Fatal Trackhawk Crash

[jroyk]

I said he had to have a cage thinking this was in the U.S. but it appears it was in the Dominican Republic so I’m sure their rules are not the same as they are here.

I watched an in car video of him and there was no roll bar and he was using just the factory over one shoulder seat belt. I do not know when that video was taken but it looked like he launched hard so sadly it seems like he might not have had the proper safety equips for the speeds he was running.

Sad, but that falls into FAFO territory.

 

[Linda's Hell Cat]

I said he had to have a cage thinking this was in the U.S. but it appears it was in the Dominican Republic so I’m sure their rules are not the same as they are here.

I watched an in car video of him and there was no roll bar and he was using just the factory over one shoulder seat belt. I do not know when that video was taken but it looked like he launched hard so sadly it seems like he might not have had the proper safety equips for the speeds he was running.

I really didn’t think he had a cage, because I’ve seen racers here in the US flying down the track without one and also the resistance to put one in. Believe or not, I think this is more of an American thing that many racers take on as a Challenge. I've seen some well-known Hellcat owners racing into the 8's and are very lucky to be alive after an Engine Blew or the Trans.

When something goes wrong at the Big End—whether it’s a tire blowout, a chute failure, or a mechanical failure at 140+ mph—that’s when the cage becomes more than just a rule. It becomes the difference between walking away and not.

Back when, Hellcats were still fresh off the showroom floor, and people were just starting to realize how much potential they had. Modding them for 8s wasn’t just about horsepower—it was about tuning, traction, parts, and guts. My husband "Top Cat" was do just that and pioneering the way for all to go faster.

It takes a certain kind of racer to swallow pride and do the right thing before being forced to. Installing the cage and other safety mods ahead of time shows foresight, maturity, and a real love for the sport—not just the thrill. It’s easy to chase numbers; it’s harder to chase them responsibly. John actually had a deep root for safety; he was an Eagle Scout. “Be Prepared” isn’t just a motto—it’s a mindset!