Track days are the most dangerous way to exercise a car on the track. Yes far, far better than on public roads but track days are way more dangerous that any form of racing.
Why do I say that?
- Because you have novices that do not understand or know the rules related to safe track use. Things like holding your line, etc.
- You also have people all pumped up about to show the world that what they can do. Yes racing has this, but after the first few races that leaves ...
- Lack of proper racing car safety requirements.
- Lack of proper marshalling, including medical people (?).
They are as dangerous as private practise sessions ... no marshalling, etc.
From what I have read about this tragic accident is another car pulled out on the track right infront of this car ... the driver swerved and lost control at around 150mph. As normal for track days somebody else caused the accident.
If this had happened in NZ the track officials would be charged with manslaughter as it is
their responsibility to run a safe track day ... and they failed!
Thus who was controlling the pit exit (I have assumed this is where the erant car came from)?. It was not either drivers fault ... you need a pit exit NON-driver to control entry to the track.
Thus I feel very sorry for all involved (especially family/kids, etc.) and I feel very sorry for the other driver who probably feels he/she caused this accident. IMO they didn't but the lack of proper safety and controls did ... and that is the organisers area.
Note: I do not know the full story and thus this is my opinion from what I have read, and also my opinion on why one should always think twice, if not three times about doing a club track day. If you want to track your car ... join a amature race series, far safer as the drivers know what they are doing and proper race type marshalling/controls.
Pete
ps: I also used to be very wary of the first race meeting of a seasons. Lots of hyped up drivers with new mods to test, for the first time against their opposition ... equates to lots of bent cars going home.