Jeff Burk on CBS Early show (1 Viewer)

[Rajunz]

The founder of Cars for Kids, Larry Price, was standing in the road during the burnout, signalling each driver when to start and stop. Drivers usually burn their tires for 20 to 50 feet Price said, but Critchley went much farther before losing control.

There were four professional drag-racers at the show, and each was supposed to do one burnout, Price said. Most people burn the tires for less than 50 feet, but Critchley went much farther than that before losing control, Price said.


I guess, according to some here, I probably shouldn't be posting these quotes about this incident. And, I shouldn't be posting my opinion either. The same people that are crying about all the speculation and finger pointing, would be the first ones pointing fingers if any of those victims were their loved ones. We all have opinions. If you don't want to hear them, or read them, then stay off the message boards. Lock yourself in a closet. And damn sure don't be a hypocrite, and spew your opionion about ANYTHING ever again.

It's a sad thing that occured, but what is quoted above is indeed a fact. The promotor is standing between the guardrails in this shot, for what ever reason, hung throttle, ego, ??? he just blew right on passed him. NO DOUBT that it was an accident, a terrible, terrible accident.

 

[downtime]

I think it took serious balls to go on tv and comment on the tragedy.

The media will report what they want regardless of the facts.
People will think what they want and point fingers as they see fit.

All I know is that as a non NHRA/IHRA event both sanctioning bodies would be silent when there is a need for a true sanctioning body to speak up. I somehow believe the NFL would speak up if someone got beaned by a football thrown by a professional quarterback and died. I somehow think MLB would speak up if a major league slugger hit a baseball and someone was killed.

In this case our sanctioning bodies, most likely under heavy legal advice, elected to be silent. My expectation would be that by today, Tuesday, some sort of statement would be issued to protect the integrity of our sport and use this tragic occurance to allow NHRA/IHRA to assume the role of a sanctioning body and implement a plan to reassure people of the professionalism of the industry overall and the goal of safety first.

It may be a painful lump to swallow, but implementing a positive policy to improve the safety of all automotive events, not just NHRA/IHRA sanctioned, absolutely needs to be the focus of a true sanctioning body.

I am not ualified to speak of the details of the occurance as I was not there and even if I was I am not an expert in the details of racing on that performance level. However I do have over 4500 passes in my bracket car under my belt and I do agree that a road crown can easily cause the type of situation that occured (10 years in highway/bridge construction).

I also know that most people would not know the full extent of handling issues associated with road crowns unless they worked in construction/engineering.

If nothing else, this raises the spectre of all the online videos I have seen where people do street race with spectators lining the streets and NHRA/IHRA should (in my opinion) re-double their efforts and combine resources in a revived "Take it to the track" program.

Since NHRA is left with direct control of the sportsman categories their management dovetails neatly with the IHRA demographic.

Safety first needs to be embedded into the minds of everyone who get behind the wheel of a car be it a Prius of a Top Fuel Dragster.

I may get slammed for this but it is the job of NHRA/IHRA, after appropriate legal consultation, to implement a set of "best practices" and standards for events that involve members promoting the sport of drag racing.

I believe the television interview was a good thing for our sport, regardless of any perceived affiliations, gains or losses, that may or may not have initiated it. Someone needed to speak up, marketing and bas aside, and minimize mis-information. Regardless of personal opinions and what "people in the know" may think, it was a good interview for the general public to hear.

Nothing that anyone says will deflect the trainloads of lawyers who are undoubtedly educating themselves trainloads with partial information with which to use to achieve their goals. This interview was done intelligently and with forethought and will serve as a backdrop for whatever unfolds next. People can argue all day about the speaker and content but interms of the general public this was a good thing to happen and so far the only good thing that has come out of this horrific accident.

 

[Ponyhntr]

I think it took serious balls to go on tv and comment on the tragedy.

The media will report what they want regardless of the facts.
People will think what they want and point fingers as they see fit.

All I know is that as a non NHRA/IHRA event both sanctioning bodies would be silent when there is a need for a true sanctioning body to speak up. I somehow believe the NFL would speak up if someone got beaned by a football thrown by a professional quarterback and died. I somehow think MLB would speak up if a major league slugger hit a baseball and someone was killed.

