Airfence - Thoughts, facts, myths, fundraisers..

[Loun]

that is the training they give us. i went through the course 2 races ago... ever since your first post on the subject it seems like theres something else you really wanted to say... who moved who? who took what off? you have to be bitter about or referring to something happening.. (edit* if im wrong I appologize in advance)

Again the danger with half ass training a bunch of people who arent used to their adrenaline pumping seems obvious. My first race corner working I ended up with a guy that face planted in 3, big hit to the head and the EMTS had me holding his head while they immobilized his neck and then take over the count for moving rolling and lifting.. While I was ok with it and can maintain my calm in those situations I do not think that should be something a corner worker needs to or should be doing. If they say to themselves, hey im trained... and they legitimately arent I think they will be causing a lot more problems than they will help. Everyone has a job, theirs is to maintain the safety of the themselves first and foremost, then downed rider, and the riders on the track and truly nothing else.

with that said id gladly accept ur training but id still leave the injuries to the pros, if i can lend a hand by holding or lifting or keeping a rider calm then im all for it.

Back to the airfence though, any ideas who we would need to legitimately contact to try to work on something or make this a reality for next season?

Who is in charge of the barriers now? US marshalls, the track, lrrs officials, the crazy guy that rides the bicycle that got banned from the track?

-Lou

[Doc]

Lou...

You have PM.

[Awesome]

Why is it that anyone that's new to the track coming through the tunnel knows how things should be done better than the long time established associations?

[Doc]

Jay... As I am new I will comment.


I don't think things need to be done differently. I only offer suggestions that MAY, possibly, improve the service.

Always looking how to do it better is one of the hallmarks of EMS.

[nt650hawk]

[Bleave the rider alone and let the medical personnel do their job[/B]

I for one (AS A cornerworker) would rather try to get the basic information from the rider or observe what the rider is doing and wait for the pro's then I can fill them in with what I have obtained. Personally, I feel that it would be in the riders best interest to get care from someone who is thoroughly trained and educated on a regularly basis in dealing with these situations. I'm not. As much as I want to help out I know someone can and will do it better and that is what everyone should deserve. The best care possible.

For the past T1 crash. I saw Tim hit and ram thru 3 sets of tires. It was not pretty. The thing with T1 is that there is already air fences along the concrete wall. From what I observed with Tim's crash is that the tires may have caused more damage to him than the initial impact. (I did not see the contact.) There is plenty of run off and there is already air-fence on the wall. I'm no rocket scientist but resistance tends to slow things down at a slower rate than having things in your path to help you slow down quicker. (I'm only talking about T1 Here) I question myself constantly now, would Tim have had as severe injury if the tires were not there OR having a low air fence in front of the tires? I don't know. I do know that I walked away from hitting the tires in 10 that are only backed up to the concrete wall at around 70's. I guess it all depends on how you hit things. Unfortunately these things have to be experimented with. If there was a guide to tell us what will prevent injuries, all the tracks would be 100% safe. (What world is that on, sign me up Scottie). I'm all in for trying things that will make the sport safer. Yes, $ is usually involved. The question that always comes up about safety is how much is your head worth. The same can be applied to the track. How much is your body/life worth. RIP all fallen brothers/sisters. For this year 33 Scott Bosworth, 767 Connor LaFrance should be a strong reminder that life is short. I will be dropping a few of Benç—´ at the riders meeting for Connor and improving the track. Think long and hard if you have any doubts about your safety and for the others that love you. This decision came quickly and easily for me.

[Honclfibr]

Ask simple questions: "What's your name? What day is it? Can you move your toes?"

"Who is your daddy and what does he do?"

[Loun]

Definitely not saying that I know better, which is why I admitted im new and not a racer, but I do my research and am just making suggestions and asking questions is all.

And I guess the easiest way to answer you question though would be, the same reason they have term limits.. People get comfortable, comfort usually gets in the way of progress.

Thanks for the PM Doc, I think we both agree with each other

As far as the T1 incident goes, id be willing to bet that the broken hit took place when he impacted the track not when he hit the tires. To me it would seem like tire strings would be a better cause of sprained or broken limbs, unless they were full of water, but they werent, they all got dumped that morning. But yea as you said im sure its accident dependent on how and where they hit and so on.

[Doc]

Umm yeah... I agree that there should be professionals doing patient care, that I have no issues with the medical staff at NHIS and I think MORE education never hurt anyone.

