California 200 crash - many dead

[scenario8]

I bet this wasn't pretty.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10978569

Thoughts to the families.

[Hedders]

Jesus, not good

[SystemParanoia]

Tragic... but I hope it doesn't effect the future of the race

[Jasandjules]

Oh no, that's not good.

I guess it is always a real risk when crowds are awfully close to the "action" - I must say I am surprised far more people aren't killed watching WRC etc.

[scenario8]

SystemParanoia said:

Tragic... but I hope it doesn't effect the future of the race

I imagine it will.

[Laurel Green]

The BBC news this morning said ten dead - not good.

[turbobloke]

scenario8 said:

SystemParanoia said:

Tragic... but I hope it doesn't effect the future of the race

I imagine it will.

Le Mans survived 1955, but today is indeed different.

Both very tragic events.

[Eric Mc]

But the Mille Miglia didn't survive 1957 - which this seems to be on a similar scale.

[turbobloke]

Eric Mc said:

But the Mille Miglia didn't survive 1957 - which this seems to be on a similar scale.

Group B...

What they print on the back of tickets even imaginary ones is so very true.

[MonkeyHanger]

Jasandjules said:

I must say I am surprised far more people aren't killed watching WRC etc.

Compared to the Group B days the WRC is about as safe it gets. They cancel stages if a Spectator farts in the wrong direction.

No doubt the Law suits will fly after this accident.

[Pints]

While condolences go out to the families, it's still motorsport which comes with risks for both participants and spectators (yes, check your ticket). I've been hit by flying debris and risked injury by choosing ringside seats at events but I never bhed or took legal action. Now that I have a family and responsibilities, I just make sure I'm further from the action. It'd be a pity to see the event taken off the calendar.
Just my 5p.

[nelly1]

Beeb said:

Tens of thousands of spectators attend the annual race and stand close to the path of the off-road vehicles, sometimes with little or no protection.

Beeb then said:

The driver was not injured in the crash and fled the scene to avoid an angry crowd who began throwing rocks at him, reports said.

So they line the course as close as possible to the cars, and when it goes tits-up they throw rocks at the driver?

[Ozzie Osmond]

Very sad.

I'm always amazed, and very pleased, this hasn't happened in WRC.

[Animal]

There's another thread running in General Motorsport about this. If you go to the CNN website you can see a clip of the incident which doesn't anything graphic but shows you just how close people were to the course.

[odyssey2200]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Very sad.

I'm always amazed, and very pleased, this hasn't happened in WRC.

IIRC it was this type of tragedy that ended the group B cars and brought in some measure of crowd control.

As the guy in the video said, they are allowed to stand where ever the want.

I guess that will end at the very least

RIP to all those killed.

[dreamer75]

odyssey2200 said:

Ozzie Osmond said:

Very sad.

I'm always amazed, and very pleased, this hasn't happened in WRC.

IIRC it was this type of tragedy that ended the group B cars and brought in some measure of crowd control.

As the guy in the video said, they are allowed to stand where ever the want.

I guess that will end at the very least

RIP to all those killed.

WHenever I've marshalled a rally (including WRC) there are very specific areas where spectators cannot stand, and the marshals do their best to keep spectators in relatively safe places. I don't know what it is like in other countries, but at least in the GB rallies, spectator safety is a major consideration.

I didn't like the way that chap said "well they let us stand anywhere" - ok, but apply some common sense - motor sports are dangerous for competitors and spectators alike!

[agent006]

Ozzie Osmond said:

I'm always amazed, and very pleased, this hasn't happened in WRC.

If the UK round (well, wales) is anything to go by, spectators get herded into about 300 yards of suitably safe area per stage.

[odyssey2200]

dreamer75 said:

[ ok, but apply some common sense

Do you see your problem now?

I remember watching a Audi Quatro being driven flat out between a sea of people who just managed to part like waves at the last minute, Utter Madness!

I guess that trying to marshal an area the size of the California desert is going to be nigh on impossible.
Imagine trying to marshal all the areas that a spectator could turn up on the Dakar?

[rufusruffcutt]

agent006 said:

Ozzie Osmond said:

I'm always amazed, and very pleased, this hasn't happened in WRC.

If the UK round (well, wales) is anything to go by, spectators get herded into about 300 yards of suitably safe area per stage.

This was after Carlos Sainz hit spectators back in 2001.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/1674930.stm

[Rude-boy]

odyssey2200 said:

I remember watching a Audi Quatro being driven flat out between a sea of people who just managed to part like waves at the last minute, Utter Madness!

I recall talking to drivers who had to remove various errant digits and limbs at times due to the, usually Portuguese and others of Latin extraction, spectators trying to touch the car as it went past in the early 80's.