Years ago at Cayuga we were running an old front engine dragster called Longshot...The Worlds Slowest Dragster...lol. Extremely low budget ride and when sitting in the ****pit with your nuts on the rear end there is very little you can see other then what is right in front of you. My brother was driving on this occasion and was paired up with another car for the pass. We did a full burnout and I had backed him up to just before the water box. I had already cleared away from the pad but the other car was late to do his burn out and we were just sitting there waiting. My brother gave it a short hit to warm the tires again and had just gone far enough to cross the line as the other car was well past and completing his burn out and starting to back up. So my brother went into reverse to line up again and just as he did the track photographer who was in between the 2 lanes and was in conversation with the starter turned with his back to the lane and proceeded to walk across the lane as my brother was backing up. The rear tire caught him just below the waist and sent him down to the ground smashing his camera into a million pieces and slamming his head into the hot rubber on the track leaving clumps of hair (will never forget that part) the rear tire ended up on top of him and broke his leg in several places if I recall correctly. My brother not being able to see what had happened slipped it into gear and rolled forward and shut it off. Closed down the track for the day and they took him away in an ambulance. The photog contacted us later in the week and apologized over and over for his mistake.
I watch all these shows on TV with people crowded all around the start line and just shake my head.
Things happen fast at race tracks and when u think its not possible ...surprises happen. Seen a few odd things . It’s important track staff Are on point with safety in mind.
Terrible this happened , feel for the family And all associated.
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gotta be young and dumb before you get old and wise