Driver died at Nelson Ledges
07-07-2010, 10:58 AM
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Driver died at Nelson Ledges
NELSON — A West Virginia man died Tuesday after crashing a racecar Monday at the Nelson Ledges Road Course on S.R. 305.
Portage County Sheriff David Doak said deputies responded to a reported crash Monday to the raceway, 10342 S.R. 305.
Doak said two cars were fighting for position, and passed a slower car when they made contact with each other. Driver John Metzger, 55, of Cross Lanes, W.Va., lost control of his Van Dieman RF98 racecar and crashed into a tire-protected guard rail.
Metzger was flown by medical helicopter to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngstown where he died early Tuesday, Doak said.
According to SpeedTV.com, the race was a Sports Car Club of America-sanctioned event. Metzger had been an SCCA member for 14 years, according to a statement posted on the SCCA.com website.
“We are deeply saddened to lose John Metzger, a part of our Club Racing community and our SCCA family,” SCCA President and CEO Jeff Dahnert in the posted statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Metzger family and John’s friends at this difficult time.”
According to the SCCA, Metzger is survived by his wife D.J. and son Craig. The crash is under investigation by the Portage County Sheriff’s Office and the Mahoning County Coroner’s Office, Doak said.
Portage County Sheriff David Doak said deputies responded to a reported crash Monday to the raceway, 10342 S.R. 305.
Doak said two cars were fighting for position, and passed a slower car when they made contact with each other. Driver John Metzger, 55, of Cross Lanes, W.Va., lost control of his Van Dieman RF98 racecar and crashed into a tire-protected guard rail.
Metzger was flown by medical helicopter to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngstown where he died early Tuesday, Doak said.
According to SpeedTV.com, the race was a Sports Car Club of America-sanctioned event. Metzger had been an SCCA member for 14 years, according to a statement posted on the SCCA.com website.
“We are deeply saddened to lose John Metzger, a part of our Club Racing community and our SCCA family,” SCCA President and CEO Jeff Dahnert in the posted statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Metzger family and John’s friends at this difficult time.”
According to the SCCA, Metzger is survived by his wife D.J. and son Craig. The crash is under investigation by the Portage County Sheriff’s Office and the Mahoning County Coroner’s Office, Doak said.
07-07-2010, 11:42 AM
#2
Melting Slicks
That's really unfortunate. Thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends. I've seen some scary FF crashes (and been in one), and everyone walked away. Puts a lot into perspective when someone isn't fortunate enough to go home to their family post race. It's never just fun and games like people may think when we tell them we race/HPDE; it can also be our well being.
07-07-2010, 12:34 PM
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Le Mans Master
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2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
This is really sad, I dont like reading these posts.God Bless the family.
Last edited by Kubs; 07-07-2010 at 06:05 PM.
07-07-2010, 12:46 PM
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07-07-2010, 03:25 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
God Bless.
Those little sports racers and formula cars scare the heck out of me. There is just so little crash protection and you are inches off the ground. Another good reason I will stay with sedans.
Those little sports racers and formula cars scare the heck out of me. There is just so little crash protection and you are inches off the ground. Another good reason I will stay with sedans.
07-07-2010, 04:34 PM
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St. Jude Donor '03
It sounds like this was a neck injury thing when the driver wasn't wearing a HANS device.
07-07-2010, 05:38 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
07-07-2010, 06:09 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
I read some other posts on a Sports Racer forum that extolled the virtues of a HANS device in the thread posts made before the announcement of his passing.
I read some posts that seemed to suggest he was not wearing a HANS. I inferred further that he had a high speed frontal impact with the tire barrier and wall without the benefit of a HANS. So I came to the same presumption, but all of what I type here is just that, inference and presumption... not fact.
07-07-2010, 06:12 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
I read some other posts on a Sports Racer forum that extolled the virtues of a HANS device in the thread posts made before the announcement of his passing.
I read some posts that seemed to suggest he was not wearing a HANS. I inferred further that he had a high speed frontal impact with the tire barrier and wall without the benefit of a HANS. So I came to the same presumption, but all of what I type here is just that, inference and presumption... not fact.
I read some posts that seemed to suggest he was not wearing a HANS. I inferred further that he had a high speed frontal impact with the tire barrier and wall without the benefit of a HANS. So I came to the same presumption, but all of what I type here is just that, inference and presumption... not fact.
Thanks,
Was he in an actual race w/o an HANS? Leg/Arm restraints?
Either way, very sad to hear.
07-07-2010, 06:56 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
I read some other posts on a Sports Racer forum that extolled the virtues of a HANS device in the thread posts made before the announcement of his passing.
I read some posts that seemed to suggest he was not wearing a HANS. I inferred further that he had a high speed frontal impact with the tire barrier and wall without the benefit of a HANS. So I came to the same presumption, but all of what I type here is just that, inference and presumption... not fact.
I read some posts that seemed to suggest he was not wearing a HANS. I inferred further that he had a high speed frontal impact with the tire barrier and wall without the benefit of a HANS. So I came to the same presumption, but all of what I type here is just that, inference and presumption... not fact.
BTW, sorry to hear of your mishap at R/A.
07-07-2010, 06:59 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
http://dsrforum.yuku.com/topic/7608/...er.html?page=1
07-07-2010, 07:37 PM
#17
Safety Car
Here are some posts with more specific information about John. These posts say he just had the padded karting neck fatigue aid.
http://dsrforum.yuku.com/topic/7608/...er.html?page=1
http://dsrforum.yuku.com/topic/7608/...er.html?page=1
God Bless.
07-07-2010, 10:21 PM
#19
Melting Slicks
Sounds like he was in a race w/out a Hans. In my open cockpit experience at least 1 person (typically 2) check for arm/leg restraints prior to going on track so I don't find that likely.
07-07-2010, 10:36 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
The use of a head and neck
support system is highly recommended. As of 1/1/12, head and
neck restraints meeting SFI 38.1 or FIA 8858 will be required.
support system is highly recommended. As of 1/1/12, head and
neck restraints meeting SFI 38.1 or FIA 8858 will be required.
Wow, didn't know this:
The back of each driver’s helmet shall be labeled with a
minimum of the driver’s name.
minimum of the driver’s name.