get the car going for next season. Randy said Joe told him, &quot;I've been doing this since I was 16 years old. I don't know how to quit&quot;.
These guys are truly 'Old School' racers, through and through!

Good to hear after seeing what happened.

We'll be heading over to Joe's shop next week to hang out with the crew for the evening. Almost every Wednesday night they get together at Joe's to work on the car, or just <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/bs.gif &amp; bench race. Joe has a full kitchen there and some of the grub that comes out of there is <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif. We've had fried chicken, Bar-B-Q, BLTs &amp; sweetcorn, and one night were treated to fresh fish, chicken strips, shrimp, fried green tomatoes and deep fried dill pickles!!!
I'll try to get some pix and (with Joe's permission) document a trip back in time as we walk through the shop. The stuff he has, and the tools he has, and the parts he's made, ......... unbelievable! For instance; have you ever seen a straight 6 Ford engine with Cleveland heads on it??? Think about it! </div></div>
That's great news, it coulda been a lot worse!

[jannes_z-28]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORIGLS6</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Xplantdad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Did his GoPro video come out? </div></div>

You tell me? Clicky (http://www.centralillinoisdragway.com/Nostalgia_Weekend_2011.html) </div></div>

Looks like the camera ended up in the chute, you'll see it spinning in the end.

Jan