In this case our sanctioning bodies, most likely under heavy legal advice, elected to be silent. My expectation would be that by today, Tuesday, some sort of statement would be issued to protect the integrity of our sport and use this tragic occurance to allow NHRA/IHRA to assume the role of a sanctioning body and implement a plan to reassure people of the professionalism of the industry overall and the goal of safety first.

It may be a painful lump to swallow, but implementing a positive policy to improve the safety of all automotive events, not just NHRA/IHRA sanctioned, absolutely needs to be the focus of a true sanctioning body.

I am not ualified to speak of the details of the occurance as I was not there and even if I was I am not an expert in the details of racing on that performance level. However I do have over 4500 passes in my bracket car under my belt and I do agree that a road crown can easily cause the type of situation that occured (10 years in highway/bridge construction).

I also know that most people would not know the full extent of handling issues associated with road crowns unless they worked in construction/engineering.

If nothing else, this raises the spectre of all the online videos I have seen where people do street race with spectators lining the streets and NHRA/IHRA should (in my opinion) re-double their efforts and combine resources in a revived "Take it to the track" program.

Since NHRA is left with direct control of the sportsman categories their management dovetails neatly with the IHRA demographic.

Safety first needs to be embedded into the minds of everyone who get behind the wheel of a car be it a Prius of a Top Fuel Dragster.

I may get slammed for this but it is the job of NHRA/IHRA, after appropriate legal consultation, to implement a set of "best practices" and standards for events that involve members promoting the sport of drag racing.

I believe the television interview was a good thing for our sport, regardless of any perceived affiliations, gains or losses, that may or may not have initiated it. Someone needed to speak up, marketing and bas aside, and minimize mis-information. Regardless of personal opinions and what "people in the know" may think, it was a good interview for the general public to hear.

Nothing that anyone says will deflect the trainloads of lawyers who are undoubtedly educating themselves trainloads with partial information with which to use to achieve their goals. This interview was done intelligently and with forethought and will serve as a backdrop for whatever unfolds next. People can argue all day about the speaker and content but interms of the general public this was a good thing to happen and so far the only good thing that has come out of this horrific accident.

Well said Ted!!

 

[PJ]

I think it would be hard for IHRA or NHRA to put forth any statement without appearing to throw various parties involved under the bus.

IF NHRA made a statement, you would expect it to be along the lines of: racing should be in a controlled environment, on a track, guardrails, etc.

Any public comments they make would be seen as piling on Critchley, AMS, the local police, etc. There is almost not a 'correct' response they could make.

you are 100% correct, they'd get flamed regardless of what they said and with todays sue happy society they need to keep their distance

 

[downtime]

you are 100% correct, they'd get flamed regardless of what they said and with todays sue happy society they need to keep their distance

The media and lawyers will draw them in regardless of whether they make a statement or not. Regardless, a sanctioning body has a responsibility to the sport as a whole and they are capable of making a staement about how they they are burning the midnight oil to assist their competitor base with developing a set of standards and procedures to reduce the risk of this type of tragedy occuring again. They do not need to throw anyone under a bus to place themselves in position to "take the high road" as this horror did not occur under their roof.

If nothing else, and as self serving as it may sound, a demonstration of being pro-active will professionalize NHRA/IHRA in the mind of the public. I know it sounds awful but if there is any way some good can come out of this accident ultimately lives may be saved.

 

[Shan]

First of all, it would be soooo nice if some of you would grow up and quit your endless bickering. It's so worn out already!

Second of all, I don't see why everyone thinks this is going to hurt our sport so much. Yes, it was a terrible accident, and it's only the beginning of what will no doubt be a very long road for Troy, his team and the families of those who were killed or hurt. I can't imagine what they're going through. But I don't see how it would negatively affect our sport as a whole. I think it will have a huge affect on how "exhibition" or "special event" type things, for lack of a better phrase, will be conducted, if at all. No doubt about that. But I don't see a major negative impact on NHRA or drag racing as a whole. Only time will tell.

