290 replies to this topic

[Lateralus42]

Apparently he went airborne after hitting some debris (according to another website). My condolences to his family.

[Scudetto]

When did this happen? Can you provide a link to the story? Condolences to his family.

The same type thing caused Mario's flight back in May, didn't it?

[Rob G]

That's just awful.

[aportinga]

Reports are just coming out...

[Estwald]

This has been a terrible year for accidents

[aportinga]

And I wonder if TG will be as cavalier in his response as he was earlier on

[Mosquito]

Dang, that's bad.

No offense, as I know it's a sensative issue, but isn't it time safety is really addressed at the IRL?

[Ross Stonefeld]

Unless something specifically failed, id say no. They're doing almost 240mph at the end of the front and back straights at Indy, if you crash at those speeds you're going to have some problems. There's a point where you're simply going too fast, no matter what you're in

Reports are now that it may have only been a serious accident. There's been no reports one way or the other but for fans posting on BB's

[DREW]

Yeah, but wouldn't slowing them down be addressing safety?

Devils advocate,

DREW

[FredrikB]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
Unless something specifically failed, id say no. They're doing almost 240mph at the end of the front and back straights at Indy, if you crash at those speeds you're going to have some problems. There's a point where you're simply going too fast, no matter what you're in

So it's time to do something about the speeds. Because its unsafe.

We Swedes almost lost our best race driver for 25 years recently.

F.

[917k]

Originally posted by aportinga
And I wonder if TG will be as cavalier in his response as he was earlier on

Using the awful circumstances to further an agenda=

[Ross Stonefeld]

Speed isnt the issue. Speed contributed to the resultant accident, but in two cases it was hitting debris allowing air to get under the car, in the Brack incident it was contact with another car. 200mph vs 230mph probably wouldnt have made a hell of a lot of difference. How fast were the Mecs going when they flipped at Le Mans?

[rmhorton]

Before we go too far on this does anyone have a link or source?

[TheSaltire]

What's your source on this? I have only seen reports of a serious crash....

[FredrikB]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
Speed isnt the issue. Speed contributed to the resultant accident, but in two cases it was hitting debris allowing air to get under the car, in the Brack incident it was contact with another car. 200mph vs 230mph probably wouldnt have made a hell of a lot of difference. How fast were the Mecs going when they flipped at Le Mans?

Youre probably right...
Maybe it's time for some chicanes at the ovals?
Or 200 meter runoffs?






;)

[Ross Stonefeld]

Originally posted by rmhorton
Before we go too far on this does anyone have a link or source?

http://espn.go.com/r...22/1644023.html

Thats the only official news item so far

[TheSaltire]

Tony Renna killed during Indy tire test
http://www.autoweek....t_code=09396389

Tony Renna Injured in Speedway Crash
Driver Tony Renna has been involved in a crash at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during testing.

Renna drives for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. The crash occurred between turns three and four. There is damage to the fencing area and wall.

News 8 is sending a crew to the scene and will have a live report at noon. An update will be added to this story as details are made available.

[Jason]

Awful news. RIP, Tony.

[Blind Driver]

Speeds are not the problem. Rapidly slowing down using something very hard is.

Ovals surrounded by concrete walls with no run-off are inherently dangerous racing locations. Whether your going 140 or 240, hitting the wall is still bad news.

I think that using some technological means (restrictor plates, wing angles) to limit outright speed is too much of a band-aid approach. Truly addressing safety means more than just putting the brakes on.

[TheSaltire]

Serious accident at Speedway

Speedway, Oct. 22 - Indy Racing League driver Tony Renna has crashed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and his condition is still unknown, however it was a serious crash.

It happened Wednesday morning during private tire testing.

Apparently the car went airborne in the short shoot between turns three and four, hitting the railing.

The 26-year-old Renna had recently been introduced as a new member of the Chip Ganassi Racing Team, headquartered in Indianapolis.

During the 2003 Indianapolis 500 Renna qualified in the eighth position and finished seventh.

He turns 27 in one month.

[TheSaltire]

Renna Accident at Indy
Oct 22, 2003 05:29 pm - Posted by Tom Beeler, RIS IRL Series Editor

TONY RENNA KILLED AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003 – Reports were confirmed this morning that IndyCar veteran Tony Renna suffered a fatal accident during testing at the Speedway. The Speedway itself would only confirm that Renna had been involved in an accident.


Two different sources reported that Renna was taken to Methodist Hospital after the crash. No additional details are available at this time.

