David Campbell's Safety Report - State Championship Finals

It probably didn't escape your notice that I spent a few seconds upside-down on the roll cage, going backwards, with a fair amount of smoke, sparks and flames coming from the car on the last event. Thanks to all those who asked how I was but I can honestly say I did not receive any bruises, cuts or aches from the accident. I put this down to having a strong, well built car (a big thank-you to Dean and Wal at Ribuck) and to being well strapped in and supported in the car (and being very lucky).

• My rocker cover came loose and deposited oil, and the roll cage caused considerable sparks as it ran along the track. Smoke came from the rocker cover (oil), some oil ignited.
• My helmet remained clear of the track except for one slight contact which resulted in no structural damage to the helmet but the paint was scratched.
• The cars rear wheels made contact with the track and this turned the car the right way up - fortunately pointing in the right direction.
• The impact of returning from the roll caused the sump to smash the engine casing, depositing oil and causing a flash fire (as seen on Raceline last week)
• Medical services did their thing but apart from a fast heart beat (go figure), my pulse was lower than normal and they released me.

• I wore a neck support ($65 from Revolution racewear) which gave me sufficient support - no neck aches at all.
• My roll cage was sufficiently tall enough to protect my helmet/head. If I had slid to the sand, this would not have been tall enough and my helmet would have dragged in the sand.
• I strap in very tightly. I am used to doing this every time I fly (in a plane not a car) but I still try to pull the straps as tightly as I can before racing - I do not use outside help.
• Rotating tyres have considerable stored energy and when they meet, the resulting forces are sufficient to turn a car upside-down and send it wherever momentum takes it.

• Every driver considers buying and wearing a HANS or neck support (I bought mine after Bruce and Jacob's accident)
• Every driver reviews his roll cage height/seat height and adjusts it if required BEFORE an accident. Mine is being rebuilt considerably higher.
• Every driver straps in very tightly and makes sure his seat is an exact fit (tight).
• All drivers consider the implications of tyres meeting tyres when they race.
• The FVAWA committee consider printing this report on the website and encourage drivers to write further reports in the name of Safety so that we can all learn by other peoples misfortune. No personal blame should ever be included in a safety report.