Driver, Navigator Die in Nevada Road Race After Tire Blows (Silver State Classic)
09-20-2011, 08:55 AM
#1
Driver, Navigator Die in Nevada Road Race After Tire Blows (Silver State Classic)
ELY, Nev. – Two men are dead after a tire blew on their Chevy Camaro during the Silver State Classic Challenge, a high-speed race in rural Nevada.
Nye County Sheriff's officials say 53-year-old driver Richard DeKneef of California and his 41-year-old navigator, Merle Hill of Ely, Nev., were killed in the fiery crash Sunday at the 24th annual event.
Authorities say the 1994 Camaro was traveling at about 200 mph when the tire blew. The vehicle rolled several times and caught fire. Both men died at the scene.
The deaths were first reported by the Ely Times.
The Silver State Classic Challenge was the first legal open-road rally in the U.S. in a half-century when it debuted in September 1988. The Times reports there have been no deaths at the race since 1992.
The closed course covers 90 miles of State Route 318 in White Pine, Nye, and Lincoln Counties.
Nye County Sheriff's officials say 53-year-old driver Richard DeKneef of California and his 41-year-old navigator, Merle Hill of Ely, Nev., were killed in the fiery crash Sunday at the 24th annual event.
Authorities say the 1994 Camaro was traveling at about 200 mph when the tire blew. The vehicle rolled several times and caught fire. Both men died at the scene.
The deaths were first reported by the Ely Times.
The Silver State Classic Challenge was the first legal open-road rally in the U.S. in a half-century when it debuted in September 1988. The Times reports there have been no deaths at the race since 1992.
The closed course covers 90 miles of State Route 318 in White Pine, Nye, and Lincoln Counties.
09-22-2011, 02:30 AM
#3
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I just hope they keep it and don't get rid of it because of this. It's been quite awhile since the last deaths (there's probably more deaths in little league). I want to do this next year.
09-22-2011, 05:52 AM
#5
Some sports are dangerous. I guess that it is fair to say that, while we may be sorry for them, it's something we should accept without too much mourning or noise.
On the bright side, motorsport casualties making the news like this makes me think of what very high safety standards we follow nowadays. 15\20 years ago it was still the "norm" to risk your life during many events.
On the bright side, motorsport casualties making the news like this makes me think of what very high safety standards we follow nowadays. 15\20 years ago it was still the "norm" to risk your life during many events.
09-22-2011, 06:10 AM
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Very true. anything motorsports related is obviously somewhat dangerous (hell, plane crash in reno just recently). But you're right, the safety standards now are crazy. In a good way, that is. And, honestly, if you look at the event as it is, the number of cars that have run in the past 20 years versus the deaths...well, you can see where i'm going.
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