Richard “RJ” Valentine: “Ultimately, it’s up to drivers to decide enough is enough.”
The following is a passionate article submitted by RJ Valentine. He’s a Rolex 24 at Daytona winner who’s since created a safer retaining wall for race tracks across the country. Impact Safety Systems was founded in 2000.
Richard “RJ” Valentine
In mid-2016, I wrote an article explaining why I’m so driven to make race tracks safer. For eleven paragraphs, I stood on my soapbox expounding the many reasons antiquated track barricades represent an unnecessary and extreme danger to drivers. I vainly hoped this, along with our many other efforts to further the cause, would help inspire changes.
Yet, here I am, over a year later and, not only has progress been minimal, but at least 16 more drivers have died as a result of concrete walls, Armco guardrails and other antiquated barrier methods. No one officially keeps track of how many people die on track, especially at small independents, which make up the majority of America’s 1300 race venues, so the death toll is realistically much higher.
Sadly, over the last 18 months, innumerable concussions, injuries and permanent disabilities were also sustained, most caused by hard impact with a retaining wall or guardrail, which could have easily been prevented if anyone cared enough to do something about it.
What exactly did Earnhardt hit during his last lap at Daytona that ultimately killed him? A cement retaining wall. The list of concrete-related fatalities dates back 60-80 years, as does Armco guardrail’s. 30 odd years ago, used tire packs became the standard barrier or buffer but, other than NASCAR’s SAFER Barriers, which aren’t feasible for most tracks, little else has changed. For the better part of a century, these walls have existed at racetracks worldwide. Shockingly, even brand new state-of-the-art motorsports facilities are installing stone age barrier systems because it’s the status quo.
Racing organizations generally leave safety to track owners. But, independents are the most cost-sensitive to safety upgrades and tend to rely on insurance. Track designers certainly don’t want to be the disruptive influence. Thus, everyone takes the easy route and uses concrete walls or Armco in prominent areas around tracks. And, since most track owners, insurance agents and designers have never even been behind the wheel of a race car, let alone barreling high speed towards a looming wall, they’re unaffected by the risks.
Drivers are the only necks literally on the line. So why do they continue to accept the status quo? Are racers afraid of creating controversy? Maybe they live in denial and assume a career/life ending incident will never happen to them. Perhaps admitting one’s darkest fears or revealing a history of concussions are viewed as signs of weakness. Or the worst reason of all—It’s simply another example of motorsport’s “it is what it is” mentality.
Racers are a special breed. The thrill of competition and victory far outweighs the agony of defeat or the specter of death. As a pro racer myself, I completely understand the addiction. But I’ve also seen too many friends killed by unforgiving walls. I feel I have a moral responsibility to help prevent the worst from happening. Since the mid-1960s when Sir Jackie Stewart rallied racers to demand improvements, no one else has taken a stand for track safety. Instead, the motorsports industry chooses to ignore the issue in the name of tradition.
Ultimately, it’s up to drivers to decide enough is enough. However, if they remain rigid, so will barrier walls. Racers must insist bare concrete and Armco be buffered before vehicles ever get to that final resting place. And FYI, tires were designed specifically for cars on roads, not to function as safety barricades for driver protection. There are better ways to slow deceleration and reduce shock before terminal impact occurs. The barrier system I developed is lightyears ahead of the status quo, yet it’s been a long road to acceptance much like Downing’s HANS Device. But I don’t take it personally. Industry resistance applies to all changes, even those for the better.
The only way to alter the complacent motorsports mindset is for drivers to start a movement. And the sooner the better, because every year that goes by means more racers maimed and killed by walls that remain stuck in the past. If nobody else will fix the problem, then it’s up to the ones whose lives are at stake—Drivers. Believe it or not, you have the power to prevent injuries, disabilities and death in racing.
Maybe now that I’ve ranted for 15 paragraphs someone will listen. If not, next year I’ll write 20.
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About Richard “RJ” Valentine
Richard J. Valentine combined his passion for business and auto racing to achieve remarkable success in both fields. As a driver, he’s been a major player in competitive racing for four decades with over 400 pro starts, culminating with a win at the prestigious Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. Valentine continues to be a force on the track and, when he realized there was a dire need for a better barricade system, he took it upon himself to invent one.
In 2000, Valentine founded Impact Safety Systems (ISS) Barriers for the express purpose of setting new standards in driver protection. A native of Boston, Valentine now lives in Hingham, Massachusetts.
— RJ —
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