Duane Sims
aka "The Admin"
Posts:926
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| 07 Aug 2010 11:55 AM |
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We apologize for the delay in the live report, we had internet service yesterday and this morning we did not. Hope you enjoy! |
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| Get Interactive and let's Preserve the Past, Report the Present and Promote the Future through Teamwork and Technology! |
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Dale Murray
Gold Memeber
Posts:119
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| 07 Aug 2010 02:57 PM |
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I Heard that Speed Sport has Crashed and Drivers condition has not be confirmed as of yet Praying for a good outcome and for His team and Family |
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| DSM |
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ray brignolio
Pro Racer
Posts:21
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| 07 Aug 2010 03:40 PM |
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Any updates on John
praying for good news
Ray
Pro/e829 |
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Stacey Smith
Pro Racer
Posts:28
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| 07 Aug 2010 03:55 PM |
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All my love to the Haas and Speed Sport family! Can Not believe its true - John will be greatly missed! |
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| Stacey Smith |
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Connie Marron
Pro Racer
Posts:23
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| 07 Aug 2010 03:59 PM |
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My heart is with everyone associated with Speed Sport. We love you all and will miss John very much! |
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kent price
Pro Racer
Posts:37
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| 07 Aug 2010 04:41 PM |
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i am physicaly sick over this... i looked up to john and the whole speedsports team....all our prayers ,concerns go out to eveyrone at speedsports...in a state of shock...cant believe it...all of the draggin crew have you guys in our prayers...kent and lori |
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Bob Prigmore
Posts:406
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| 07 Aug 2010 05:00 PM |
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this is unbelievable, and absolutely sucks... thoughts and prayers to john's family and team... |
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Rick Carlson
Old Timer
Posts:48
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| 07 Aug 2010 07:25 PM |
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Duane, or someone who has facts (not rumor or speculation)...can you please give us an accurate update?
Rick Carlson |
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| "We never knew exactly what he did, until he quit doing it." |
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Dale Murray
Gold Memeber
Posts:119
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| 07 Aug 2010 07:28 PM |
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John Haas has passed away due to his injuries suffered in his crash GOD SPEED John Prayers for his crew and Family |
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| DSM |
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Connie Marron
Pro Racer
Posts:23
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| 07 Aug 2010 07:54 PM |
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Rick- This was post by Lucas oil on the their Facebook. There is no rumor or speculation. We have lost John Haas due to injuries from a crash.
Shawn Eslinger August 7 at 5:25pm Reply
For those of you who haven't heard, we lost John Haas today in a terrible wreck during the Chouteau, OK race.
Please keep his family and team in your prayers. |
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Rick Carlson
Old Timer
Posts:48
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| 07 Aug 2010 07:58 PM |
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Dale, thank you for answering. I kept hopin'...but.... |
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| "We never knew exactly what he did, until he quit doing it." |
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james bouse
Fan
Posts:4
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| 07 Aug 2010 09:21 PM |
