ALL RACERS! PLEASE READ THIS............
#432600
08/09/09 03:18 PM
08/09/09 03:18 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,624 Orange County, Ca.
B1CUDA
OP
top fuel
|
OP
top fuel
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,624
Orange County, Ca.
|
It is with a very heavy heart that I advise you of this, but, a friend of mine lost his life yesterday at Fontana Raceway, in an accident that could have been avoided. Ronnie Marcum, 53, was going to test the transbrake on his dragster, in the pits, when everything went horribly wrong. Ronnie, for reasons we will never know, DID NOT have his rear wheels on Pro Jacks/ Jackstands, and when he went to test the transbrake, the throttle stuck wide open, and the dragster went through the pits at close to 100mph before impacting into a trailer, killing Ronnie instantly.(As I type this, I am still in a state of shock as Ronnie was a racers racer with decades of racing experience) A junior dragster race was being held at the track, and thankfully, the kids were up in the staging lanes when this happened. (Ronnie crashed where several of them were pitted) My friend Jeff, who has two kids that race juniors, witnessed the accident from start to finish, and watched Ronnie die. Jeff was the first one to Ronnie, but, he knew that there was nothing he could do, Ronnie was gone.
Please, please, please take a moment when you are at the track, your shop, or your garage, to make sure that you and others around you are safe. Ronnie leaves behind two kids, and several devastated friends who just can't believe this happened.....I am one of them.
|
|
|
Re: ALL RACERS! PLEASE READ THIS............
[Re: B1CUDA]
#432602
08/09/09 03:22 PM
08/09/09 03:22 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,544 Syracuse,NY
CompWedgeEngines
master
|
master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,544
Syracuse,NY
|
Man, I read that yesterday and couldnt believe it. Better advice could not be suggested than what you just wrote.Its SO EASY TO ASSUME everything is ok, and here's a case of a reality check, and a reminder how fast things can go wrong, and how easy it is to forget about safety.
Godspeed to him, and in some strange way, maybe his accident will save someone else from serious harm, or worse yet, death.
RIP Monte Smith
Your work is a reflection of yourself, autograph it with quality.
WD for Diamond Pistons,Sidewinder cylinder heads, Wiseco, K1 rods and cranks,BAM lifters, Morel lifters, Molnar Technologies, Harland Sharp, Pro Gear, Cometic, King Engine Bearings and many others.
|
|
|
Post deleted by Defbob
[Re: B1CUDA]
#432603
08/09/09 03:27 PM
08/09/09 03:27 PM
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
|
|
Re: ALL RACERS! PLEASE READ THIS............
[Re: jamesc]
#432613
08/09/09 07:28 PM
08/09/09 07:28 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,667 Arizona
Chris'sBarracuda
master
|
master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,667
Arizona
|
Hey Chris C. I have known the Marcums for 32 years. The only one I hadn't seen in awhile was Charlie. I totally agree that it is very unbelievable the Ronnie would do something like that.. I was told by a long time cop friend, who was at ground zero there, the Ronnie had sold that dragster to someone in Washington, and was sorting out some problems. The throttle was hanging up, and the car was stumbling on the brake.. Again, not making excuses for Ronnie, but I have known him for so long, it is just hard to believe he did that... After my car was wrecked, I looked a safety in a different manner. Billy D has been guilty of this offense, (when in a hurry), in the past, but NEVER again.. It's just not worth it. 15 minutes earlier, or later....We would be talking about something horrifying.. May he be with his brother Randy..In peace.. And if you have never seen any of the Marcums cars, you have missed a treat.. Some of the nicest, cleanest rides I've ever seen. His 66 Nova is just awesomely beautiful.. Chris..
|
|
|
Re: ALL RACERS! PLEASE READ THIS............
[Re: jamesc]
#432614
08/09/09 07:52 PM
08/09/09 07:52 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,928 NC
440Jim
I Live Here
|
I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,928
NC
|
Quote:
having the brake release on the starting line becomes second nature because there's no one around you and certainly no one in front of you which i personally feel are the only conditions people should have the throttle open and the brake applied.
Sorry to hear about the accident. The local track near me has a rule that testing a transbrake can only be done at the starting line, no where else. Think safety.
|
|
|
Re: ALL RACERS! PLEASE READ THIS............
[Re: 440Jim]
#432615
08/09/09 09:27 PM
08/09/09 09:27 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 264 Westbury, NY
cowbay
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 264
Westbury, NY
|
Sorry to hear about the lose. It is tragic. All it takes is a moment.
"Alcohol is for drinking, gas is for cleaning parts, and nitro is for racing!"
original author unknown, used by Gene Adams and Don Garlits among others
|
|
|
Re: ALL RACERS! PLEASE READ THIS............
[Re: 440Jim]
#432616
08/09/09 09:29 PM
08/09/09 09:29 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,330 Lynchburg, VA
Leon441
master
|
master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,330
Lynchburg, VA
|
This is terrible but could have involved more people.
It is not a good idea to test a transbrake in the pits especially at wide open throttle. But on the track the throttle could have hung just the same. What do you do? Hope you can find the kill switch. On jack stands it is not a good idea either as you can explode the tranny because there is no load on the drivetrain.
This is an ugly problem you sell a car with problems. You are trying to fix a minor problem(stumbling on the brake)the major problem (a sticky throttle) takes your life.
Sorry for those who knew and now miss him.
Leon
Career best 8.02 @ 169 at 3050# and 10" tires small block power.
|
|
|
Re: ALL RACERS! PLEASE READ THIS............
[Re: B1CUDA]
#432617
08/09/09 10:18 PM
08/09/09 10:18 PM
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
I am Ronnie's girlfriend, Tina and I loved Marcum beyond comprehension, what an incredible man he was! I am truly grateful for everyday I had with him and will miss him more than words could possibly explain! I am very grateful to all of you who have posted it helps me get through the most painful time I have ever had! To the Marcum's: Thank you for letting me be a part of your family! You are fanastic people!! Having you a part of my life especially now means the world to me!! To his Racing Friends: Thank you for making me feel so welcome and a part of the Racing Family! Love - Tina (T as he would call me)
Last edited by tholland30; 08/09/09 10:20 PM.
|
|
|
|
|