[RyanNicholson]

i read on the near list that the ball is already rolling (posted by jerry) on a fund for airfences and safety around NHIS. it was also pointed out that the RRW action fund can organize track-specific funds through their 501c3 (or however the fund is set up) so it is tax deductable.

[Kitt]

Why is it that anyone that's new to the track coming through the tunnel knows how things should be done better than the long time established associations?

cause all the vets are out of ideas... too manaccidents on hjc helmets

[Johnny B]

where do I send money?

Welcome - RoadracingWorld Action Fund

Donate online, by phone or mail. Specify that you want the funds you send used to provide barriers for LRRS in memory of Connor LaFrance.

Documentation for your tax deduction and a t-shirt (T-shirt for donations over $25.00, specify size.) will be sent to you.

[Doc]

Done. Waiting on my T-shirt.

[Loun]

Keep in mind that with that link above none of that money will go to fix anythign at NHIS. A fund still needs to be setup with them for NHIS I believe, someone correct me if im wrong.

-Lou

[Puppet]

ummm....

Welcome - RoadracingWorld Action Fund Specify that you want the funds you send used to provide barriers for LRRS in memory of Connor LaFrance.

you can donate through the fund and have it used as necessary or have it earmarked for use at a specific facility. The advantage to donating through RRW is that the airfence can be purchased a little cheaper due the bulk they buy

[Loun]

im on the phone with them now will report back in a minute.

[Loun]

I just talked to Trudy as of right now you can donate in the name of LRRS but there is nothing setup and noone setup there to take care of it so the funds will not be used for LRRS unless something is setup between them and LRRS.

She said that if they start seeing a lot of "for LRRS or NHIS" donations they will notice it but without someone on the LRRS or NHIS side working with them it wont be used there "We cant just buy and ship airfence, someone has to receive it and take care of it"

So yes.. you can request all you want but with something setup between LRRS and their group, it wont do NHIS and LRRS any good. Also she said they just worked something out with another track or group that they matched donations..

Who knows someone at LRRS that can contact them?
Roadracing World Action Fund
P.O. Box 1428
Lake Elsinore, CA 92531
(951) 245-6411 Phone
Contact I talked to was Trudy

-Lou

[Puppet]

Well...this is straight from Jerry as posted on the NEAR list about a week ago...I'd say John Ulrich is probably a better source than Trudy

Gang,

I spoke with John Ulrich as Eric Kelcher suggested and sure enough
Roadracing World will help us big time. Basically, we donate to the
fund in Connor's memory and the units will come to Loudon at the best
rate and shipping plus the RRW fund will kick in some too. I think that
this is great! What do you have to say?

John also told me about some new product from Airfence (foam blocks
like we have now, with new tech) that has a front sand bag feature to
keep bikes from getting under. Donations will be tax deductible.

Jerry

[Loun]

I'd say John Ulrich is probably a better source than Trudy

edited for content lol. I dont know whos who I just know I called the number and posted what i was told.

Hope you are right and hope we can make things safer up there.

[Puppet]

sorry...that did sound a little short...
I'm not trying to make it a pissing contest. The info that Johnny passed came from basically the top of LRRS as a result of conversation with the top of RRW.

Hopefully that means that it just hasn't filtered through the staff yet. With collections anticipated this weekend, I'm sure it'll get sorted pretty quickly.

haha...got me on the super-sneaky ninja while i took way too long to type my reply

[Loun]

yea trying not to be that guy... but yea I just hope we can get a couple more up there. I will be there corner working all weekend, probably in T3. Be safe!

[Johnny B]

After Jerry posted the announcement on the NEAR List, I PM'd John Ulrich on the WERA BBS just to make sure that nothing was "lost in translation".
"Specify that you want the funds you send used to provide barriers for LRRS in memory of Connor LaFrance." was what I got directly from him as a further clarification over Jerry stating that money donated in Connor's name would automatically be earmarked for NHIS.

[Puppet]

sweet

thanks Johnny

[Johnny B]

I just handled it. It's all fine. All the money will go to sections for LRRS and we'll kick in more sections beyond what is raised by LRRS and is designated In Memory Of Connor LaFrance. I had already worked this all out with Jerry Wood but forgot to send Trudy a memo on it before I headed out of town. Now I'm back and she now knows all about it. Feel free to post this to the list to answer any questions.

John Ulrich
Roadracing World Action Fund

There you go! Just to make damn sure, say that you want the money used for LRRS in addition to dedicating it to Connor.