Bad News For IRL - Paul Dana Lost at Homestead FL.

[alaskaracer]

Re: Bad News For IRL - Paul Dana Lost at Homestead FL.

I agree with what Robin Miller wrote, but I think he could have waited a week or so to say it....

[ignomini]

Re: Bad News For IRL - Paul Dana Lost at Homestead FL.

Buying rides in racing is as old as racing. Back in the day, factories would supply name drivers and wealthy sportsmen equally. Look at Formula 1 today, there are rides which are given and there are rides which are bought. The only question to my mind is whether the sanctioning bodies have become too easy with qualifications.

And I agree with the premise the article is correct, but a little too soon after events.

[MRussell]

Re: Bad News For IRL - Paul Dana Lost at Homestead FL.

I agree with what Robin Miller wrote, but I think he could have waited a week or so to say it....

Exactly! To clarify- I agree with him too, but he could have waited a week and it wouldn't have diluted his message significantly.

[matt]

Re: Bad News For IRL - Paul Dana Lost at Homestead FL.

why? so you could spare someones feelings? spared feelings never saved anyone's life. too, if you engrain in peoples minds soon afterward that what this person did was wrong they're more likely to remember it later and not make the same mistake. yes it hurts, but it's gonna hurt more if noone learns from this and more people end up hurt or killed.

[MRussell]

Re: Bad News For IRL - Paul Dana Lost at Homestead FL.

why? so you could spare someones feelings?

In addition to being an issue of basic respect, I think it's a matter of common sense, especially when the author did not have access to the vehicle telemetry, spotter tapes, and other evidence that normally is part of a crash investigation.
His column would have the same meaning whether it was written yesterday or next Monday, but it would seem less reactionary (and therefore more credible) if he had waited a little bit.

[King]

Re: Bad News For IRL - Paul Dana Lost at Homestead FL.

the author did not have access to the vehicle telemetry, spotter tapes, and other evidence that normally is part of a crash investigation.

Exactly Mr. Russel!

The following information is only to make a point about spouting off too soon on a accident that "seems" to have happened because of driver error..............................this author has no additional information to make the following statement as fact.............

It could have very well been a stuck throttle. 7 seconds is not much time to see, recognize and act on a stuck throttle and shut down the engine before impact.

[Fence Sence]

Re: Bad News For IRL - Paul Dana Lost at Homestead FL.

Wow! there really is a lot to touch on here. First off, I agree 100% with the article. However, out of respect for the family and friends, at least wait till he's in the ground to publish something that is that strong. After that I say he's fair game and it had damn well be discussed. Moving on, since this whole thing has been opened up now, stuck throttle was my first gut reaction. Second possibility to me would be radio problems where he couldn't hear his spotter and was fiddling with wires and didn't look up in time? That one's pretty thin. Third option is he had a complete mental break down and just froze in terror and stood on the gas. Right. Jealous lover? I doubt it was 100% because he wasn't good enough. There has to be something else to it. That being said, I still think that the licencing needs to be looked at. 200 mph cars are a HUGE responsibility. This is the reason Scott Speed frightens me. Red Bull said they would put an American in an F1 car and they did. There is too much risk there to just put someone in there just because. That to me is wrong. I guess money still talks and......

[T. Adams]

Re: Bad News For IRL - Paul Dana Lost at Homestead FL.

Scott Speed was the 3rd driver for Red Bull last year. He has been racing for 13yrs. He was an F1 test driver last year. He is not in over his head. That being said, he has no chance in hell of winning a race unless, the eight cars from the four elite teams all break.

[MRussell]

Re: Bad News For IRL - Paul Dana Lost at Homestead FL.

If Scott Speed controls his mouth and doesn't embarrass us, I'll be happy. At least he's out-qualifying his teammate to-date.