I have a habit of always carrying extra safety equipment with me. With the assumption that either on the track or while traveling that something might happen. I also like to have 1-2 guys that are active EMT/fire fighters with me. Most of these guys love cars and racing anyways so a chance to hang out and be involved on their off time can be a big bonus for them. Even if they are just there mostly out of the way. I have just always felt its better to come prepared, and with people you trust and work as a team. Than to rely on event staff 100% who might have a very different view of safety(to a lesser degree) than your team does.

I've been an RN for 13 years in ICU, I've been building motors for 20 years, I'm building my first whole car. It is not a 6 second car, but it'll damn sure go fast enough to seriously injure me or worse. I've spent a lot of time over the last couple years learning all I can about racing; I've seen the reports on crashes and speedway accidents. The article about a racer's throttle sticking and the sand trap being removed because of road work stands out right now. I have spent a lot of time making my car as safe as possible and complying with the rules at the minimum. This video should be mandatory. As a nurse who has been on the receiving end of bad field care, go talk to those guys in the rigs and make sure they are the right ones. You'll know if tubby with sleep apnea is the wrong one to put your life in his or her hands. He might be a great guy, I know lots of them, but are they right one to save your life? Check credentials. Most every paramedic I know is proud of how much time it took them to get it. Check the track, it's easy to spot bad ones, don't race on them! Enough people pack up, it will get someone's attention. Thanks for the video, well done!

There should be a race track safety rating system

I was at Rockingham when Bert Jackson's throttle stuck open. I heard the motor oscillating at the top end. I knew it was bad. The next day I went down there and couldn't imagine. RIP Bert

There are so many videos on here showing drag racing wrecks and fires and the vast majority of those incidents show how poorly trained and equipped many of these tracks are. So many don't have near enough fire fighting equipment to handle a major fuel fire or let's say a major nitrous backfire that results in the car literally being burned to the ground because the track doesn't have the right equipment. Great video as always

funny we mention safety. last week at the track, we saw a truck making a pass with missing lugnuts. I can only imagine.

I’ve seen Pro Mods on my local track. The track surface is asphalt garbage, the barriers are Armco that have been struck a least a thousand times and missing posts. They do at least contract county fire and paramedics for meets. But most of the safety team is yahoos who work at the track. Never understood why a guy with sub 8 second car would ever consider being there. Track was built in the sixties for cars that would never go sub10’s.

I thought in the China parts video were your best points so far for me. Then I see this. This video should have a million views. And be spread from racer to racer. You sir should be applauded for calling out those who try be thrifty with others safety.

Thank you for this video! As a LONG time FF/Paramedic/racing safety specialist, I applaud your thoughts. Rarely does a driver/crew member even speak to us- conversing about our capabilities is almost unheard of...we should be happy to have that chat!

Great video Tim, too bad it far to often falls on deaf ears. You know the resistance we got from track management/owners setting up our events. It was like pulling teeth. Remember guys and gals, it's only "good enough" until something goes wrong. Stay safe

Don't forget that some facilities have a doctor on staff. Sometimes in an ALS ambulance there can be a trauma doctor like John Hinds (RIP) for example. He was a volunteer medic at road course motorcycle races. Where the track was too long for ambulances to be every X distance, and it would be too expensive to do that. He'd ride around at full race speed wearing full leathers, with all the gear he needs to revive someone after a traumatic cardiac arrest from hitting a wall at speed for example.

Anybody reading these comments should know this. Everything he has said, I have witnessed at our local track! And that is one of the reasons we were forced to run 1/8 mile. Insurance rates went sky high with a couple of accidents! This is one of the best on KZfaq.

Last time I made the Nationals in Houston, I noted they had MICU Units (Mobile Intensive Care Unit). They are equipped to an even higher standard than ALS Units.

Great video! Went through a non-maintained sand trap and officals didn't know I did after a brake failure. Sand was so packed it didn't even leave tire marks, no net and only person at the big end was timeslip person who didn't realize a vehicle didn't come through. I'll never race there again!

Excellent video. The main message is to take responsibility for your own racing. I particularly liked the advice of understanding the turn out lanes BEFORE you run down the track. The best part of the message is said twice. If things don't look right "load your s**t up and leave!"

