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Baja 1k two dead

Mandelon

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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.
 

92562

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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

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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

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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

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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
IMG_4893.png
 

lbhsbz

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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

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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

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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
 

havasujeeper

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.
 
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SkyDirtWaterguy

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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. ☹️
Well, the second thing he did was grab his cell phone out of the truck after he jumped out to push the truck back. Maybe to let someone know he was Fucked!? Personally I would've rather seen him run over to the guys he hit and check on them first!
 

Bigbore500r

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Horrible deal for everyone involved.

Never stand between a running vehicle and another object, no matter who is behind the wheel.

Wont speculate on the driver's actions, but if he was hotdogging that's a real fucked scenario too.
 

FCT

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Horrible deal for everyone.

Not that it changes anything with those who passed away, but I hope it was a malfunction and not some guy being a dumbass.

I can’t imagine Mexico prison will be very nice on the white boy there if hes stuck there long term.
 

4Waters

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Horrible deal for everyone.

Not that it changes anything with those who passed away, but I hope it was a malfunction and not some guy being a dumbass.

I can’t imagine Mexico prison will be very nice on the white boy there if hes stuck there long term.
It might not be that bad, all of Mexico's criminals have been relocated here
 

bonesfab

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Honestly, watching videos of the races down there it is amazing more people have not been killed. The people lining the jumps and landing areas is fucking nuts. And to have the balls as a driver to keep it pinned knowing that possibility is out there either takes some serious stones or a whole bunch of FUK IT ALL. Rip to the deceased.
 

dirtslinger2

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What is an unbanded pit member, are they allowed to move the vehicles
They did not have a wrist band, to be driving the truck. This appears to be a friend or something of the crew. Maybe he'll get lucky, and he was on the waiver, but hadn't put his wrist band on. Hopefully for him, cause right now, he's FUCKED.
 

rivrrts429

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What is an unbanded pit member, are they allowed to move the vehicles

This is mine as a driver/co-driver that I’m wearing this week. You’re a SCORE member and you can operate the race vehicle. Pit crew members are a different color wristband I think. The wristband allows you to fall under the “protection” of SCORE as it relates to insurance and liability type issues. Also let’s SCORE know you’re a legit racer at the three different checkpoints they have along the course.

IMG_3901.jpeg
 

4Waters

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They did not have a wrist band, to be driving the truck. This appears to be a friend or something of the crew. Maybe he'll get lucky, and he was on the waiver, but hadn't put his wrist band on. Hopefully for him, cause right now, he's FUCKED.
This is mine as a driver/co-driver that I’m wearing this week. You’re a SCORE member and you can operate the race vehicle. Pit crew members are a different color wristband I think. The wristband allows you to fall under the “protection” of SCORE as it relates to insurance and liability type issues. Also let’s SCORE know you’re a legit racer at the three different checkpoints they have along the course.

View attachment 1450821
He is really fucked if he doesn't have the waiver signed, the team may be fucked as well
 

FCT

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Honestly, watching videos of the races down there it is amazing more people have not been killed. The people lining the jumps and landing areas is fucking nuts. And to have the balls as a driver to keep it pinned knowing that possibility is out there either takes some serious stones or a whole bunch of FUK IT ALL. Rip to the deceased.
I agree! The spectators are insane. I did the 250 in 2011 on a bike with a couple buddies and a few times I thought I was going to eat shit from hitting spectators but those fuxkers scatter fast 🤣
 

crzy2bealive

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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.
Makes me think twice now walking in between trophy trucks as they are driving through hammertown to the start line.
 

monkeyswrench

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Off topic, but how loose a converter are TT's running? It's been a long time since I've been to a race...I think 7 trucks probably now make the power TT's did then.
 

rrrr

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Heart broken to find out tonight that one of my off road friends was one of the ones fatally injured. 😢
I'm so very sorry. What a tragedy. At certain times, the dangers of racing can extend to all activities and personnel surrounding it, but no one expected this. It's horrible.

I worked on a team which hired two members that were badly injured in a pit road collision between two cars during a practice session the previous season. Both became shop only employees. One had serious leg injuries, the other suffered a TBI that altered his life forever.

It changed the way that I performed my duties during pit stops. From then on, I always had one eye on the cars coming in, and was ready to pull my tire changer over the wall to safety if needed.

I found a news story about it, but there's not much detail.

 

monkeyswrench

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If i was any part of that team I would already be home in bed drunk.
Like home home. Do not pass go, do not fucking stop driving til the driveway.
Mechanical failure or driver error... I don't think I would be clear enough to find my way home after the chaos subsided. I couldn't leave the people injured either. In a way, I kind of respect the driver was there to get arrested.
 

HCP3

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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 clearly wearing shoes and socks. What a terrible deal for the victims.
 
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Done-it-again

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Anyone get this angle?
It was posted earlier. Check out the lights behind the spare. Looks like he is ridding the brakes as he hits the gas then they go off and on in a oh shit moment.
 

HubbaHubbaLife

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Horrible deal for everyone.

Not that it changes anything with those who passed away, but I hope it was a malfunction and not some guy being a dumbass.

I can’t imagine Mexico prison will be very nice on the white boy there if hes stuck there long term.
Prisons & Jails down here are terrible relative to US cush places.... I am told they don't really feed ya which I find hard to believe but have heard several times families have to cross border and bring folks food to eat.
 

monkeyswrench

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Prisons & Jails down here are terrible relative to US cush places.... I am told they don't really feed ya which I find hard to believe but have heard several times families have to cross border and bring folks food to eat.
Dunno how it is now, but 25 years ago had an acquaintance that did a few months. It was pretty much like a hostage situation. Family visited every week, and "rent" was paid. If payment was made, you ate and were kept somewhat safe.
 

HubbaHubbaLife

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Yikes.... with a
Dunno how it is now, but 25 years ago had an acquaintance that did a few months. It was pretty much like a hostage situation. Family visited every week, and "rent" was paid. If payment was made, you ate and were kept somewhat safe.
Yikes... with a little luck and intelligence I hopefully will never know for sure.....
 

rivermobster

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Dunno how it is now, but 25 years ago had an acquaintance that did a few months. It was pretty much like a hostage situation. Family visited every week, and "rent" was paid. If payment was made, you ate and were kept somewhat safe.

My cousin got locked up for 6 months for some weed (ages ago). Was pretty much the same deal with him.
 

monkeyswrench

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My cousin got locked up for 6 months for some weed (ages ago). Was pretty much the same deal with him.
I never heard exactly what this guy did. He was the father of a kid down the street when I bought my first house. Good Mormon family, really nice. He was probably about the age I am now, late 40ish? I assume he was possibly taking things to the Mormon groups down there he shouldn't have, or maybe didn't pay the proper "fees" asked of him. He spoke fluent Spanish, and his youngest son did his mission in Mexico City ten years after.
 
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