Firestone has been engaged in tire testing at Indy since yesterday. Team Penske and Target Chip Ganassi Racing are both involved in the Firestone tests.

Renna, who had just been hired by Target Chip Ganassi Racing to team with 2003 IndyCar champ Scott Dixon, had only one IndyCar start this season, starting 8th and finishing 7th in this year's Indy 500.

Prior to this season, the 26-year old Floridian had six IndyCar starts with Kelley Racing.

He began racing in quarter midgets and karts. Before moving to the Skip Barber Formula Ford series, he had earned more than 250 victories. He won the Barber championship and moved to Europe, competing in British Formula 3.

Following his tour overseas, Renna ran Barber Dodge Pro Series events and then the old Dayton Indy Lights Series.

He started with Kelley Racing as coach for actor Jason Priestley and test driver for the team, which also includes Scott Sharp.

RIS/Indy-Tom Beeler with RIS/CA-Mike Hollander

[AdrianM]

Terrible news

[aportinga]

Originally posted by 917k


Using the awful circumstances to further an agenda=

I am not going to be baited into this discussion with you sir.

From what I understand his car went airborne between 3 and 4 into the fence hit his head on a post. Dead when the medical team got to him. He was due to get married in 2weeks.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Still too vague. Was he taken to hospital, was he taken to hospital and was DOA? Seems everyone is way too quick to reprint the same story with the text blocks moved around.

[ensign14]

It is however far too soon to apportion blame. Motor racing is dangerous. Just think about the poor sod on the threshold of a season with the champion team...

[Derbris]

Local Indianapolis news just stated death.

[fifi]

RIP

[BuonoBruttoCattivo]

Unbelievable...

[TheSaltire]

WIBC - Indianapolis

Report: IRL Driver Tony Renna Killed in Indianapolis Motor Speedway Testing Session
In a crash this morning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL driver Tony Renna, 26, was killed after the car he was testing for Chip Gannasi hit the wall and flipped into the fence. He was transported to Methodist Hospital, and two sources confirmed with WIBC Sports Director Vince Welch that Renna died. The Florida-born driver, who had been living in Las Vegas, had recently signed with the team. He had six IRL starts in 2003 with Kelley Racing. He was testing teammate Scott Dixon's car when the accident occurred. In this year's Indianapolis 500, Renna finished 7th.

[Chris G.]

Awful! Rest in peace.

"Numerous sources tell News 8 that Renna did not survive the crash, but the IRL would not confirm those reports. "

perhaps they are waiting until they can notify family???

[Engineguy]

The local TV helicopters are showing significant damage to the front edge of the wheelchair seating (parking?) platform and its front railing, severe enough that it appears the car and/or engine and/or transaxle went through (not over) the catch fencing and cabling. Thankfully unoccupied during a practice session. I may have missed something jumping back and forth between channels, but as of 12:25, channel 13 just did another update only saying he's been taken to Methodist Hospital.

[aportinga]

Originally posted by Engineguy
The local TV helicopters are showing significant damage to the front edge of the wheelchair seating (parking?) platform and its front railing, severe enough that it appears the car and/or engine and/or transaxle went through (not over) the catch fencing and cabling. Thankfully unoccupied during a practice session. I may have missed something jumping back and forth between channels, but as of 12:25, channel 13 just did another update only saying he's been taken to Methodist Hospital.

Wow!

[ehagar]

Originally posted by Blind Driver
Speeds are not the problem. Rapidly slowing down using something very hard is.

Ovals surrounded by concrete walls with no run-off are inherently dangerous racing locations. Whether your going 140 or 240, hitting the wall is still bad news.

I think that using some technological means (restrictor plates, wing angles) to limit outright speed is too much of a band-aid approach. Truly addressing safety means more than just putting the brakes on.

It really depends on what angle you hit a wall at. Hit a wall at 200 mph head on and your dead, period. Hit it at a 10 or 20 degree angle with respect to the wall and the crash is the equalent of a 35-70 mph crash.

In oval racing there is a greater chance you will hit a wall. Can't stop that.

RIP Tony

[vapaokie]

Awful news.

[TheSaltire]

I found a web cam at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that appears to show where the accident happened....

IMS Web Cam

[fullcourseyellow]

That's a terrible story

Makes you wonder how lucky Mario and Kenny Brack are.

[John B]

Sad news to hear it confirmed -- the sites I browsed still haven't updated, including the official IRL page. I missed the announcement that he was joining Ganassi's team for next year.