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I was there today when John's accident happened.I talked my wife into going to watch the races and told her that there was nothing like the speed and power of these boats.The sound alone is somewhat scary to some and let her know it would be loud.We got there later than I wanted but I was'nt complaining 1 bit.We were there for about 20 minutes or so and I said come on I want to show you some of the nitro boats and there shop on wheels.We walked towards the starting line because we came in at the finish line.(Where I like to be)while walking we looked at maybe 4 or 5 then stopped at the speed sport set up as I was checking out the side of the trailer (at the 252 + mph ran and 1000ft record as well as the 05,07,08,09 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS )as we started to move on down ,she said is that the driver.I looked over and said yes.He was in his driving suit shaking some guys hand and being friendly answering questions.a few minutes later (10-15)they say the nitro boats are starting soon.I said lets head back to the finish I want to record this especially since its the 1st one you've ever seen.I didnt get my camcorder on and set up quick enuf to catch all of the 1st two that ran.Then John came up by himself and just before the blue markers you could hear the engine rev and let off a few times.I'm not sure what caused the porpoise effect.It may have been a gust of wind that raised the front enuf to make him work the pedal to cause the porpoising.in a matter of seconds it was over.I turned to my wife and she was (unexplainable in words) terrified.The only driver she ever saw was John and he's gone.We had to leave and at 11:28 pm this day we still feel this empty hurt for him as if it just happened.My wife will never go see another drag boat race and I understand. |
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james bouse
Fan
Posts:4
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| 07 Aug 2010 09:56 PM |
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I seen a great driver lose his life but I wonder if it HAD to happen.I have some questions I would like to ask anyone.I dont know the rules or safety regulations but I'll ask anyway. 1st- Why would you need a rescue boat up around the start area.If a crash happens it dam sure wont be there.If for the VERY SLIM chance a boat (what?)blows up one of those 5 or 6 waverunners should have a extinguisher.2nd -Why have a RESCUE BOAT there that cant get the driver out of the water with the crew thats on it.3-rd when the 2nd boat has to help get the driver out of the water (THIS IS THE ONE THAT CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE IN LIFE OR DEATH) not 1 NOT EVEN ONE person khows how to give CPR. THIS is how I seen It.
John Haas crashed and the first rescue boat arrives approx. 1min. to 1min 30 sec. gets ahold of the capsule but cant lift if out of the water the 2nd rescue boat arrives 45sec to 1min later then it takes BOTH of them thats 2 boats with 1 man each trying to get the driver out.I'd rather see 1 boat with 2 guys or 2 guys in each boat if 2 boats are required.Whats the purpose of 2 RESCUE BOATS if 1 CANT get the driver out.(pray 2 never crash at the same time) Most of all what is the rescue part if no one on the RESCUE BOAT gives CPR.If a driver is'nt breathing he needs out of that capsule and CPR then worry about his injuries.Then to see after all this time and they get him to the bank 2min or so I hear an ambulance coming from the starting line end.I'm sorry if anyone takes this wrong actually NO I'M NOT. (I dont know)BUT I dont think John Haas died from injuries he had to much time to drown.Ambulance (2) drivers only need 1 in the ambulance if their sitting why not sit where it would be best needed & DAM sure be at the finish line area when the NITRO BOATS RUN. |
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james bouse
Fan
Posts:4
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| 07 Aug 2010 09:59 PM |
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Posted By james bouse on 07 Aug 2010 09:21 PM
I was there today when John's accident happened.I talked my wife into going to watch the races and told her that there was nothing like the speed and power of these boats.The sound alone is somewhat scary to some and let her know it would be loud.We got there later than I wanted but I was'nt complaining 1 bit.We were there for about 20 minutes or so and I said come on I want to show you some of the nitro boats and there shop on wheels.We walked towards the starting line because we came in at the finish line.(Where I like to be)while walking we looked at maybe 4 or 5 then stopped at the speed sport set up as I was checking out the side of the trailer (at the 252 + mph ran and 1000ft record as well as the 05,07,08,09 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS )as we started to move on down ,she said is that the driver.I looked over and said yes.He was in his driving suit shaking some guys hand and being friendly answering questions.a few minutes later (10-15)they say the nitro boats are starting soon.I said lets head back to the finish I want to record this especially since its the 1st one you've ever seen.I didnt get my camcorder on and set up quick enuf to catch all of the 1st two that ran.Then John came up by himself and just before the blue markers you could hear the engine rev and let off a few times.I'm not sure what caused the porpoise effect.It may have been a gust of wind that raised the front enuf to make him work the pedal to cause the porpoising.in a matter of seconds it was over.I turned to my wife and she was (unexplainable in words) terrified.The only driver she ever saw was John and he's gone.We had to leave and at 11:28 pm this day we still feel this empty hurt for him as if it just happened.My wife will never go see another drag boat race and I understand. |
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Rick Carlson
Old Timer
Posts:48
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| 07 Aug 2010 10:52 PM |
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Connie...thank you also. I just never use Facebook.
