“The Steering Wheel Came Off In His Hands”

On September 14th of last year, a participant in the "Rusty Wallace Racing Experience" at Kentucky Speedway crashed into first the inside track wall, then the SAFER barrier on the outside of the track. One week later, he died from the multiple and severe injuries he sustained in that crash.

On Wednesday, the text of the lawsuit filed by his estate against multiple parties was released. The allegations contained in the lawsuit should horrify anyone who has ever considered participating in, or instructing for, one of these rent-a-stock-car "experiences".

The full text is available here but I will summarize the most disturbing allegations below:

• The quick-release steering wheel on the car provided to Mr. Cox wasn't just carelessly installed after Cox got in the car – it was on backwards. This is possible with some of the cheaper circle-track equipment and indeed when I went circle-tracking back in 2009 or so I once had my crew do it to me.
• The position of the wheel after the crash and various forensic evidence suggests that the wheel came off in his hands while Cox was driving at over 100mph.
• And it's at least the third time that such a thing has happened at the Rusty Wallace Expericence.
• To get him comfortable in the car, a thick foam pad was placed behind Cox, putting him in a position to strike his head against the halo cage should there be a crash.
• The car was immediately cleared from the track so other participants could have their Experience.
• Mr. Cox was hard on the brakes when he hit the wall, attempting to stop a car with no steering wheel.
• The cage failed and the A-pillar cracked, possibly because it was hit that hard by the driver's head.
• The head supports on the seat were rendered ineffective by the placement of the spacer pad behind Cox.
• Although Cox had a HANS device on, it didn't work…
  • …because photos show the shoulder belt was routed next to it, not over it,
  • …possibly because the individual who strapped Cox in has a "long history of drug abuse".
  • …leading to a basal skull fracture,
  • …which is what the HANS prevents.
• The seatbelts in the car were expired and not legal for competition.
• The driver's suit was not competition legal.
• No gloves were provided.
• The seat was not SFI-rated (although to be fair, I don't think the LaJoie seat in my Neon is, and I've hit the wall at Mid-Ohio at approximately 90 mph and walked away thanks to that LaJoie seat and my HANS Professional.)
• The window net was from 2006.
• Medical expenses for Mr. Cox prior to his death exceeded $414,000.

If even half of these allegations are true, and the plaintiffs have plenty of photographic and forensic evidence to suggest that this was the case, then "Rusty Wallace Racing Experience" has probably turned its last lap. But they aren't the only game out there. So, let's go over some brief safety guidelines for any time that you spend in a rent-a-racer or rental exotic car:

• The car you are about to drive should pass a basic visual inspection.
• You should look for the presence of technical personnel there checking the cars for tire pressure, lug nut torque, and fluid leaks.
• Make sure your helmet fits your head snugly. If they give you a HANS device, make sure it's attached correctly to your helmet (by tugging on it HARD) and make sure the belts go OVER the HANS.
• Ask for gloves, preferably fireproof ones. They can save your hands.
• Don't drive a car with excessive play in the steering or a low brake pedal or any noises that don't sound right to you.
• If something scares you when you're on the track, come in immediately and go home. It's cheaper than taking a LifeFlight, trust me.
• It's okay to ask your instructor for his qualifications…
• …and don't go on an unfamiliar track, or with an unfamiliar car, without an instructor.

If you have further questions about a particular event or provider, email me care of the site and I'll tell you the whole truth as I know it and nothing but, okay?

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