 

[r2]

What does NHRA have to do with any of this is my question... It was not an NHRA event and had nothing to do in any way that involves NHRA, other than he participated in events held by them in the past... So I'm assuming that I am missing the point... Why get involved in something that you are, and have been totally against from day one?? Just to say, see I told you so... They would be on TV every single day in just about every city USA

If something would have happened at an NHRA or IHRA track, then of course they would have to make a statement... But your football and baseball analogy Ted only works if what you are implying, is that if something happened in a stadium setting loaded with fans, and not at something like a family picnic...

The last I knew, NHRA does not run events on public roads...

And I honestly appreciate your knowledge of road surfaces and crowns, but at what point does the bulb go off and common sense kicks in telling someone that this is not safe, legal or a very good idea... We all know what happens when a track is not prepped properly... Look at Bristol as an example or any other track this year... What was that roadway prepped with?? Now read the sidewall on a drag slick and it says, not for highway use...


And if it is true about Burk having ties with PM or AMS, I would rather have seen him wear a shirt that did not say DRAG RACING on it, with online in script very small, so don't even go there... Looked like he was the spokesman for all of DR, which is not even close... And his website being put on the screen was over the top to me...

Just wondering outloud to a few questions... Sorry in advance...

I know we are never going to all see this the same way...

 

[downtime]

If NHRA makes a statement, they immediately become a plaintiff's witness.....I can hear the opening statement in the courtroom now: "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, the NHRA says that if their rules had been followed...."

I am not a lawyer and this is beyond my knowledge. You are probably correct. However I was not going tdown the "party line" or a track scenario. I was looking at if from the perspective of a best practices or standards for professional racers to follow as a matter of course.

In the IT industry which is also full of specific situations with differeing opinions and different rules and a changing playing field we do this through vender neutral certifications. There is no warranty on the certification except for a basic competency. I'm simply thinking along the lines of very basic stuff.

However I am probably just full of "wishful thinking tonight"... Ahh well.

 

[big jim]

The list of who was at fault is very long. It is obvious from the video the burn out was longer than 50 feet....as I assume it has been every year they have had the event. I've seen ProMods at the track to 660' burn outs. It dosent take much to get out of shape and bad things happen. When I do a crowd pleaser....I'll go as long as I can.

Who ever set up the event, allowed the spectators that close with NO barricades all share in the responsiblity, in my opinion, more than the driver. After all, the driver had an accident.

 

[r2]

Well, this explains it... Where's the shaking head smilie??

::: Drag Racing Online ::: Burks Blast - My ten seconds of fame or what I learned about the elite media - 6/18/2007

 

[yoda]

...All I know is that as a non NHRA/IHRA event both sanctioning bodies would be silent when there is a need for a true sanctioning body to speak up. I somehow believe the NFL would speak up if someone got beaned by a football thrown by a professional quarterback and died. I somehow think MLB would speak up if a major league slugger hit a baseball and someone was killed...

Ted- I have to disagree with this section of your post, although I agree with a majority of the rest of it, With that train of thought, a sanctioning body should be stepping up and commenting on EVERY "drag racing" incident, no matter what the class- something I believe there is no reason to involve themselves in.

Troy's car was obviously not participating in a Sanctioned event, or on a Sanctioned track. Having the Sanctioning body comment (and draw themselves in closer to the many forthcoming lawsuits) is akin to GM, Ford or Chrysler commenting on every car accident that happens, or in using your sports analogy, MLB having a press conference every time somebody beats someone to death with a baseball bat.

Most cars involved in some sort of street racing accident have some sort of association with drag racing.
Car previously competed at an actual drag strip.

Driver previously SAW a real drag race.

Speed equipment was on the car in some way, shape or form (everything from Nitrous to chrome wheels..)

None of this should warrant the Sanctioning bodies from having to comment on an event that they weren't associated with. Personally, if I were an ...HRA, I wouldn't want to climb into the middle of this sh!t storm if the only thing that tied me to it was a car and driver that usually competed UNDER A WATCHFUL EYE at one of my events, or that the action that caused the tragedy was by nature associated with an action that also a part of one of my events (that also happens in parking lots, empty roads, street lights and Drifting events all over the world just as often as a drag strip..)