James...Your observations and questions from your vantage point are good ones.I'll answer a couple of them...1)each driver in a capsule drag boat has an independent air supply "plumbed" into to his helmet to allow him to breathe until the rescue team arrives. 2)There are two rescue teams, in their boats, at each end of the race course. Incidents can happen from the holding rope to the shutdown area and this
gives the best coverage of the entire course. 3)The folks manning these rescue boats are ALL a MINIMUM of experienced EMT/Paramedics , divers, with specialized training in the unique aspects of both capsuled and open drag boats.
I would think that one of the rescue team members will be here on the forum in the next day or so, and can supply more and better answers than I can...but I will say, that if I'm ever involved in an incident on the water or on land, I sure hope these guys and gals are there. They're damn good...and boat racers won't even put their boat in the water, without Team Rescue there to watch over them.
nownser
"I just sit in my airconditioned room and watch the races with no distractions...other than that darn mic."
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| "We never knew exactly what he did, until he quit doing it." |
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Stacey Smith
Pro Racer
Posts:28
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| 07 Aug 2010 11:02 PM |
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Nicely said Rick! |
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| Stacey Smith |
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Steve McPherson
Pro Racer
Posts:12
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| 08 Aug 2010 08:24 AM |
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Say it isn't so....
God speed John. |
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John Haas Jr
Fan
Posts:2
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| 08 Aug 2010 09:19 AM |
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If anyone has a video or pictures of my dad's crash, could you please email them to me. My email address is jennjohn2@hughes.net. I wasn't able to be there this weekend. I'd like to see his last run.
Thanks,
John Jr |
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Brenda Nagore
Old Timer
Posts:48
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| 08 Aug 2010 09:26 AM |
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James, From my experience (2 Times) the rescue boats saved my husbands life. They do know what they are doing. As far as the location of the rescue boats in boat racing they werewhere they should have been . You say that it took a long time for the rescue boat to get there, believe me it seems like forever before they got there. But it wasn't. For us, as the boat was STARTING to go over you can hear the rescue boats heading towards the boat. The rescue team are very well trained and doma great job.
Our prayers are there for John Haas and the Speed Sport family |
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| Brenda Nagore |
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Steve McPherson
Pro Racer
Posts:12
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Eddie Knox
Posts:1044
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| 08 Aug 2010 09:52 AM |
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John, Tulsa channel 8 news had the full clip of the run yesterday. They have since removed it but I'm sure you could contact them and get it.
I'm very, very sorry to hear about your dad, he was a bad-ass for sure and will be greatly missed.
Take care,
Eddie |
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www.eddieknoxracing.com
Problem Child TFH #712 |
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John Haas Jr
Fan
Posts:2
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| 08 Aug 2010 10:27 AM |
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Thanks Eddie. He loved every one of you racers. It's not going to be the same without him. |
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Ronnie Thomas
Fan
Posts:1
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| 08 Aug 2010 12:07 PM |
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Hello all.
First of I would like to say that I was not a fan of drag boat racing until yesterday,-but after what I witnessed at my first drag boat event, I can't even begin to sort out the raw emotions I am feeling.
We live in nearby Broken Arrow, Ok., and after a long week of trying to convince my wife to go on a family event with our 3 kids (8,11 and 13) she reluctantly agreed.
My daughter and I saw John earlier in the day as we were looking over the boat. We didn't talk, but he smiled at us. The smile from John to us and the "pretty" paint job on the boat was enough for Bailey to pick him as the one she wanted to win.
I promised the family that we would leave after the top fuel boats ran their race...afterall we saw the Spirit of Texas boat run earlier that morning and it was the most awesome thing any of us had ever witnessed. There was no way we wanted to miss the big boys.
Details as to what happened after this point are useless I feel, as I have no expertise in the sport whatsoever. I captured the event on my phone and have probably watched it 50 times. It was like I was living a nightmare right before my eyes. Seeing (what I think was) his wife being carted to the helicopter in horrified tears has left me in a state of shock for the past 22 hours.
