Updated 24 Mar 10:
Injured NHRA Arizona Nationals Spectator Dies – Competition Plus.com – February 21, 2010
Arizona Dragster Crash Kills Spectator – kpho.com – Feb 21, 2010 – Video
Statement from NHRA:
“A woman who was struck by a tire earlier today at the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird International Raceway was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital this evening. The tire became detached from Antron Brown’s dragster following an incident during the first round of eliminations. Brown was not injured.
“NHRA is investigating the incident. The entire NHRA community is deeply saddened by today’s incident and sends its thoughts and prayers to the woman’s family and friends.”
Source: http://www.nhra.com/story/2010/2/21/2010-phoenix-sunday/
DSR ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING SUNDAY’S ACCIDENT – Competition Plus.com – 22 Feb 10
The Disaster Nationals By Jeff Burk
“…As far as I can find there isn’t another instance in history of professional drag racing where a wheel and tire assembly have gone into the pits causing injury or death. As far as why the wheel came off, that is being investigated but the general consensus among the racecar builders I’ve talked to is that it was a random failure and not the start of a trend…”
Edwards & Young comment: Random failure? If that is the “consensus” look forward to future such “failures” which our sport can ill afford!
Phoenix Accident Raises Questions, Creates Speculation – Competition Plus.com – February 26, 2010
NHRA ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF PHOENIX WHEEL INVESTIGATION – Competition Plus.com – March 23, 2010
It appears the wheel studs sheared off again…
This is tragic, and reminds me of when the T/F cars where having catastrophic clutch explosions years back that injured spectators. Improvements in the clutch and scattershields helped eliminate that problem.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the lady who was killed and any others that were injured.
I would like to concur with the statement that this is truly tragic. Perhaps this will create a more sense of urgency on the part of NHRA to slow these cars down and do it soon!
I like anyone else truly love the speed and all but not at the expense of lives being lost. It is time for NHRA to quit worrying about upsetting sponsors, racers or even the fans and take the necessary steps to get this done.
They also need to be more forthcoming with the results of the findings when these incidents occur but I bet it has to do with the legal ramifications. I am not 100% sold that it is just a wheel issue, I think there might be issues with the studs and perhaps there needs to be stress tests done over time since the wheel/tires are taken off repeatedly.
In past incidents there has been focus on the wheels. I believe the focus needs to be centered on the studs. One can only imagine the amount of stress on five wheel studs when these cars go into tire shake!
Perhaps more studs are the answer? But as we know you are always dealing with the weakest link in the drive-train. When you beef up a weakness you tend to lean on it harder until the next weakest link raises it ugly head.
Regardless, a solution must be found quickly because we, as a sport, can NOT accept deaths or injuries to spectators who just want to go watch a racing event. Nor will the sponsors or race teams accept such tragic days for long.
I cannot imagine how Antron must feel. I’m sure he is devastated by this tragedy.
Ref: “Phoenix Accident Raises Questions, Creates Speculation” above, I’m glad to see that someone seems to be using common sense.
The video clearly shows the studs are gone. We know the car experienced severe tire shake. The studs are the logical place to start looking for the failure, but certainly other causes should not be ruled out until the investigation is completed.
Ref. “NHRA ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF PHOENIX WHEEL INVESTIGATION” above, I’m glad to see some logic being used here.
As we stated early on, the severe tire shake led to the studs failing. Perhaps larger studs and/or more of them would help eliminate the problem?