Tim, I’ve been at a track that the only had emt personnel, bad crash, low and behold, they had no idea what to do. They didn’t even have a blood pressure cuff! I am ACLS certified, and work in a critical care setting. Since then, even though I go to tracks that are equipped properly, I take supplies with me that if something similar occurs again, at least I know I may be of great assistance. Glad you made this video. 👍🏼

My experience is from the 70's and at the time we ofter checked to see if the Ambulance would even start and move if it was needed. I have to thank Tim for bring this critical subject into the light. Even if you get hurt in the pits working on the car you may need more than a band-aid! Back then I can thing of multi occasions where the crew had to take driver or crew member to the hospital.

Wow Tim unfortunately I'm giving you very late response on this video but hats off to you for putting out a video that is this important please more Racers need to be informed thank you Tim

A BLS ambulance will be manned by EMT's and a ALS ambulance will have a minimum of 1 Paramedic. Typically 1 medic and 1 EMT for ALS rig.

Great subject Mr tim! Also you need to train your crew how to get you properly out of the damn car very fast! I've been to advance where the EMTs didn't know what the hell to do! My crew guys carry a hatchet sawzall you name it if the EMTs don't know what to do get him the hell out of the way!

As always Tim, you highlight very important topic points! When shit goes down is not the time to prep for the accident after the fact! Where are these sanctioning bodies over seeing these tracks? Every person there has a choice to promote safe operations or status quo... regrets are a effd up choice they make.

Great thoughts and as always explained in detail. Unfortunately, in Newengland, there is only one track and the next one that’s good is 5 hrs away!

oh yeah, can you explain the "proper" pinning and locking of the short turn-offs? that's my biggest concern. hitting the barrier head on at one of those openings meant to let safety safari on quickly.

I saw and filmed Shelly Howard crashing at Thunder Valley years and years ago in her TAD and the concrete barriers stopped at the 1320 and went to guard rail and she went into the metal railing, which went up in the air and it almost got to her head/neck area. Hell, look at ANY crash on KZfaq where metal railings are involved - NOT good! (I'm not talking about her fatal A/Fuel TAD crash in Tulsa - I'm glad I was NOT there for that....RIP :-( )

You should check if they have an infield care center

Can't count how many times I was sitting in the staging lanes when another racer would come over to me and ask "which way are the turnoffs?

Best video about safety I've seen to date! No matter what the sport is! Very good sir! Very good.

very well said. I really appreciate that you when you crash, not if. If you race long enough it's gonna happen.

Tim thank you for putting in the time in for this video, I know how hard it can be to talk about things in one take on camera and stay on track. Very good, I hope that people will listen to your words.

A little late to the video, but after seeing a incident at a local track, with no ambulance on site, never went back to it. That was 20 years ago. Still won't go back.

Nice Job! Thanks for taking the time to make the video and making people aware of things. That's all you can do. The rest is up to them. Problem I see. People get to a track and the ONLY THING on their mind is running. The rest goes on the burner. DUH.

You brought up steel walls, I saw a video of a Pontiac GTO hit the wall and use it as a ramp. It flew over and was destroyed.

I subbed, i dont even race, but i subbed, because you offer good advice.

great video. Thank You

Thankyou so much for bringing this up.This has really made me aware now...

Great vid with info even the first timers with stock cars.

Good info never thought much about safety just assumed the track officials had it handled but it is a very good idea to not assume that and ask the proper questions

we ran a AA/FC and AA/FA match race car and that puts you at some tracks that are less than "ideal" for safety.. The first hour after we arrive at any track is spent first walking the track AND shut down area.. Fire equipment and how they respond to a crash... My car owner/driver suffered a major crash at OCIR and spent a long time in recovery to burns.. Another major crash we had (1000' ft 250mph) into an opening in the wall (someone failed to close it).. This was at an NHRA track but the track personnel simply failed to close it.. you gotta watch for this crap.. We lost a car and hurt a driver... Sage advice to get off your ass and look at worst case scenarios...

Great video and great info. I run a mid 10 second car but have walked away from a local track due to their lack of safety awareness and a terrible configuration of the shut down area. I won’t name the track however they run some events with cars running high 5’s which I find insane.

I would think that a rating for all tracks should be in place. And depending upon the rating the speed and time should be in place for that rating. If the track doesn't have the higher rating the time and speed should be reduced. For the safety of all drivers to spectators.

Thank You Sir for your time to put things like this up. I respect you in many ways. Thanks again GOD BLESS

This video is an eye opener!

I watch races from over sea, like the races from Santa Pod RaceWay in the U.K. their safety crew is second to none. Those people really know about safety. When I watch a race in PDRA and theirs an accident, that race car is going to burn down to the ground because they don't have a clue bout what to do

Very thought provoking! Thank you!

