When designing a track, many engineers don't take into account the various types of vehicles that will be using the track, and only design based on a standard average. This Mini Cooper rolling away at high speed should have been accounted for, but despite it's popular status in the racing world it was neglected. It's tall profile and boxy shape make it the perfect candidate for a roll into the crowd, especially when based on how current barriers and terrain was setup. Like a flaming freight train, everyone saw this atrocity approaching but couldn't do anything but stand like a deer caught in headlights. By the video evidence, it appears as if there is a minimal protection plan with a three to four foot tire barrier and then a standard fence. That's good for stopping grounded gokarts, but not race cars that are launched into orbit. By not placing an additional concrete barrier and reinforced fencing, the track is literally asking for this circumstance to occur; their wish was granted.
Could this have been prevented? Totally, if they would have taken some time and spent a little bit of money on additional barriers. This just goes to prove that spectators as well as drivers of motorsports are both in grave danger. You can't have 3,000+ pound vehicles flying around a track at speeds above 100 miles per hour and never expect any tragedy to occur. It's not a matter of if, but when. More effort needs to be put into erecting proper safety procedures in today's modern tracks, otherwise tragedies like this and others will continue to occur despite their rare occurrence. It only takes one wreck to make headlines, and this Mini Cooper from hell is quickly spreading throughout the media world.
Video content: Mini Cooper wrecks into spectators
Related articles:
- Pure engine sounds: BMW M3
- Sick BMW drifting at Nurburgring
- BMW Z4 GT3 at Nurburgring
- BMW 750 crashes while drifting
- Classic BMW wrecked into tree
- Night racing: BMW M5 vs Ferrari Maranello
No comments:
Post a Comment