Not pointing a finger, but if anybody needs to be coming forward and explaining ANYTHING, it needs to be the PROMOTER that came up with this brilliant idea, and the Sherrif's Department, that gave it's stamp of approval for the venue.

 

[r2]

Well, this explains it... Where's the shaking head smilie??

::: Drag Racing Online ::: Burks Blast - My ten seconds of fame or what I learned about the elite media - 6/18/2007

Holy !!!!!!!! That was all before he even appeared on the Early Show "LIVE"... Not after as I thought... WOW!!

 

[downtime]

Ted- I have to disagree with this section of your post, although I agree with a majority of the rest of it, With that train of thought, a sanctioning body should be stepping up and commenting on EVERY "drag racing" incident, no matter what the class- something I believe there is no reason to involve themselves in...

I agree with you. Keep the *HRAs away as best possible, avoid every possible "incident", and keep the focus on their own sanctioned activities.

However the one huge difference between this situation and all the other little situations that occur in virtually every form of endeavor is this received massive media exposure, coupled with the perception that this was an actual drag racing event as opposed to private event under the unmrella of an outside organization.

The headlines were such that the title of the original post on this board was targeted at the media instead of the incident.

We are not talking about a "John Doe and Sally Sue" accident with a baseball bat that happens to have a high profile name on it. The equivalent would be a MLB "player of stature" demonstrating a home run swing at Rockefeller Centre and someone dying from it, for whatever circumstance.

All I am saying is that some sort of proactive response to separate private activities from the professional sport would be an important step if done in a manner that is non-judgemental.

 

[rocketman]

The promoter should be horsewhipped and the racer had better lose his backing from AMS right now without any hessitation. There's nothing to gain by AMS by not ruling out that he will be back. I'm sure the lawyers are advising them not to do anything that could show fault so if that's the case I understand. Otherwise, based on what the media has uncovered and the severity of the situation AMS needs to take a strong stand here.

In fact, if I was in AMS' shoes I would be pretty worried of the concequences AND I would have included in the press release that this driver will never drive for them again. Period. Saying he's chose to withdraw from the series for the rest of the year makes it sound like the guy is still apart of the AMS and the door is open in light of what happend. That's not a strong enough message. There are well over 1,000 articles just on one news search alone under one key word. There are now stories about bearrying the dead, etc.

Its a very sad situation and never mind the racing community but the moms and dads who will have to deal with the rest of there lives. So to give it a time limit of withdrawing from the series for the rest of the year implies in my mind at least that he'll be back next year. I'm sorry but IF that's the case that's the wrong message to send the general public regardless if it was an accident or not. I don't like to se a racer thrown off the bus but I'll make an exception here. Just my opinon.

 

[ProStockJunkie]

The issue was addressed to three professional drag racers on Good Morning America this morning and it was answered in the best possible way. It should have been left at that.

Just because someone is asked by mainstream media, to comment, does not mean they should agree to do so. Personally, I wish Burk had made that decision.

 

[Wayne]

It is totally amazing to me how many 'maters could/did fit in Troy's car that day!!!

 

[Johnny Mopar]

That interview was sad. He was OBVIOUSLY trying to take some of the heat off of Critchley......saying this was a "nominal" burnout is just stupid. You can't equate the 'burnout' during the show to anything done during an actual pass down the track.



Even more stupid is saying that he purposely drove the car into the pole. If you've seen pictures of the car, and what part of the car hit the pole, you would see how ridiculous this statement was.

Excellent points David. Burk did his best to downplay the result of the exhibition. It's relevant to note that Burk's website is a Pro Mod friendly site...he's always posting feature stories of cars in that class.

The bottom line is this...planing this 'exhibition' and participating in it were both very bad decisions. Everyone involved in the planning or exhibition will ultimately be held responsible for the outcome.

 

[Johnny Mopar]

Legally that won't mean anything. He was their driver at the time of the accident, and that will determine the liability.

If they fire him now, they are essentially admitting that he was a mistake, which will only hurt them. Best situation for AMS is Troy 'retires' on his own, without being tossed by AMS.....IMO.

AMS and Troy will be held accountable irregardless whether he drives for them again. There's no way AMS or Troy survive this.