NEVER LET YOUR GUARD DOWN!
In mid-June we had to record two fatal karting accidents that occurred during normal free practice days, demonstrating that we must never lower our attention to safety issues
by M. Voltini
Karting is certainly not one of the most dangerous sports that can be practiced for competition or pleasure, but although it is often underestimated it still has the same risk component that is typical of all motorsport, due to speed, the search for the limit, (which can lead to mistakes) and the use of a mechanical tool. In this sense, it must be recognized that the Sports Authority (both internationally and nationally) has always tried to do something to limit the risks and try to prevent drivers and staff from getting hurt. We may not always agree on the real appropriateness of certain artifices or certain modalities, but we believe that their good faith in the pursuit of security cannot be doubted.
NOT ONLY IN THE RACE
What I would like to highlight in this article, however, is that the drivers’ attention towards safety must always be at its maximum, and must not only take place during races and only because you must comply with the obligations imposed on you by the commissioners. Because it is true that races are certainly a time of high tension and risk, but at the same time (for this very reason) we face them with a certain mental form, with maximum concentration, and with all the safety equipment provided.
The risks in karting are still those of all motor sports
In addition, we are on the track together with other competitors who are more or less at the same level as us, a factor that favors a certain homogeneity of behavior on the track. Thus, during the European championship test that took place in Wackersdorf, a track where all safety criteria are met and which on that occasion tries to do even more, there was a very bad accident between Kremers and Celenta; the Italian driver got away with fractured ribs.
Obviously it would have been better to have had none, but just as obviously it could have been worse.
RISKY FREE PRACTICE
Unfortunately, this “worst” happened in the middle of June on two different occasions, one in France and one in Italy. In both cases, it was however during normal free practice and/or rental arrangements. On Saturday 12 June, a fatal accident occurred in Saint-Méloirdes-Ondes (in the north-west of France, near the English Channel) involving a 45-yearold (deceased) and a 12-year-old. While on Sunday 13 June in Limatola (in the province of Benevento) a 41-year-old employee of the track died while he was putting the rental karts in the pits, hit by a motorcycle of a 24-yearold driver who also suffered very serious injuries. Naturally, both incidents are under investigation by the competent authorities (Gendarmerie and Magistrates) and in any case, it is not our intention to seek any faults in the two episodes, although it seems established that it was not a consequence of the karts themselves or of their driving. Rather, we would like to highlight how both events involved karts with consequent negative publicity for our sport in general and occurred in circumstances (free practice and rental) that we are normally led to underestimate in terms of danger. Instead, as has just been shown, this was not the case. All this, however, on absolutely well-organized tracks as regards safety measures, and far from dilapidated or negligent.
GLOVES AND HELMET ALWAYS ON
Unfortunately, it is easy to see that during the days of free practice “open to all”, there are at least criticizable behaviors operated by those who would lose out most in doing dangerous things, namely the kart drivers themselves.
For example, how many times have we seen someone enter the track without even wearing gloves? Not that serious an issue, you might think: but what if you cause an accident because you can’t hold the steering wheel with your sweaty hands well enough? Or what if you can’t help a driver in danger because you would burn your hands against the hot mechanical parts?
And anyway, why should we risk hurting our hands for such an unproblematic gesture as that of wearing gloves?
Also because the same reasoning may also applied to the helmet. It seems impossible, and if we talk about when we are running on the track it actually may be so, but there are those who are tempted to avoid the “waste of time” when it comes to only starting or running the kart for a few meters to check that everything works after some mechanical intervention.
And so in the past, there have been times that someone crashed into a van in the paddock due to an accelerator that was “blocked”, or against the barriers placed across the finish line to “close” a city circuit during a lunch break.
All the times without a helmet and with a fatal outcome.
USEFUL PRECAUTIONS
In short, these recent fatal accidents must be at least useful to remember that we must never lower our guard from this point of view, even more so when we want to spend a day in relaxation and fun. Because all this is not just about the complete clothing or the care in setting up the kart. From the latter point of view, for example, we would like to remind you that getting on the track “to check if the brakes work” is never a good idea… also because they could be used suddenly to avoid smashing into someone else. Unfortunately, we found that a certain easing up or superficial act during the test days are still an everyday occurrence, and this also concerns individual behavior both on and off the track. For example: if we can’t pass someone slightly slower than us, why on earth do we have to plunge in as if we were facing the very last corner of the World Championship?
Driving on a normal day of practice or with rental karts is no excuse to give up normal precautions
Better to sacrifice a lap and slow down to create an adequate distance, which in addition to not making us risk anything maybe also serves to take a breather. Or, what advantages do we get in returning to the pits at full speed?
None, when instead the risk of hitting someone who is simply distracted or not expecting it, is high, or of bending the axle against one of the poles that delimit the deceleration lane (which if it is called that, there must be a reason…).
In conclusion, we certainly cannot list all the individual cases in which a little more focus, caution and patience (and respect for others) allow us to avoid any unnecessary risk in the days of free practice, but we think that anyone can understand what are certain behaviors to avoid. Because fate (but better to say imprudence) is always ready to present us with an extremely high bill.
Post time: Jul-14-2021