A drag racer was killed Saturday at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana when the transmission on his dragster engaged during a break test, propelling the vehicle into a parked trailer at more than 100 miles per hour.Given that the pit areas of drag races are generally open to the public it's a wonder there wasn't anyone else hurt in this crash.
The crash happened at 8:30 a.m. in the pit area of the race complex, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Ronald F. Marcum, 53, of La Habra was seated behind the steering wheel of a dragster conducting a transmission-brake test, CHP Officer Jeff Briggs said.
The test involves revving the vehicle's engine at high RPMs while the transmission is not engaged. National Hot Rod Association rules require such tests to be conducted with a vehicle's tires off the ground, but Marcum did not follow that procedure, according to Briggs.
While Marcum revved the engine, the dragster's transmission suddenly engaged, and the vehicle sped off at more than 100 miles per hour.
The dragster crashed into a parked trailer.
Briggs said only that Marcum sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Freak Drag Racing Accident in Fontana
I used to follow drag racing quite a bit and was always impressed with the power and speed of those cars. Today there was a freak accident at the Auto Club Dragway in Fontana that took the life of a driver:
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5 comments:
Crappy thing to happen. But he was doing what he loved to do...
Mike (his cousin)
This is horrible but he did not follow the rules for seating a converter and brakes. The car should have been on jack stands, not on the ground. This is a mandate and standard operating procedure in the NHRA and IHRA rulebook.
Yes a very horrible thing> I had the privilege of being his friend of 20 + yrs. I have lived in Arizona for the past 12 yrs, but we have managed to spend two times a yr together at the National and Divisional events at Firebird Raceway here in Arizona. I loved him very much and Randy too. I will still race in his honor in my 69 Dodge Dart Swinger in the Super Street Class. as a matter of fact I ran my first 9 seconds on the night of Aug 8th. I decided to still race despite the news i got after calling his cell phone to get a few pointers on getting my NHRA license and to ask how his raced day is going... I could not believe when Tina answered the phone and gently told me the news. Devestated I still decided to make my licensed passes at the track Ron and I spent so much time together at and I ran a 9.97 he would be so proud. I will miss hom but am glad he was doing wht he loved - MAN HE LOVED RACING....
- Terry (his friend)
I loved Marcum beyond comprehension, what an incredible person 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)
I wanted to ensure the as many people get this information as possible he had many friends and I want to ensure they get a chance to honor him.
Services Scheduled are as follows:
All services will be conducted at Rose Hills located at 3888 Workman Mill Rd. in Whittier.
Visitation - Sunday 8/16/09 from 6:00pm-8:30pm
Funeral - Monday 8/17/09 at 11am - Sky Rose Chapel
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