FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! By David Nehrbass
108 DirtVenture
One of the most challenging hazards that can occur anytime in Off Road Racing is the threat of Fire. Fire can damage vehicles, damage the terrain we race in and above all, injure racers, crew members, and bystanders. It will never be eliminated; however, how each and everyone of us responds to it, can decide if it is a quick incident or a catastrophic event. The simple act of pulling over to change a tire can result in a fire from dried brush and exposure to hot vehicle parts. Recently in Laughlin, a racer lost a tire and was forced to pull over. Within seconds, a fire started from the dried brush. Flames quickly spread and were inside the race vehicle from underneath. Fortunately, quick recognition, and responsive actions put a small fire out quickly. In off-road motorsports, racers and crew are exposed to many different types of fire hazards. The most obvious is high octane race fuels. Fuel in the vehicle, drums and jugs to fill them with, and even the method of fuel delivery for fueling vehicles are just some of the hazards. A simple spark can take a normal race day and turn it into a burned car and trip to the hospital. In pit areas, every team at every pit even when not fueling a race car, should have someone devoted to fire safety during pit stops. If you don’t have the extra bodies, talk to those next to you and ask them to watch you and help protect you. While everyone is a competitor in the
