Thought provoking column from Robin Miller

RandyM · Post by **RandyM** » Fri Oct 17, 2003 8:59 am

<A HREF="http://espn.go.com/rpm/irl/2003/1013/1637489.html" TARGET="_blank">ESPN´s RPM Site</A>
 
 I´m not tossing any bombs, but it *IS* sobering to think about, and wonder what, if anything, can or should be done...

RandyM · Post by **RandyM** » Fri Oct 17, 2003 2:44 pm

I´ve often thought about adding ´fenders´ but not to the same degree as a ´regular´ car. I was thinking about the effect of just putting a thin ´wraparound´ barrier around the flat part of the tire affixed to the suspension or bodywork, such that it would prevent the two spinning wheels from hurling the car around. That would at least put two layers of thin carbon fiber between the rotating wheels, such that a collision would at worst push the carbon fiber into the wheels and just puncture them or start to rub against them and cause a trip to the pits. Heck it could even be painted black so it still looks like the wheel is exposed. Just anything to put SOMETHING between the two spinning wheels at the spinning points of contact (side by side shouldn´t be a problem, just the actual horizontal parts of the tire tread that come into contact spinning in opposite directions.
 
 Randy

btmgov · Post by **btmgov** » Fri Oct 17, 2003 6:41 pm

That is an interesting, and not bad, idea, Randy. But in my opinion, the bottom line is this. Race drivers know, and accept, the dangers of getting in a race car and racing at these speeds. They love what they are doing and most would have it no other way. Nobody forces any of these drivers to go out and do what they do. Personally, I get tired of hearing these reporters and columnists pissing and moaning about how unsafe racing is every time there is a major incident. What does it really matter to these people anyway. They aren´t the ones getting in the cars. Sure, everyone wants to see racing safer and completely free of major incidents and accidents. Problem is, it isn´t ever going to be that way. Open wheel is what it is just for that reason...........the cars have open wheels. They aren´t capable of bumping and bashing side to side like NASCAR. I don´t believe the sport should, nor would want to, compromise that because of a few unfortunate occurances. Just my opinion though, as I am die hard NASCAR fan and not near as knowledgable of the open wheel sceen.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 4:08 pm

>>>That would at least put two layers of thin carbon fiber between the rotating wheels, such that a collision would at worst push the carbon fiber into the wheels and just puncture them or start to rub against them and cause a trip to the pits.<<<
 
 No offense, Randy, but using carbon fiber as a "nerf bar," to use the sprint car term, is insane. Carbon fiber shards are among the sharpest pieces of material you´ll find in racing. A puncture from a damaged carbon-fiber "nerf bar" most likely would cause catastrophic tire failure, which would result in a violent, violent wreck that would severly injure or kill a driver.
 
 I don´t have any easy answers. But carbon fiber "nerf bars" aren´t the solution. Maybe some sort of lightweight alloy such as titanium could be used.
 
 Take care,
 PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 6:25 pm

Z:
 
 Thanks for the nice words, from one race fan to another.
 
 Let´s just say that today was one of the four toughest days of my career in motorsports PR. The other three were when Blaine Johnson and Elmer Trett died on successive days at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in 1996 and when three fans were killed at the IRL race in Charlotte in 1999. I was on site for those three deaths; I was working at home in upstate N.Y. today. Still doesn´t make it any easier.
 
 I never met Tony, but everyone in the series I know who did had nothing but really, really nice things to say about him. Hard worker, nice, quiet guy. Fast as hell. Very much in the Hornish mold, and he finally got a chance to prove it with a top ride with Ganassi.
 
 There are almost too many tragic angles to this story to bear today. It was his first day on the job with Ganassi, and he was in the car for less than 30 minutes. Tony also was engaged to be married next month ... <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon27.gif">
 
 Rest in peace and Godspeed, Tony Renna.
 
 Take care,
 PK [ This message was edited by: pk500 on 22-10-2003 16:05 ]

Neckthai · Post by **Neckthai** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 8:04 pm

I guess I´m one of the guys who PK is referring to as someone who dealt with Tony Renna. I´n convinced he was a guy who would have won races in the IRL.
 
 My day hasn´t been the same since I got an IM from PK telling me of a "serious crash" for Tony Renna.
 
 All day I´ve been thinking of the look Tony´s father had when Tony had finished his first practice at Nashville last summer. He was so proud of his son.
 
 Thoughts and prayers to the Renna family. And godspeed Tony Renna.

btmgov · Post by **btmgov** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 9:54 pm

I´m not really even sure what to say, as is usually the case when these things happen. I somewhat knew Tony, being from the central Florida area as he was also. I had the pleasure of conversing with him quite a few times at some local tracks as well as a time or two recently in the pits when he visited NASCAR events with Ganassi. I am just very sad right now. Tony would have been a true asset to the IRL and I believe would have been an IRL series champion. Run hard with all the other racing greats up there, Tony. You will be sorely missed down here in these minor races. R.I.P. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon27.gif">

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 11:10 pm

<IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon27.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon27.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon27.gif"> Thoughts and prayers to the Renna family. And godspeed Tony Renna. Ditto neck.
 
 
 PK I know this is a bad day for you brother,chin up!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 11:26 pm

Thanks, Jack.
 
 Take care,
 PK

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 2:33 pm

I have been out of it basically for the last 24 hours and just heard this news and am sitting here sick to my stomach.
 
 I was pumped when I had heard that Tony had signed with Ganassi, as I knew he would win some races in 2004.
 
 Peace to Tony´s family and friends.

Neckthai · Post by **Neckthai** » Fri Oct 24, 2003 2:16 am

Z,
 
 That was one fine post. You said a lot things I´ve been internalizing since Noon on Wednesday.
 
 I saw a lot of myself in Tony Renna. And in that way, I guess his death has hit me hard. Then I found this story today.
 
 <A HREF="http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJ ... 102303.htm" TARGET="_blank">Renna loved racing enough to accept death </A>

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Fri Oct 24, 2003 3:10 pm

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:<HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE>When the 2004 season starts up in Daytona, Melbourne, Homestead and wherever CART/Motorock ends up, I´ll probably be watching but this year is done for me.</BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
 I think its done for me too. I have had these moments in the last 30 years where I almost gave up the sport. Some early on. I remember those you speak of Donohue, Pollard, Savage, Peterson. I remember my Dad being so down when Donohue died. I remember my parents coming home from the 73 Indy when Salt Walther had his horrible wreck right in front of them. I remember my Mom vowed never to go to the race again (and she still hasn´t to this day). I remember the sick feeling seeing Sneva´s crash in 75, and never wanting to see a crash like that again.
 
 When Senna died, I came close to giving up the sport. Little Al in the peak of his career with Penske kept me from it though. When Moore died in 99 I once again had those feelings. Earnhardt was a shock that made me feel like as a fan, that I was part of the problem. I stopped playing the just released Nascar 4 entirely.
 
 When I saw Kenny Bracks crash at the end of the Texas race, I immediately turned the TV off and prayed. I was relieved and thankful to find out a few hours later that he had survived, but I wondered if maybe I would be better off not passing my racing obsession on to my kids.
 
 Then I hear about Tony Renna. It sounds horrific and scary to think if something similar would happen on race day. Such sad and ironic circumstances. I was a fan since his Indy Lights days.
 
 Racing will always be dangerous, but safety needs to always improve. Thing is, CARS are dangerous. I passed a fatal accident on the highway last night. No drinking, no speeding, just an accident at around 70mph that resulted in death. Sad.
 
 I have no ideas or answers, just rambling...