How is the most awesome thing I've ever witnessed in my life, possibly be the most horrific thing I've ever seen? Anyway guys, sorry for rambling on. These are just my thoughts and felt that this would be the appropriate place to share them.
John Jr.-God bless you and your family. My video is not that good, but will try to get it to you if you like. |
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Jimmy Todd
Posts:220
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| 08 Aug 2010 12:15 PM |
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Rick "Nownser" Carlson. Please give me a call. I will send you a private message with my phone number.
Take care, your friend, Jimmy Todd |
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| I am the luckiest guy alive..Great kids, great job, great friends and a GREAT Wife...... |
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Gary James
aka "Gaz"
Gold Memeber
Posts:71
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| 08 Aug 2010 04:19 PM |
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On behalf of all members and racers of the Victorian Drag Boat Club in Melbourne Australia, our sincere condolences to the Haas family, Lou and the team of Speed Sports. John Haas, a Hall of Fame member, World Champion, great bloke! God speed John, your memories live on. |
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Marlane Powers
Posts:384
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| 08 Aug 2010 07:03 PM |
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So very sad to hear this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. RIP John.
Kurt and Marlane Powers
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Nancy Thornton
Rookie
Posts:7
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| 08 Aug 2010 07:10 PM |
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On behalf of Green Country Drag Boat, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Haas family and the Speed Sports Team. John was not only a great driver but a great person that the fans loved and the drivers respected. |
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Vince Nelson
Posts:1019
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| 08 Aug 2010 11:16 PM |
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This is truly a sad day for boat racing.. The Nelson's would like to send out thoughts and prayers to the Haas family.. |
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2005 IHBA Top Eliminator DIV 1 World Champ
Hellbound Train Racing |
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Bruce Pedretti
Posts:413
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| 09 Aug 2010 12:14 PM |
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My thoughts and prayers to the family of John Haas & the Speed Sport family. I have enjoyed watching the Speed Sport family work their magic in the pits and displaying it on the water.
God Speed John.
Brenda, Thank you for the kind words in the way Team Rescue handled both of Franks crashes. I'd like to think that the crew that was handling John's crash was as dilligent in their duties as Team Rescue. My best to the entire Blue Thunder Family.
James, I'm just a course worker and have been involved in drag boats for over 30 years. In my opinion, and yes I know what an opinion is and have the capability of filling that description from time to time, I have witnessed crashes that happen all over the place. Although they may be similar there are no two that are the same. Experience dictates where the rescue boats are staged so they can respond. Being on a wave runner as I am usually it's my job to stay away from the crash scene until rescue has the driver on board and on the way to the ambulance.
Since I don't know the layout of the Chouteau track I won't speculate the location of the ambulance. I wish I could offer up the words that would make it easier for your wife to understand why we are involved in this sport that at times seems to be so cruel at times. For me its the extended family and friends that we aquire in the good times and the not so good times. I'm sorry that the sport that many of us love has left her with such a bad taste. |
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TopWop/Bruce Pedretti
Chowchilla Chicken Chokers
Memory lane is only a 1/4 mile long |
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Vince Nelson
Posts:1019
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Coors MM
Gold Memeber
Posts:52
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| 09 Aug 2010 07:43 PM |
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RIP John!
My prayers for the Haas family and the Speed Spert crew. |
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| Whiskey River II T/F H 1999-2003/ 2010- |
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Jim Birmingham
Crew
Posts:7
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| 18 Aug 2010 09:57 PM |
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God speed John
I would like to address James Bouse post. Mr Bouse I am sorry that your wifes first drag boat race was one with a fataliy.
I do the course setup for the races.
First let me say this the positioning of the rescue boats would not have saved John's life. These divers are EMT's and know exactly what to do. John's injuries were such that even with a surgeon on board it is unlikey that he would have survived.
