SAFETY FIRST - A Word of Caution

A WORD OF CAUTION

By David Nehrbass

What do we do when our race comes to that unexpected early end?

Over the last several years we have had numerous injuries to racers that resulted after their vehicle broke down, crashed, or became disabled at a race. Almost always, the leading contributing factor is dust or some other form of poor visibility. We have seen cars struck by other cars while stopped, and even people struck by cars while getting out or performing repairs near the course. Injuries have ranged from bruises and broken bones to unfortunate fatalities of some of our off-road family. In today’s topics in Safety First, let’s examine a few types of situations and possibly learn from them.

Mechanical / Tire Changes:

Pull well off the course. Preferably, try and make sure the side you are working on is the side away from the active racecourse to help you and your driver stay safe. Activate your Racing Trax Hazard alert if you have a unit on board.

Extremely dusty conditions can often contribute to on-course hazards. Photo by Jason Zindroski - HighRev Photography

This sends out a signal to other racers of a stopped vehicle on the course. While in offroad racing time is of the essence, please do yourself a favor and do not ever unbuckle until you are safely stopped and sure there is not a vehicle immediately following you in the dust. As soon as possible, establish communication with Best In The Desert on their relay channel and let them know your vehicle number, approximate location, and if you need help. In many cases, even a tire change, we might get another vehicle calling in saying they saw a car stopped. This allows us to know if we need someone there to help you or if it is a quick fi x and you are back under way. Since your vehicle may have a fl at, or broken suspension component, it may be stirring up more dust than normal and not be viewed the same as many racers used to watching dust expect. We have seen many vehicles struck or rolled as they are pulling off for a faster racer. Once your repairs are completed, make sure you are completely strapped in and in a clear spot before safely rejoining the racecourse. Never blindly jump onto an active course without looking for oncoming racers. It is not necessary to turn off your hazard, as once you start racing again the unit will calculate your miles per hour and determine you are no longer in hazard mode. Please, again, let Best In The Desert know on the radio that you are back racing, and no additional help is needed.

Reduced vision is a constant battle in desert racing. Photo by RnR Photo

If you are not able to effect repairs, make sure the vehicle is as far away from course as it needs to be safe and keep yourself well clear of the course. Again, notify Best In The Desert that you are broken and need retrieval when available. Never cross in the dust in a vehicle or on foot and believe it or not, those refl ective triangles work better than you realize when you place them further than the rear bumper of your race vehicle!

Accident on Course:

The majority of the time, racers involved in a simple accident have either minor or no injuries when they are in a single vehicle accident, or even when crashing with another race vehicle. It is far more common that the injuries happen and are more severe after the initial accident, when racers are unstrapped and attempting to get out of their vehicle. This is by far the most critical moment of off-road racing. In many cases, strapped in your safety gear in a race vehicle is the safest place you can be. Obviously, position, location, hazards and even vehicle types can have very different outcomes in each situation. Many are not aware that Racing Trax automatically notifi es the sanction body on many situations such as Roll Over, High G Out, or Sudden Stops. This notifi cation comes to Radio Relay, Race Operations and the Rescue Director for the event. We are also notifi ed anytime a mechanical or medical panic button is pushed. It is however, not 100% reliable for every situation. Once you are in an accident in the race, immediately hit your hazard button before unstrapping your belts. Also, if communications are still working, try and notify Best in the Desert of your location and if you think you need medical attention. If you need medical, hit your medical alert. All of this should take place before you get out of the vehicle or remove your belts and helmet.

As long as there is no fi re present, try and be cautious and methodical in your exit of the vehicle. Understand that shifting weight of the body may not only affect your belts, but where you are going to fall in the vehicle if you aren’t right side up. The shifting weight in the vehicle can also affect the stability of the vehicle. Work together as a team and brace each other to get out safely. Once out of the vehicle, stay clear of the course, try and warn oncoming racers, and wait for help from Best In The Desert or other race vehicles that may stop. Keep your helmet on until you are safely away from the racecourse. After a few minutes, evaluate yourself and others involved and make sure adrenaline isn’t hiding any serious problems. Do you know where you are? Do you know who you are? Any numbness, tingling? Back pain? Headaches? Make sure Best In The Desert knows if this changes at any point while waiting for resources. We want to make sure we get the most appropriate resource to you safely and quickly each time.

Racing is obviously dangerous, and we have all lost some friends over the years. We want everyone involved to have an amazing time and leave each race with nothing but great memories and stories to tell.

Until next time, Race Safely!