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DALLAS (June 17, 2007) - It's with deep sadness and heavy hearts that the racers and teams of the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge mourn the losses suffered when the Jackhammer Corvette Pro Modified car was involved in a tragic accident in Selmer, Tenn. series director, Matthew Brammer, said Monday.
"There aren't words to describe the pain and the loss, for all involved at the event and on the team. It was a tragic case of someone trying to do the right thing that went terribly wrong," Brammer said.
Brammer said the event was a charity fundraiser not sanctioned by any drag racing body.
"Of course, there are ongoing investigations about the accident, so I won't take a chance at speculating about the causes. It's just important right now to encourage, support and pray for everyone involved," he said.
Brammer explained that a burnout is spinning the rear tires in water to heat and clean them prior to a run for better traction. While the tires are spinning, the tires produce a large amount of smoke. A burnout typically precedes every run on the racetrack, and while it is performed at high-engine RPM, it is not performed at racing speed.
He went on to say that the incident was an exhibition and not a drag race. A drag race is an acceleration contest from a standing start between two vehicles over a measured distance. A drag racing event is a series of such two-vehicle, tournament-style eliminations.
The car in the accident was a Pro Modified car, a type of drag racing car that feature different combinations of methanol-burning engines in late-model full-body chassis. The cars also utilize full suspension and are equipped with working doors on each side of the vehicle to maintain aesthetically "car-like" appearance.
"Despite the tragedy, the Pro Mod Challenge will continue as scheduled. It is our understanding that the AMS Racing team driven by Troy Critchley has withdrawn from the remaining events this season and will not be racing.
"As a series, we are discussing ways we can try to help in some small way ease the pain for everyone who lost, and are hoping to announce a benefit before our next scheduled event in Englishtown," he said.
The series competes next at Englishtown, New Jersey, June 21-24.
Pro Mod Challenge Statement
DALLAS (June 17, 2007) - It's with deep sadness and heavy hearts that the racers and teams of the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge mourn the losses suffered when the Jackhammer Corvette Pro Modified car was involved in a tragic accident in Selmer, Tenn. series director, Matthew Brammer, said Monday.
"There aren't words to describe the pain and the loss, for all involved at the event and on the team. It was a tragic case of someone trying to do the right thing that went terribly wrong," Brammer said.
Brammer said the event was a charity fundraiser not sanctioned by any drag racing body.
"Of course, there are ongoing investigations about the accident, so I won't take a chance at speculating about the causes. It's just important right now to encourage, support and pray for everyone involved," he said.
Brammer explained that a burnout is spinning the rear tires in water to heat and clean them prior to a run for better traction. While the tires are spinning, the tires produce a large amount of smoke. A burnout typically precedes every run on the racetrack, and while it is performed at high-engine RPM, it is not performed at racing speed.
He went on to say that the incident was an exhibition and not a drag race. A drag race is an acceleration contest from a standing start between two vehicles over a measured distance. A drag racing event is a series of such two-vehicle, tournament-style eliminations.
The car in the accident was a Pro Modified car, a type of drag racing car that feature different combinations of methanol-burning engines in late-model full-body chassis. The cars also utilize full suspension and are equipped with working doors on each side of the vehicle to maintain aesthetically "car-like" appearance.
"Despite the tragedy, the Pro Mod Challenge will continue as scheduled. It is our understanding that the AMS Racing team driven by Troy Critchley has withdrawn from the remaining events this season and will not be racing.
"As a series, we are discussing ways we can try to help in some small way ease the pain for everyone who lost, and are hoping to announce a benefit before our next scheduled event in Englishtown," he said.
The series competes next at Englishtown, New Jersey, June 21-24.
