For those who weren't aware Div 7 Stock racer Ken Etter was in a BAD accident a week ago Sat at Fontana. The car was very well built, but lost it's battle with a cement K-rail.

Ken is hurt bad, but alive thanks to the quality of roll bar/frame connector construction. Even though he was wearing a full face helmet, the steering column got him and broke his jaw. He feels that helmet saved his life.

Here's his own words from another site (classracer.com)

"The brake rod came out of the master cylinder. The safety braket came out or slipped allowing it to pop out. I down shifted the car to low and shut off the fuel pump, then I tried to veer to the left and scrub speed off the wall. After viewing the pictures and limited memory, I don't know how I survived the accident. I have a unique persperctive on some safety practices and policy's. The stock seat did a good job of holding me but could have been better if it had been a actual racing seat. The roll bar also came forward 8 to 10 inches allowing the straps to loosen up moving me forward at impact. When I feel better I will expand on my thoughts so no one should ever have to go through the pain and suffering I am going through now. I have a couple of tough months ahead of me but hope to be out there soon to visit with all of you. Thank you for your support."

There is a recovery fund set up and you can get details from classracer.com. Ken has been unemployeed for some time and has no insurance.

Now that the pics have been made public, here is one shot. Look at it very carefully and THINK about your stuff being as safe as YOU can make it.

Here is another. They cut the roof and roll bar to get him out...

Wow .... he was in low-gear ...scrubbing-off-speed in the guardrail ...and THIS is the result ?

Damn, that does not look good at all. I hope he heals up quick enuff and this is just one of the MANY reminders about how life can change in a split second.

Sounds like he is going to be down for a good while. Glad he is going to be ok.

But stockers aren't much safer than street cars. Not much in the way of safety equipment, like a S/G or S/C, or Comp.. Heck, even S/ST cars are, for the most part, safer..

Like I said, glad he is ok.


Chris..

Ouch! Glad he's gonna be OK!

Wow, Bob told me about that when I stopped in last Wed. Said he tried to make the turn at the end instead of going into the sand pit and nailed the K-rail. Not sure if that's right, but that front end pic kind of looks like it might.
's for a quick recovery for Ken.

Looks like he hit the end of a K-rail and not the
side of it... glad he will be ok.... does anyone know
what kind of speed he hit at... looks to be about
25mph maybe 30... looking again it could have be up
to about 40

I have known Ken and his dad Al for many years, sorry to see that happen to him. My prayers will be with him and his family for a quick and painless recovery

Is his car a 71/72 Demon runs F or G SA IIRC.

I think he loaned me a test light a few years back at MATS. Nice guy if it's him.

Hope he has a speedy recovery.

That looks real bad, glad he will be ok

What is a K-rail?

I know most stockers probably run rear discs with out an e-brake, but would a factory parking brake set-up be enough to stop a car like this?

I wish this racer a speedy recovery

Ken is a good friend of mine and I knew about his accident approx. 1 minute after the accident occured. Ken is a very experianced racer with a great driving record. This was a very unfortunate accident. The car was not his car, so im not sure how aware he was with this particular cars brake pedal and pushrod relationship. Im thinking that the little oring/grommet was not in place that locks the pushrod into the master cylinder. This is the first time that I saw the photos. Ken just did get released from the hospital and is doing OK. Im sure he will be back in the saddle once some things turn around for him. Im just glad he survived that mess.