As has been mentioned in the other thread in the aftermath of Brack's crash, there is a serious issue with debris and the threat to spectators.

[Deeq]

Awful news

[RightuR]

So sad. Memories of past accidents and crashes are coming up.

Is there no way to prevent such tragic events?

[aportinga]

Originally posted by fullcourseyellow
That's a terrible story

Makes you wonder how lucky Mario and Kenny Brack are.

Indeed - Mario's accident was a doosy!!!

[Rene]

R.I.P.

Prayers to the family

[random]

Originally posted by RightuR
So sad. Memories of past accidents and crashes are coming up.

Is there no way to prevent such tragic events?

No, there really isn't any way to prevent them. The accidents will continue. But as we've seen, the harmful results of those shunts has and will continue to be lessened every year. Even so, I can't see a time when the consequences of huge accidents will ever be entirely abated or when the sport will be regarded as safe.

Death and serious injury are a part of Auto racing. The sport is inherently dangerous and things like this are going to continue. Some would argue, me among them, that auto racing wouldn't be the same if all the danger were removed.

All that aside, I'm very sorry to see Tony go.

RIP Tony.

[John B]

Complete swing of emotions for the Ganassi team, going from the high of the close point title win to tragedy barely a week later.


A little more detail on ESPN....




INDIANAPOLIS -- Race driver Tony Renna, taking his first laps with his new team at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during a tire test, was fatally injured Wednesday morning, a Target Chip Ganassi Racing spokesman confirmed.

Renna, who would have turned 27 years old next month, was going into Turn 3 when his car jumped sideways and became airborne. According to witnesses, the car cleared the four-foot concrete wall and smashed into the catch fence -- breaking in half in the cockpit area.

The Indy Racing League medical team reacted instantly and tried to revive Renna but could never establish a heartbeat.

In becoming the 40th driver to lose his life at Indianapolis, the native of Deland, Fla., was the first Indy-car racer to die since Greg Moore perished in a CART race at Fontana, Calif., in 1999.

[Rediscoveryx]

I don't understand how something like that could happen? It just sounds... insane. He must have hit some debris or else something was seriously wrong...

[random]

Originally posted by John B
A little more detail on ESPN....

According to witnesses, the car cleared the four-foot concrete wall and smashed into the catch fence -- breaking in half in the cockpit area.

Sounds eerily similar to the Brack incident. Except in this case, the tub didn't hold up.

A bit more news from AR1

From overhead video it appears there were skid marks up until 30 feet from the turn 3 wall, where they stopped indicating the car was then airborne. It is likely he hit the wall while flying in midair and then flipped violently into the fence above the wall. The fence above the wall was severely damaged as was the front railing of the grandstands in turn 3. Luckily no one was sitting there today. Crews are out there repairing the fence and railing now.

[SpeakerGuru]

Originally posted by RightuR
So sad. Memories of past accidents and crashes are coming up.

Agreed, very sad news.

Originally posted by RightuR

Is there no way to prevent such tragic events?

No. Racing is inherently dangerous.

[Ross Stonefeld]

The velocity would be different though. Entering 3 he'd be aiming straight at the wall, even if he hit the wall with the car rotated sideways, he'd still have his momentum straight into the wall. Whereas in Brack's case the velocity was still down the track even though his car was pointed at the wall

[vapaokie]

How did he get through the fence, as it seems it is being reported (front railing of the grandstands)? Indy's fence is about as good as any I have seen, and I've been to quite a few tracks. I am not meaning to sound cold here, but the drivers understand the risk of death they are taking by getting into the car; spectators don't expect it to happen to them. We can not have LeMans happen again (had this happened during the 500).

[John B]

Vapaokie, I agree, and while there hasn't been a Lemans level disaster in the past 16 years there have been 3 instances of spectators killed at superspeedways starting with the 1987 Indy 500, and enough close calls recently that this deserves a lot of attention IMO.

The other thing I was wondering was, if debris was involved, where it came from?

[HSJ]

Originally posted by Engineguy
The local TV helicopters are showing significant damage to the front edge of the wheelchair seating (parking?) platform and its front railing, severe enough that it appears the car and/or engine and/or transaxle went through (not over) the catch fencing and cabling. Thankfully unoccupied during a practice session. I may have missed something jumping back and forth between channels, but as of 12:25, channel 13 just did another update only saying he's been taken to Methodist Hospital.

R.I.P.