Baja 1k two dead

[Mandelon]

Tragic accident. What can be learned?

Don't stand between vehicles where you can get crushed. Seeing the lineups of vehicles at other races, like KOH folks are weaving in and out of the vehicles as they move towards the start or just safety check. Or on the side of the road too. Lots of police car youtube dash cams show what happens. And it happens in an instant. Be aware!

I knew a guy who's pal got his legs severely damaged between two golf carts. He was messing in his bag and his buddy came in too hot in the cart behind him. Smashed his legs and ended his golfing and walking ability for a long time.

Hitting the wrong pedal by accident is not that rare.

 

[lf2]

I think the rules say it can’t be drive by wire and they need two throttle return springs.

But I could be wrong

Most all modern TT are DBW. Along with 6100, 10 and 5 cars.

 

[92562]

maybe after the initial blip to get the truck to move with a high stall converter and act like a stuck throttle....not enough time for the operator to react to the unexpected "throttle hang" type of situation.

Just like shutting down a fuel engine....the RPMs always climb when fuel is cut as it leans out right before it shuts down

This is what is sounded like to me. The first blip was below the stall of the converter but the 2nd was above. Depending on how tight the converter is, not even the brakes would hold it.

 

[rivrrts429]

Obviously that isn’t the driver of the truck in the actual race.. is he just some helper that drives it through contingency?

Either way he’s completely screwed now..

I was talking to a guy at the accident scene who saw the driver being arrested. Said he didn’t see the driver with a SCORE wristband either which isn’t good. Doesn’t mean he didn’t have one and maybe hadn’t been wearing it yet. But if he didn’t have one at all and was just a friend of the team then I don’t think this falls under SCORE’s insurance either.

The drivers life as well as the lives of those killed or severely injured and their families lives are forever changed.

 

[RVR_RCN]

Baja races in Mexico are a blast to spectate, did it for many years. People get too comfortable around these race cars and shit can go bad real quick. I've stood in tech between cars many times in the crowds with cars running thinking nothing of it, this is so sad for the people killed. The bigger issue is still spectators on the course especially around Ojos Negros where they crowd the jumps to see the trophy trucks up close. It would only take one accident to take out dozens of people.

 

[RVRKID]

I may have seen the dude driving that truck hop out with flip flops on (maybe not) - which can be a reason for unintended acceleration. just speculating. if so easy for a loose flip flop to jam a pedal. such a sad ordeal honestly

He was in socks and shoes

 

[lbhsbz]

This is what is sounded like to me. The first blip was below the stall of the converter but the 2nd was above. Depending on how tight the converter is, not even the brakes would hold it.

I only mentioned that because I recalled a time when I fired up a car at the dealer that had been sort of "taken apart but put back together enough to drive out into the lot" and as soon as I clicked into gear it idled up before it could make any vacuum to run the brakes for shit and I crashed it into another car the next row over lol. There were a few vacuum operated things disconnected.

 

[whiteworks]

I hate to say this, but that dude should have got out of that car and ran for his life straight to the border. Mexico is nuts, it’s all good until it’s not, and nothing about that situation is good.

 

[Boat211]

It could’ve been a lot worse with the thousands of people around. I just didn’t see anyone that had died. Doesn’t mean they didn’t later. It was a sad deal for sure. Trophy truck was impounded and driver taken to jail.

Was chaos with all the police and people injured. Thankful my friends and family were all okay. Feel terrible for those injured. The one who got stuck between the trophy truck and car was injured badly. Looked like his hand was severed.

View attachment 1450542

Anyone notice the little kid in the 1685 car? You can see him in the video

 

[rivrrts429]

Anyone notice the little kid in the 1685 car? You can see him in the video

Yes, the kid was injured too.

 

[havasujeeper]

My sand rail had a stuck throttle cable once, with a power pole right in front of me. I sold that pig the same day!

I now give the benefit of the doubt and believe this could have been a mechanical malfunction.

 

[Frickstyle]

Damn. I was at a friends house party and there were hot rods there.

An older guy went to fire up his 30s rod, car didn't have a safety neutral switch (I'm sure most don't). Car hopped into, and t-boned the car in front of it - with a little 5 year old girl pinched in between.... It. was. horrific. I was at the drivers door when this happened (he was showing me the car) - probably 3 ft away from the little girl.

Turns out she broke her leg, which was amazing considering. Other than that full recovery.

Above looked like a complete accident (Obviously). Feel for all involved.

Like in manufacturing - avoid all the pinch points!!! Remember this video when you're around a crowd of cars or machinery. Happens so fast you cannot react....

 

[HotRod82]

They don't fail like that, cable throttles have way more issues sticking.

Most of those trophy trucks are not DBW for what it's worth, many running ITB setups. Not sure about this one in particular, but that is the norm from what i have seen, Which always made me scratch my head, as the DBW is such a superior setup from an engine management and reliability standpoint

DBW 'failure' worst case is a high idle, which through a trophy truck converter and drive train etc isn't gonna be like what happened there.

Well, they're not supposed to fail like that.....they are sprung closed. However, my FBW ecotech powered buggy failed to about half throttle. Really weird, it was while loading it into the trailer. I agree cables are less reliable but the sound of the truck on the video didn't sound intentional to me, sounded like a malfunction but who knows? Sad deal all around.

 

[Racey]

Well, they're not supposed to fail like that.....they are sprung closed. However, my FBW ecotech powered buggy failed to about half throttle. Really weird, it was while loading it into the trailer. I agree cables are less reliable but the sound of the truck on the video didn't sound intentional to me, sounded like a malfunction but who knows? Sad deal all around.

They don't actually spring closed, they spring to "high idle". The motor is actually pulling it more closed at idle. Free rev is probably 2500rpm or something on a stock deal, but those teophy truck drive trains are so gnarly and parasitic it won't be anywhere near enough to make the truck jump like that.

 

[Tooms22]

Well, they're not supposed to fail like that.....they are sprung closed. However, my FBW ecotech powered buggy failed to about half throttle. Really weird, it was while loading it into the trailer. I agree cables are less reliable but the sound of the truck on the video didn't sound intentional to me, sounded like a malfunction but who knows? Sad deal all around.

I'm way less mechanically inclined than most on here but I have to agree with this on the sound aspect.

I can't fathom a team member driving a truck and having a brain fart that results in a 3ish second throttle stab.

 

[Bajastu]

Ther are too many blips of the throttle to be a vacuum leak with a consistent source of air to make a lean condition. I'd bet that he blipped the throttle, and he got his foot stuck on the throttle pedal hook trying to use the same foot for the brake. Most TT drivers use two feet to drive, one on the throttle and one on the brake.

RIP to those who lost thier lives and I hope for a speedy recovery to those who were injured.