Death at Alford 23-08-17

[oobster]

Sounds like a horrible accident, although with the Health & Safety Executive being informed makes it sound like an employee of the museum involved rather than someone using the track?

https://stv.tv/news/north/1396277-man-dies-in-car-...

[Guffy]

Seems a bit odd being on the track in a Caterham when the weather was so poor, it's a horrible little track at the best of times, but when it's pishin doon.. there's not much of a run off either, have seen a few vehicles just slide off into the barriers. Remember when I was playing catch up racing on there and I couldn't even use third gear, probably different for more track focussed cars.

Anyway, Very sad and unlucky, RIP.

[foz01]

A caterham was it?

[EzyQ]

on local news last night a clear rear end picture of the car involved showing it had smashed thru one of the sleeper tracker barriers, the car being a rear engine kit car and I can only presume it was a sylva riot yellow in colour

any one who knows Alford track will know the railway sleeper track barriers are around thigh height and pretty solid..... when ever there is an organised event on there are round hay bails placed around the track covering these sleepers

car was sitting on the far side from the grandstand at the end of the straight museum end of the track

really tragic that this has happened, weather may have been a factor or possible mechanical fault with the car

I rented the track just 3 weeks ago for my son to give his car a shake down, can almost be certain that the track will no longer be available for the private hire which was available for 1hr week day mornings for only £50

[mon the fish]

I've always wondered what medical backup was necessary at a private track hire like this. The GTM is run very well and I have no doubt that they would follow all rules & regs fully, but certainly at an organised race/test at a bigger circuit I'd imagine there are set standards

[EzyQ]

mon the fish said:

I've always wondered what medical backup was necessary at a private track hire like this. The GTM is run very well and I have no doubt that they would follow all rules & regs fully, but certainly at an organised race/test at a bigger circuit I'd imagine there are set standards

they always have medical cover when running events, however this being a private hire day there is a disclaimer the driver fills out

see link http://www.gtm.org.uk/assets/booking-forms/Events-...

they have named the guy James Hickey 22 yr old from Inverness

[oobster]

He's a mechanic according to his facebook page, there is a picture of him sitting in front of a yellow kit car.

Thoughts to his family.

[foz01]

Sad, RIP!

Often considered hiring out the track to do shakedowns as well.

[eck c]

Very tragic indeed.

GTM also announced the cancellation this years AllFord Event & Motorcycle Convention, I would imagine there may be implications for future Sprint Series & Event Pursuits etc.

[EzyQ]

eck c said:

Very tragic indeed.

GTM also announced the cancellation this years AllFord Event & Motorcycle Convention, I would imagine there may be implications for future Sprint Series & Event Pursuits etc.

the sprints are all run under MSA regulations via the local car clubs, so when in use the track has to meet criteria, one of the requirements is to cover all the sleeper type barriers with hay bales

[eck c]

EzyQ said:

eck c said:

Very tragic indeed.

GTM also announced the cancellation this years AllFord Event & Motorcycle Convention, I would imagine there may be implications for future Sprint Series & Event Pursuits etc.

the sprints are all run under MSA regulations via the local car clubs, so when in use the track has to meet criteria, one of the requirements is to cover all the sleeper type barriers with hay bales

I haven't attended a sprint there for a few years now but the bales were used quite sparingly IIRC, was it not after a certain TVR went off at Speedfest that initiated a requirement for more bales? more so at events with a higher public attendance.

[mon the fish]

Even non-car community-type events that use the track have been cancelled now