Tage Evanson In Car Fire Video

[bpanther]

The CCRs don't mandate a balaclava (unless you're a hairy face dude) but this shows why you *SHOULD* always wear one. He was burned pretty good on his neck, chins and face.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6YHGon8emQ


This was from fellow Regional Director Tage Evanson from AZ. He also runs the car in TT. While it might be tempting to go w/o a suit, gloves, etc in a full prep race car even "just for TT" or a lapping day - be aware at what can happen.

Note that to meet the true live fire exit test minimum time he had to jump out of the car while it was still moving...... Busting into flames at 100mph really cuts into that 10 seconds :eek:. He was out in 8 seconds and still had 3rd degree burns.....

[Snymo]

Ummm, WOW! :eek: I worked with Tage last year at Nationals. Best wishes to him on a quick recovery from what looks like a really scary incident!

[chris_venturini]

Seeing him jump out of a moving car seemed like something out of a movie. Hope for a quick recovery.
Speaking from my own experience, the adrenaline rush you get from a burning car makes time slow down ten fold, I bet those were the longest 8 seconds of his life.
Any idea on how it spread to the cabin so quickly? uncovered holes in the firewall? Any thoughts to what could have been done to prevent this in foresight? I didnt notice any fire suppression, or maybe he didnt have time to use it?
Makes me more motivated to cover all the holes in my firewall on the new car, check the fire suppression system and all fuel lines. Maybe time to invest in a balaclava (mmm baklava).

[joestang]

That is crazy scary! I already plan to wear my balaclave any event just from the horror stories of everyone else. It's going to be hot in the summer heat, but worth it to me.

I hope Tage recovers well, and thanks for sharing.

[bpanther]

In order to save weight the rear glass was removed. There are lots of cars out there who have large holes that can suck flames (not to mention exhaust fumes) back into the cabin. This should have been ideally replaced with Lexan if the weight savings was needed.

I'm under the impression that an oil line broke loose.

Tage had a large fire system in his car and he did use it.
For those that think the minimum requirement of 2.5lb hand held will save you in a situation like this should consider how nice it would be to just pull the cable and have some instant help.

There are gory in-hospital pictures out there (if you really need to see them to convince yourself that fire is dangerous, PM me), but here are post hospital pictures. Note where he was not covered in his firesuit or nomex helmet lining.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225258_10150169534037830_790617829_6827366_39140_n .jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/218098_10150169534587830_790617829_6827371_3803966 _n.jpg

I have been just as guilty as Tage for not bothering or forgetting to put on my head sock, but i try to be religious about it. Each time you get in a the car, wear and use the best safety equipment you can buy.

[Robbie]

The other lesson to be learned is that missing a session isn't the end of the world. I believe the oil line coming off was due to his transmission falling off after it had been repaired so that he could make his race. If you can't put it back together in time and make sure that its done right, don't go out.

[G-Man]

Sorry about this incident, and heck yeah on the balaclava! I think people are crazy not to wear one.
Biggest fire-related racer injury is flame inhalation. Seared lungs don't recover.
A balaclava absorbs the sweat and is much easier to clean and replace than a helmet. And it keeps your ears from getting mushed.

[chris_venturini]

This post inspired to get out today and better route the fire systems in both of my cars to so that they are aiming at the fuel/ exhaust areas in the engine and towards the driver.

[BADVENM]

I vividly remember the story posted here a short while back about the guy having to exit his burning car with his eyes closed because of the flames and heat. Something else to consider when practicing your emergency exiting times.