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#1 … Is you!  Nothing is more important than your safety.  Next is the people around you, fans, crews, drivers and finally cars. 

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#2 … Arrive early at the track, drive through the push off area and around the track.  Look for any changes.  If this is your first time visiting the track it will help you locate entrances, exits, work areas, areas without an outside wall.  All this will help you later during an accident.


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#3 … Get to know your safety crews.  Help out if you can.


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#4 … Show the crew how the sprint car is equipped, ie… seat belts, fuel shut-off, netting.  Find out what type of fuel is used gas or alcohol

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#5 … If there is an accident don’t rush out into oncoming traffic before the flagman throws the red flag.  Help the safety crew if possible, don’t get in the way of the medics.  Let them do their job with the injured driver.  Keep a Fire Extinguisher handy in case of a fuel leak.


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#6 … Push off areas differ from track to track.  Ensure the driver has their helmet, gloves, seatbelts, and other safety equipment.  Wait for the driver or the official to wave you to push.  Ensure your path is clear of people and quads and then start to push.  Once the car has fired it can be dicey returning to the push off area due to multiple cars on the track.  Work with your fellow push trucks..

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#7... Always start pushing cars from the front and take the outside row first.  Once the cars starts, go around the track and pick up another.  Stay behind the car until it fires, this may take 1-2 laps.  If it doesn’t start after the second lap, push the car into the pits.  


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#8 … Be aware of your surroundings.  While in the push off area or on the front straight, you will have cars in front, beside, and behind you.  Be careful if you have to reverse to help with an emergency.


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 #9 … The only dumb question is the one you didn’t ask.  Talk with the other push truck drivers.  Find out who is the Coordinator or lead push truck, ask what is expected, routes, where to stage, safety instructions, etc…


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#10 … While behind a car ensure you watch the crew.  A crew member can duck down to check air pressure and you can’t see them.  I like to flash my high beams to alert the driver I’m about to push.


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#11 … While on the track with several cars, don’t make any sudden changes.  Do the extra lap if it’s not clear to get over and off the track.  This is when a good set of mirrors or even a shotgun riding along really helps


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#12 … Ensure you have mounted some type of safety light on your roof.  If you mount some on your bumper of at the same height that would help also.  These are better known as “Swindell Lights” after a crash with a pushtruck in Pennsylvania.  The more lights is better in this case.


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Photo by Jimmyjeep



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#13 … Communication is paramount!!  If you have a two-way radio, great!  If not, you can buy a cheap scanner and monitor the race that way.  This will also allow you to monitor different frequencies during a combined show.

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#14 … If you are unfortunate enough to shelf a car, hold the brake while the tow truck lifts your vehicle off the car.  This will prevent any further damage hopefully.  It won’t help out the embarrassment though!


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#15 … Protect your radiator and transmission cooler with a screen or shield.  The nomex honeycomb radiator protector used by sprint cars use works great and mounts easily with zip-ties.  The aluminum frame with Dzus brackets is another idea.
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#16 … Carry a few tools in your truck to assist with accidents; fire extinguisher, pry bar, crescent wrenches, flat-head screwdriver, duct tape, zip-ties, paper towels.  What ever you think you might need for your truck and to help out the safety crew is acceptable.


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#17 … Know how to use a fire extinguisher:

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Pull the Pin at the top of the extinguisher. The pin releases a locking mechanism and will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.
Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames. This is important - in order to put out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel.
Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent in the extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.
Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out. Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to diminish. Be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher - different fire extinguishers recommend operating them from different distances. Remember: Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames!!!!

 

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#18 … At home, a sprint car can crash just like at the track.  Ensure that your driver has on their safety equipment before pushing.  Wouldn’t you feel bad if something happened to them at their home?

Thanks goes out to Jimmyjeep for all your help!!!