Pit Vehicle vs Race Car Right of Way

[GTX JOHN]

A few years back at LVMS during Nationals: Darren Smith's National champion Superstock Dart was hit by the crew of another car who ran a stop sign at a pretty fast speed. Darren was bang up (He is a tough Kid)..... BUT his beautiful race car was virtually destroyed! He was coasting slowly right on the big wide main road down to the staging lanes. The crew in the SUV that hit really must have be flying by the looks of what was left of the Smith's car!

I do not believe the crew of the Alcohol Dragster received any sanctions or fines of any kind! Darren and his Dad Dave were much calmer throughout the whole ordeal than we would have been in that deal!

[Jon Sarrett]

Last year at Norwalk Divisional I had a heated exchange with a very well known TS driver after he ran his cart in front of me while I was pulling into my pit spot on Saturday after a pass. We were pitted right next to one another the entire weekend. I was willing to let it pass but he approached me in my pit spot and threatened to kick my *** if I didn't calm down. They came flying down the pit lane and I was 2/3 of the way through my turn when they zipped in front of me coming from the blind spot in my car. I didn't call them any names but I did shout an expletive INSIDE my car. The guy is a real piece of work. A couple of wally's and a fast car doesn't give you the right to act like an arsehole. I've noticed a huge lack of respect in the last few years regarding this topic. It's only going to get worse....

[Jim Kaekel]

Originally Posted by Jon Sarrett

Last year at Norwalk Divisional I had a heated exchange with a very well known TS driver after he ran his cart in front of me while I was pulling into my pit spot on Saturday after a pass. We were pitted right next to one another the entire weekend. I was willing to let it pass but he approached me in my pit spot and threatened to kick my *** if I didn't calm down. They came flying down the pit lane and I was 2/3 of the way through my turn when they zipped in front of me coming from the blind spot in my car. I didn't call them any names but I did shout an expletive INSIDE my car. The guy is a real piece of work. A couple of wally's and a fast car doesn't give you the right to act like an arsehole. I've noticed a huge lack of respect in the last few years regarding this topic. It's only going to get worse....

Sounds familiar, Jon. I had trouble many years ago, also at Norwalk with a TS racing team as well. The team owner wanted me to move from my own pit spot and when I refused, called my car a "piece of ****". I suspect the same clan.

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by Jim Kaekel

Sounds familiar, Jon. I had trouble many years ago, also at Norwalk with a TS racing team as well. The team owner wanted me to move from my own pit spot and when I refused, called my car a "piece of ****". I suspect the same clan.

I'm not the vindictive type but have had damaged race cars due to others being neglectful and downright rude. You should call out active racers who act like this so others can avoid pitting in the same vicinity; same goes for obnoxious generators or failure to mount generator exhaust stacks and subsequent fuming your trailer/motorhome all night long.

[TBR151J]

Originally Posted by GTX JOHN

A few years back at LVMS during Nationals: Darren Smith's National champion Superstock Dart was hit by the crew of another car who ran a stop sign at a pretty fast speed. Darren was bang up and his beautiful race car was virtually destroyed right on the main road down to the staging lanes.

I do not believe the crew of the Alcohol Dragster received any sanctions or fines of any kind! Darren and his Dad Dave were much calmer throughout the whole ordeal than we would have been in that deal!

Sounds like my deal...normal raceday at Englishtown like 15 years ago and a track employee t-boned my Nova right in the door coming from a side road as I was going to the lanes for the semis. Thankfully I only got a couple of bumps and bruises as opposed to what could have happened, but the car was hurt bad. Dude drilled the door all the way to the door bar on the cage, wiped out the quarterpanel, bent the rear, spun me around 180 degrees. Funny part was the door glass didn't get broken (I still have it!).

To say I wasn't happy would be an understatement and in my 20 year old youth probably went a bit overboard expressing my anger, disgust and contempt and probably warrented the rest of the year vacation I got plus losing my job working the burnout box there. Kicker was the kid kept his job and I got 2 tickets, one for reckless driving and other for failure to produce insurance or registration.

Name of the game is keep your eyes on the lookout all the time...people are, well, stupid...