On a sad note--A formula Mazda racer died in a bad accident this weekend @MSR. He died of internal injuries--A Hans device would not have helped. say a prayer.

 

On Saturday, March 4, 2006 shortly after noon, during the NASA Formula
Mazda race at MotorSport Ranch, a racing accident claimed the life of
Greg Bruder when his car collided with another Formula Mazda which had
spun in turn #2 (Ricochet).

Greg got into driving/racing and became a member of the Ranch about a
year ago. Although I hadn't the pleasure of meeting Greg myself, his
friends and fellow drivers describe him as one of the finest individuals
and aspiring drivers who would beam at the mere mention of racing his
car.

Sharon and I and the entire staff at MSR are deeply saddened by this
racing accident and the resulting loss of a fellow driver and member of
the club.
Please join us in keeping Greg's wife, daughters, and other family
members in your thoughts and prayers.

A memorial fund is being established at this time. More information
regarding this will follow.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 7, 2006 from 2:00 till 4:00 and 6:00
till 8:00

The funeral is to be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006

Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home
5725 Colleyville Blvd
Collyeville, TX 76034
(817) 281-8751



Best regards,

Jack and Sharon Farr
www.motorsportranch.com

 

 

A friend of mine was out there that weekend and he said it was a very disorganized track day (Saturday) and this guy dying was just a horrible, unfortunate acccident.

My thoughts are prayers are with Greg's family!

 

A prayer for him and his family.

 

[QUOTE=QUIKAG,Mar 6 2006, 08:20 AM]A friend of mine was out there that weekend and he said it was a very disorganized track day (Saturday) and this guy dying was just a horrible, unfortunate acccident.

 

Here is my friend's e-mail to me and the relevant portions of the disorganization:

[QUOTE]As to MSR, odd weekend to say the least.

 

I completely agree with your friend on the incredibly unorganized nature of the NASA event at MSR last weekend. I am guessing your friend drives a DSOM C6. I am the guy in the white C6 he referred to. The instructor in the car with the guy that was holding everybody up had no idea we were all behind him and the flag stands never even looked, It was absolutely ridiculous. The classroom sessions were like a high school drivers ed course and completely useless to anyone with even a bit of experience. The first session was a complete waste of time as I have gone faster and been more challenged on public roads with our s2000 club drives. So I basically paid $140 for 2 sessions that were supposed to be 15 minutes but, were actually only about 10 minutes. What a ripoff. The only positive points on the weekend were this was the first time I've had my car on track with the new wheels and tires and it was amazing. There is soooo much grip and the C6 is now very well balanced once the tires are warm. That being said, this was the worst HPDE I've ever been to and unless NASA is going to give me a prorated refund for cutting our track time and sessions short it will be my last NASA event. The other disappointing part was that I took my Dad with me for this event. He ran in his C5. He was so turned off by everthing that he will probably not do another HPDE ever again, if he does decide to try it again it will certainly not be with NASA. All of this makes you realize how good our S2000 autocrosses are and that TDE is probably the only group I will HPDE with in the future. Of course none of this REALLY matters considering what happened with the death of a racer there. My prayers are with the family of that driver.

 

Disorganized is not typical for a NASA event. I have gone to a couple and have been very satisfied with the track time, instruction and care they have taken.

They have been a little loosey goosey with the rules, but in a positive manner. Some event have been dictatorial and if you haven't run X number of times with them or haven't had X years experience you were relagated to novice whereas NASA has always used common sense. While they may start you in a lower class they are quick to bump you to your level of demonstrated experience. The key is you have to demonstrate some experience.

 

I was also there this weekend. I don't believe that this unfortunate event had anything to do with the way the weekend was run. NASA is MORE RACE ORIENTED THAN D.E. ORIENTED. It has a fast moving schedule that forces you to anticipate and be prepared for your run group--be it a race or a DE run group. The accident did throw the schedule way off--understandably so. For 1st time DE drivers Nasa is probably not the best choice--you should choose PCA or the Drivers Edge. And yes the American Iron/ Mustang-Camaro challenge race group is a little on the crazy side,but oh so exciting to watch both from the bleachers and from a car on the track with them. Gerry