HOLY ****! AWFUL TRAGIC NEWS - At Least 8 Killed Tonight at Lucerne Valley Race!

[MagicMtnDan]

I saw that interview this morning too Brian and I was outraged that he's putting himself out there as an expert and unbiased witness. His agenda is to blame the driver and he said/implied several times that the driver was going too fast. This guy, Keith Carty, is one person with one opinion and one voice. It's unfortunate for everyone that he wants his 15 minutes of fame today.

My take:

* It was a RACE
* The course covered MANY miles
* It was an offroad event without guardrails or barriers which were impossible to provide
* Spectators got as close as they wanted to - AT THEIR OWN RISK
* I'm sure many spectators will either move way back or not go at all to future races
* Many lessons will be learned from this tragic accident
* Lawsuits will be filed and people will suffer financially as a result
* All offroad races will be affected by this - the sport's future is in jeopardy
* The state and federal government will get involved (they're as bad or worse than the ambulance chasing lawyers) and they will try and save us from ourselves and, in the process, further reduce the freedom to enjoy the sport and, just as important, enjoy the land that belongs to us.

 

[SLB8SNK]

This was indeed a horrible event, and once again we are reminded how fragile our lives are, here now, gone seconds later. Bottom line, and as much as I hate to say it, all these events carry risks. You have all seen NASCAR races where cars crash and even with fences, car parts fly into the stand and hurt and kill people. You see golf events were people line the fairways, yards away from a pro driving a ball at insane speeds, where all it would take is a direct hit to the head. You hear of people getting hit with fly balls and broken bats at ball games. You can google off road racing and see dozens of video where cars and trucks have gone off course and hit and killed people. Again, I feel for the victims but even as this video showed, people are "allowed" to get close to the action, even camp out in chairs and coolers literally feet away from the track with vehicles racing past them at high speeds. You have to ask, is it safe, or stupid? Well I think stupid but as someone stated this is part of the thrill, and in a desert how do you rope it off? So in the end, YOU are taking yet another risk in life, and in some cases you lose.

I am sorry for the pain and suffering, for the injured as well as the witnesses. I beg you all to consider this for what it is, a "risk" in experiencing something cool or different... but remember "risk" can mean your life... so think twice as you can only be smart once! I for one would NEVER consider standing feet away from a high speed vehicle, sort of like walking along a highway near the white line.

I digressed, but life is precious, treat it as so. If you must or wish to take risks, make sure you fully understand ALL the implications! Oh yea, and last, not sure why everyone was after the driver, as he was just doing his job, its and open road course!

 

[SVTRay]

Just saw this "friend" of one of the deceased....his name is Keith Carty and he is making the interview rounds this morning. He has an agenda to put blame on the driver and the promoter and I'm sure he friends family will be one of the first to file suit. Keith unnaturally stated there is no time written or spoken that spectators should be 100ft back...lie. Keith also stated that he has been attending races for 8 year standing that close and that has never happened....clearly implying driver error. I drank and drive for 10 years and never got caught or hurt...does that mean it was acceptable or legal? Keith also repeatedly sIx the driver "plowed" through the crowd again implying all blame is on the driver. This guy is a complete A hole!! Ease backup any statements you hear on the mainstream media with facts. There are a lot of people that were there and know what happened. I don't blame the media...they know not what they do. But I do blame ********** like Keith Carty for lying and distorting the facts to unknowing audiences in order to prepare a lawsuit for monetary gain off his friends death. My friends and family know I put myself in risky situations and would never do this kind of crap. It was a horrible accident and to put all blame on the driver is outrageous!!

People will do anything for their 15mins of fame.

Anyhow, speaking of drinking, half the people in that video was drinking. So if he wants to claim driver error, I would be checking the blood alcohol level of the victims.

 

[gotls1]

In my opinion, the race should carry on next year under the same (lack of) rules and regulations.

I don't think the government should be imposing any sort of changes, but if I were the race promoter (assuming I was still in business after defending myself from all the lawsuits), things would be DRASTICLY different the next time around. Personal responsibility is a wonderful concept, but with the ease of filing a lawsuit in our court system, when idiots don't accept it you're left holding the bill.

 

[BigJ]

I don't think the government should be imposing any sort of changes, but if I were the race promoter (assuming I was still in business after defending myself from all the lawsuits), things would be DRASTICLY different the next time around. Personal responsibility is a wonderful concept, but with the ease of filing a lawsuit in our court system, when idiots don't accept it you're left holding the bill.

No argument. I live in a fantasy world.

But what a world it is... people actually responsible for their own actions... soooo nice...

 

[bstoner59]

No argument. I live in a fantasy world.

But what a world it is... people actually responsible for their own actions... soooo nice...

You have any flights coming into that fantasy world? I'd buy a ticket on the next plane!!

 

[A.I.I.Raciing]

People will do anything for their 15mins of fame.

Anyhow, speaking of drinking, half the people in that video was drinking. So if he wants to claim driver error, I would be checking the blood alcohol level of the victims.

I wouldn't say everyone was drinking, but there were more shoes without feet in them then beer cans on the ground once the dust settled.
But yes, people were out there drinking as it's one big party

I don't think the government should be imposing any sort of changes, but if I were the race promoter (assuming I was still in business after defending myself from all the lawsuits), things would be DRASTICLY different the next time around. Personal responsibility is a wonderful concept, but with the ease of filing a lawsuit in our court system, when idiots don't accept it you're left holding the bill.

The goverment is already talking about shutting down offroad racing in the Mojave dezert
Read this thread and PLEASE do your part:
http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/general-off-road-talk/121505.htm

 

[SVTRay]

I wouldn't say everyone was drinking, but there were more shoes without feet in them then beer cans on the ground once the dust settled.
But yes, people were out there drinking as it's one big party

Yes sir, that is what you do at racing events, you pull out the cooler and throw some burgers on the grill.

 

[Jake Y.]

This is absolutely terrible. My heart goes out to the victims, the ones they leave behind, and the driver. Honestly i dont feel like there's anything he could have done, and now because of this tragic accident he has this for the rest of his life. Aii- How's he holding up?

Also, it makes me sick the way media contorts the truth. i cant watch the news reports about this anymore, we need an intelligent, well-informed fan or racer to make a statement to the news agencies, not these idiots.

 

[gotls1]

No argument. I live in a fantasy world.

But what a world it is... people actually responsible for their own actions... soooo nice...

What was the name of that island nation we were going to create? Ceeveeistan? Gippleville?

Whatever it was, we need to work on that...