Video clips show just how fast there response time was.
The Blue markers that you refer to were the 1000 ft finish line for the TFH. A saftey measure that the sanctioning bodies SDBA and LODBRS, shorten to over the winter from the full 1320 ft 1/4 mile. |
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Jim Birmingham
Crew
Posts:7
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| 18 Aug 2010 10:10 PM |
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Before the advent of the saftey capsule most drivers of TFH that crashed died. We think that with the use of these saftey capsule that everything will be alright. Sometimes we forget how frail the human body really is. Capsule design is still undergoing changes to better protect the drivers. Look for new capsule rules at the end of this year.
If I am not mistaken Chris and Rescue 1 were past the finish line and on the inside lane when the crash happened. Many times I have watched their boats in motion at the least bobble by a racer. Butch taught them that. Get moving before the crash....I believe the response time to the crash was 1 min 40 sec. from the time of the crash till the capsule was on the deck of the rescue boat.
I am well satisfied of the Rescue teams respose to the crash. Did you notice the capsule canopy was not on the capsule when rescue pulled the capsule out of the water? This being torn away was not good.
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Steve MacNeil
Pro Racer
Posts:9
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| 21 Aug 2010 04:25 AM |
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So Sorry to hear this. John will be sorely missed. Our deepest sympathies to his family and fellow racers. and may I add, Thank you John! for all the Thrilling, edge of your seat racing, that you and your team have given the thousands of fans, world wide! for so many seasons! God Speed! |
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Wonder what it really feels like to be propelled down the liquid 1/4 mile in 5 seconds? |
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james bouse
Fan
Posts:4
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| 28 Aug 2010 11:44 AM |
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In response to the accident that took John Haas.There is no doubt in my mind that safety is the #1 priorty to protect the drivers.I say these things to help and not to blame or point fingers. But ! I have a few things that I think should have been done differently.Time is the key to saving someone especially while under water.(1st) - If 2 rescue boats are required then each boat by theirself should be able to get a capsule/driver out of the water with the crew aboard and not waste the time for the other boat to get their.In that case more crew on 1 boat would save time.(2nd)Someone on the rescue boats should know CPR.?A thought,why dont 1 of the ambulance/riders just be on the rescue boat at least required for certain boat speeds(especially Top Fuel)(3rd)There is NO REASON for the ambulance to be anywhere other than the finish/end area of the race or never not be right where they bring the injured person/driver to shore.Dont start any race with boat speeds over ?-140mph or whatever decided.(especially Top Fuel)till the ambulance is where it NEEDS TO BE.
These are a few things that maybe would'nt have helped with John but would be the difference between life and death.
Two Questions I have
1-I would like to know and I'm sure alot of other people would too.We heard he died from internal injuries but what.
2-Was there any water in his lungs.
I am only trying to be helpful.
The rush of watching these boats gets me going WAY MORE than (when I used to) 100 + mph on the rear tire of my GSXR 1100 or 164 mph down the highway in my vette at 2am in the morning.Which by the way I dont have either of them 2 toys now and probably why I'm still here.
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Jim Birmingham
Crew
Posts:7
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| 29 Aug 2010 04:16 PM |
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James I had heard that he had a torn aorta. At that point I really didn't want to know more.
I know you were at the races but unless you were in a vehicle with a vehicle pass you would have not known how difficult it was to get from the outramp to the road going out just past the TFH pits.... Also the shut down area to the out ramp is about 3000 feet. The distance from where the wreck occured to the in ramp was less than 1500 ft. Placement of the ambulance is made by rescue personel at each race with all factors considered.
James the Chouteau race was the last one for SDBA. In about 2 weeks SLDBA is having a race in New Athens, IL. If you have a chance please come to that race and check out the equipment and procedures there. You will find they are very similar. I think that you would fine the answers to the way things are done. I suggest this race because it is close to you. The next Lucas Oil race is in November and in PHX. AZ. (World Finals). |
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