Fatality on Exeter Trial

[threespires]

Very sad news of a Marlin rolling on Wooston Steep trapping the driver who died.

It seems the car was backing down the hill and the brakes failed.

This happened to me years ago on a trial with the car carrering backwards down the hill when the brake line got punctured. We were lucky not to roll or hit anything.

Very frightening and in this case ending with tragic results.

Condolences to the family and friends.

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/investigatio...

[Trev450]

Very tragic and in a branch of our sport that is not usually considered high-risk.

[threespires]

Yes absolutely. Although I must say that I'm surprised it's not more common for cars to roll considering how much weight is put in the back.

Very sad news.

More here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-3854725...

[threespires]

I notice from the BBC photo the car is without a roll bar.

[Trev450]

threespires said:

I notice from the BBC photo the car is without a roll bar.

That would have probably been hugely beneficial had the driver been wearing a seat belt, but the article suggests that wasn't the case.

[Willhire89]

threespires said:

I notice from the BBC photo the car is without a roll bar.

Yes - but the fixed screen is intact suggesting it may have outside of the car where the driver was trapped

[epoch911]

Very sad to hear a driver has lost his life and sincere condolences to all involved. We competed in the Exeter again this year but didn't hear about this until after we had finished so it came as a bit of a shock as spirits were very high up til then.

I also feel very sorry for the marshals and organisers…they work tirelessly to make this event a pretty unique experience and I imagine it's devastated everyone involved. They have been aware for some time that sliding back down hill after failing a section is potentially the most dangerous part of the challenging sections (especially on Simms hill) and have worked very hard to ensure that safety is paramount. The marshals have been superb in instructing competitors on the hills not to use their footbrake on the reverse down as it just locks the wheels and removes any control (and has caused cars to roll in the past), but if this chap's brake line has failed, there would have been nothing they could do.

Very sad news

Ant

[threespires]

Willhire89 said:

Yes - but the fixed screen is intact suggesting it may have outside of the car where the driver was trapped

Good point, thank you

[heebeegeetee]

This is terribly sad news.

Time for a reminder of how great trialling is, with a replay of that great spot on Fifth Gear.

https://youtu.be/pOB8GThr218

[Willhire89]

A bit of the late Jim Diffey in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoXN2HIcAmg

[threespires]

Trev450 said:

threespires said:

I notice from the BBC photo the car is without a roll bar.

That would have probably been hugely beneficial had the driver been wearing a seat belt, but the article suggests that wasn't the case.

Belts are not worn going up the hill as one needs to 'bounce' and of course one would not wear them backing down.