Silver State Classic, 200mph Wreck

[mrsleeve]

http://espn.go.com/racing/story/_/id/6994069/two-dead-tire-blows-nevada-road-race

ELY, Nev. -- Two men are dead after a tire blew on their Chevy Camaro during the Silver State Classic Challenge, a high-speed race in rural Nevada.

Nye County Sheriff's officials say 53-year-old driver Richard DeKneef of California and his 41-year-old navigator, Merle Hill of Ely, Nev., were killed in the fiery crash Sunday at the 24th annual event.

Authorities say the 1994 Camaro was traveling at about 200 mph when the tire blew. The vehicle rolled several times and caught fire. Both men died at the scene.

The deaths were first reported by the Ely Times.

The Silver State Classic Challenge was the first legal open-road rally in the U.S. in a half-century when it debuted in September 1988. The Times reports there have been no deaths at the race since 1992.

The closed course covers 90 miles of State Route 318 in White Pine, Nye, and Lincoln Counties.

Been a bad week for motorsport in general and really bad for Nevada


Sad deal again.

[Nick_S]

I can't imagine what 200mph feels like. Especially in a 94 Camaro. That had to be a horrifying moment feeling a tire blow at that speed.

[MaksV]

I can't imagine what 200mph feels like. Especially in a 94 Camaro. That had to be a horrifying moment

qft

[mikeedler]

atleast they died in a cool way! sad thing though.

[Vince30]

Its sad but it is a part of motorsport. I just hope it doesn't affect future races.

[kamotors]

NV has been pretty unlucky lately, there was the crash at the air races last week that killed 10 and injured 50+ more.

[mrsleeve]

I can't imagine what 200mph feels like. Especially in a 94 Camaro. That had to be a horrifying moment feeling a tire blow at that speed.

yeah I am willing to bet there is not much stock Camaro left other than body work, as it was an unlimited car

another linky with pictar

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/20/camaro-driver-and-navigator-die-in-silver-state-classic-crash/

[JasonC]

I can't imagine what 200mph feels like. Especially in a 94 Camaro. That had to be a horrifying moment feeling a tire blow at that speed.

I know at around 145+ the car feels like it is sucked to the ground... But a truly sad moment that 2 people died. RIP dudes.

[Nick_S]

yeah I am willing to bet there is not much stock Camaro left other than body work, as it was an unlimited car

another linky with pictar

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/20/c...classic-crash/

Yea that doesn't look particularly stock, ha. I said that cause a friend growing up had a 94 Z28 and it felt a bit floaty at 125+.

[bmwguy325is]

I am just curious as to what tire they were running. If they had on some tire not capable of handling the speed. Thats what speed ratting is all about. Its not the speed its the heat that builds up. Sad sad event though.

[Dean]

That camero has no aero aids and looks like its not been set up for the high speed corners. I remember the dude a few years back with the 350z have a similar outcome at 180mph iirc but he walked away...car didn't!!! It happened as he pulled away from startline within a mile. This is sad news but for the event next time safety will be high up on the list. RIP

[mrsleeve]

^
There have been lots of those 4th gen F-bodies to go over 200 in that race all very very stock looking in the aero department and have been doing so since the 2004 or so IIRC. Yes there are some corners on the course, but you have to slow down for them, this is a open road race, where is mostly straight and semi flat. You dont need to have the car set up like a CAN AM car, but not like a salt racer either.

I am just curious as to what tire they were running. If they had on some tire not capable of handling the speed. Thats what speed ratting is all about. Its not the speed its the heat that builds up. Sad sad event though.

the silver state is a sanctioned event, and all cars must pass a tech inspection before they can run the course, as far as I know its a very strict tech as well. Yes the correct tires are specd for each class.


Hear poke around on the web site

http://www.silverstateclassic.com/home.htm