Tim, please comment on the catch net performance in the vid below. Am I correct in saying the net should be set up not to launch the car? NHRA channel , Pro Mod driver Mike Bowman's parachutes failed during qualifying at St. Louis Sep 21 2018

While I agree with most of this the realalities are A. Test Session? Maybe the tracks own ambulance staffed by a first aider. not great!! But if you want more you will have to book it weeks ahead and pay for it. And not cheap. Fire safety too is similar. Though fire safety at Drag events seems very amatuer to say the least. Even at some bigger events. B rural tracks. Near certain lower trained staff as the paramedics simply are not available unless specially ordered at huge cost. And no actual guarantee they will actually turn up on the day. Conversley fire safety can be better with rural fire brigades who are more used to vehicle fires than half trained track workers. Though again they can be called away as well. C. Drag racing is a joke. World wide. Mega barred up cars for various speeds and then drivers driving in a T shirt or very maybe a so called fore proof sfi jacket. On tracks with potholes and armco railing that is bent to hell. Yeah right!! Or even worse Drag Week and NO helmets in a slow car. Or long sleeved attire or even shoes!! That is [I hope] only in America as the same car crashes at 80mph at the end of the track. As someone who has raced various levels of road racing and speedway here in Australia and been on organising committees I know all of this. And have had an hours break at even bigger meetings as the ambo takes off for a call elsewhere. On several occasions. Even been in the situation myself where they wanted to transport me about the same time as the ambulance disapeared. Never got there as they figured I was alright by the time it came back. Though just maybe I was not with I suspect minor concussion. I had loaded up with help by then. And was a bit shaky on the hours drive home. And this happened in both road racing and speedway. It does make you wonder. Both rural areas though under an hour to major hospitals. My street drag days in the 70s had no ambulance at all and very basic fire safety. That has improved a little I believe. US drag racing needs to get its act together bug time. At the very least proper fences, at the very least long sleeved wool or cotton attire and a relevant standard helmet. Plus the cars checked for basic stuff like brakes, seat belts, battery mounts etc. And especially at proper race meets harness inc mounting points and driving suits, neck braces etc.

Tim you are the man.

Why did it seem like the first responders had no fire suits balaclavas or gloves. I volunteer at a strip in new Zealand so it's not big or well funded but everyone of our crash crew have full saftey gear and training we take pride in what we do and our saftey record.

Great advice! Thanks

At about 1:16 the first guy showed up with a fire extinguisher , and he was wearing shorts.

Keep up the great job tim

Very good video Tim.

Very nice.

That is a very good point🏁🏁🏁🏁👍👍

YOUR TALKING ABOUT 1/2 TRACKS IN N.C

Ive seen some of these small tracks down south,dont even unload your shit,they're death traps

more great info

Great video!

Jay Livingston

this advice could have saved a mans life today

why is not using a water never use powder

I do like your knowledge. I like your videos. Where did you start racing?????????????? Touchy times these days. Yes. Personal responsibility is always at the top racing anything. You are kind of leaning Communist with these videos. I get that you are good and experienced. Seems like you don't want anyone else to even try to do this. You are not a good ambassador for the sport .

Great. We work to try and get them OFF the street and then you tell them to load their stuff up and leave. Sigh.

Everyone knows that when you commit that you are all in. How much do you have to pay to get in and out maybe winning the match race? Knowing your environment is part of the battle. I get that. You are in 250,000 dollar or better car world. I think you should redirect and bring people in. Shitload of street racing going on everyday among bad drivers. It's cheap. Stop with this and focus on your knowledge. Everyone knows the risks. That's the beauty of it all. One could die in a wreck from a blown slick. One could die slowly from cancer never having that rush. What is the difference? All of the stupid "rules". You have a great deal of currency. I get that you are quite attracted to it. Those cars are worth noting in the long run. Remember that. Preparing a track is absolutely stupid to me as well! Run a nitro car if you want to hit 6 is what I say. All of sanctioned drag racing is absolutely out of control and stupid! That VHT is the greatest thing that ever happened in your world I am sure. Lots of truly smart people are never going to get one run before they die. Think on that.

As always Tim, you highlight very important topic points! When shit goes down is not the time to prep for the accident after the fact! Where are these sanctioning bodies over seeing these tracks? Every person there has a choice to promote safe operations or status quo... regrets are a effd up choice they make.