Another racing hero lost...
06-20-2009, 06:51 PM
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Another racing hero lost...
Greetings all,
It is with deep sadness I pass along the following news.
One of our own, Tom Thrash passed away today. He was racing at Road America when this happened. We heard about this at the track today and everyone has been in shock. We have learned that Tom most likely had lost conciousness before leaving the track.
Once more details have been made public I will pass them along. Tom was a great guy, a helluva racer and a champion in many ways.
While not an RX-8 owner, many of us have raced with or against Tom over the years and he was well known in the RX-7, rotary racing and SCCA communities. He will be dearly missed.
Tom and his faithful #67
It is with deep sadness I pass along the following news.
One of our own, Tom Thrash passed away today. He was racing at Road America when this happened. We heard about this at the track today and everyone has been in shock. We have learned that Tom most likely had lost conciousness before leaving the track.
Once more details have been made public I will pass them along. Tom was a great guy, a helluva racer and a champion in many ways.
While not an RX-8 owner, many of us have raced with or against Tom over the years and he was well known in the RX-7, rotary racing and SCCA communities. He will be dearly missed.
SCCA driver death announced at June Sprints
Date 2009-06-20
SCCA DRIVER FATALITY; THRASH INVOLVED IN SINGLE-CAR INCIDENT AT ROAD AMERICA NATIONAL
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (June 20, 2009) -- Thomas Thrash Jr., age 48, of Houston, Texas, was pronounced dead late Saturday morning at St. Nicholas Hospital (Sheboygan, Wis.). Thrash was involved in a single-car incident Saturday at Road America during the Sports Car Club of America-sanctioned Chicago Region June Sprints event. The cause of death is under investigation.
Witnesses reported that Thrash lost control of his E Production class Mazda RX-7 before Turn Eight, with the car entering the gravel trap and coming to rest against the tire wall.
A 12-year veteran driver in SCCA competition, Thrash was the 2007 SCCA National Champion in E Production and a two-time Runoffs polesitter. Thrash had qualified his car on the pole position for Saturday afternoon's race before the incident.
"We are deeply saddened to have lost Tom Thrash, a great champion and individual that epitomized the spirit and competition of SCCA racing, and most importantly, a member of our SCCA family," SCCA President and CEO Jeff Dahnert said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
More information will be released as it becomes available.
Date 2009-06-20
SCCA DRIVER FATALITY; THRASH INVOLVED IN SINGLE-CAR INCIDENT AT ROAD AMERICA NATIONAL
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (June 20, 2009) -- Thomas Thrash Jr., age 48, of Houston, Texas, was pronounced dead late Saturday morning at St. Nicholas Hospital (Sheboygan, Wis.). Thrash was involved in a single-car incident Saturday at Road America during the Sports Car Club of America-sanctioned Chicago Region June Sprints event. The cause of death is under investigation.
Witnesses reported that Thrash lost control of his E Production class Mazda RX-7 before Turn Eight, with the car entering the gravel trap and coming to rest against the tire wall.
A 12-year veteran driver in SCCA competition, Thrash was the 2007 SCCA National Champion in E Production and a two-time Runoffs polesitter. Thrash had qualified his car on the pole position for Saturday afternoon's race before the incident.
"We are deeply saddened to have lost Tom Thrash, a great champion and individual that epitomized the spirit and competition of SCCA racing, and most importantly, a member of our SCCA family," SCCA President and CEO Jeff Dahnert said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
More information will be released as it becomes available.
06-21-2009, 06:38 AM
#3
Witnesses reported that Thrash lost control of his E Production class Mazda RX-7 before Turn Eight, with the car entering the gravel trap and coming to rest against the tire wall.
Turn 7 is about 1 min into this video
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My first guess, due to the lack of details, is that he had a medical condition which caused the accident and the accident didn't cause his death.
Unfortunately, I knew of him only by reputation. I regret his passing.
Last edited by alnielsen; 06-21-2009 at 06:56 AM.
06-21-2009, 08:48 PM
#5
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/autoracing/48691832.html
This tells me he left the track just before Turn 8. Passed by the corner station, crossed over that track and got caught in the gravel trap beyond turn 8. He didn't touch anything until coming to rest
Houston driver killed at Road America
By Associated Press
Posted: Jun. 20, 2009
A 48-year-old driver died Saturday after a single-car accident at a race in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
Thomas Thrash Jr. of Houston was pronounced dead Saturday morning at a Sheboygan, Wis., hospital, the Sports Car Club of America said. He was participating in the SCCA-sanctioned Chicago Region June Sprints event at Road America.
Witnesses reported that he lost control of his E Production class Mazda RX-7, with the car entering the gravel trap and ending up against the tire wall.
Club spokeswoman Erin Cechal said the accident happened during a qualifying session that started around 9:10 a.m. Thrash left the course before a turn, then crossed over the course before going into the gravel. Cechal did not know how fast he was going, but said he was not trying to avoid another car.
His car was damaged and had to be towed away, she said. His cause of death is under investigation.
He would have been the fastest qualifier for the race later Saturday, she said.
He was a 12-year veteran of SCCA competition and the 2007 SCCA national champion in E Production.
SCCA president and chief executive officer Jeff Dahnert described him as a great champion who "epitomized the spirit and competition of SCCA racing."
By Associated Press
Posted: Jun. 20, 2009
A 48-year-old driver died Saturday after a single-car accident at a race in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
Thomas Thrash Jr. of Houston was pronounced dead Saturday morning at a Sheboygan, Wis., hospital, the Sports Car Club of America said. He was participating in the SCCA-sanctioned Chicago Region June Sprints event at Road America.
Witnesses reported that he lost control of his E Production class Mazda RX-7, with the car entering the gravel trap and ending up against the tire wall.
Club spokeswoman Erin Cechal said the accident happened during a qualifying session that started around 9:10 a.m. Thrash left the course before a turn, then crossed over the course before going into the gravel. Cechal did not know how fast he was going, but said he was not trying to avoid another car.
His car was damaged and had to be towed away, she said. His cause of death is under investigation.
He would have been the fastest qualifier for the race later Saturday, she said.
He was a 12-year veteran of SCCA competition and the 2007 SCCA national champion in E Production.
SCCA president and chief executive officer Jeff Dahnert described him as a great champion who "epitomized the spirit and competition of SCCA racing."
Last edited by alnielsen; 02-07-2010 at 08:15 PM.
06-23-2009, 01:03 AM
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Your correct. We heard from one of the drivers following behind and they said that the car was kinda moving (listing) back and forth down the short straight before the 90 degree turn 8, he then went into the gravel trap at a angle and the car did several rolls and landed on it's side against the wall, drivers side down.
A corner worker was reported to have said that it appeared that Tom had lost conciousness before going into the corner as he appeared to be slouched over in the seat.
A corner worker was reported to have said that it appeared that Tom had lost conciousness before going into the corner as he appeared to be slouched over in the seat.
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