Not sure which wag shoved that image of my head on the Robaxacet doll into last Friday's paper, previewing the story of my Targa Newfoundland crash.
But they did get a few things wrong,
First, the arm sling. I did get a bruise on my right arm (not left, as the image suggests) but certainly nothing bad enough to warrant a sling!
OK, artistic licence.
But it also states that it was a "lucky thing" that I am still alive to write about it.
OK again, tongue in cheek.
But I have heard other people say we were "lucky" and/or graced by divine intervention.
No and no respectively.
Brian Bourbonniere my navigator and I were not hurt because we were lucky or were somehow "saved" - we were not hurt because we were PREPARED.
Just as my favourite charity SMARTRISK says, when you're going to indulge in potentially dangerous behaviour, then among other things "buckle up" and "wear the gear".
The organizers of all motorsport events demand that competitors equip their cars and their personages with safety equipment appropriate to the event.
In our case, we went above and beyond.
First, all Targa cars must have roll cages. But our roll cage was built by Frank and Dan Sprongl of Four Star Motorsports in Georgetown Ontario. These guys have (a) been national and international rallying champions for ever, and (b) have had their share of big crashes, including one last year which has at least temporarily put Dan out of action. They know a thing or two about roll cages.
I have had several American competitors examine our cage, and comment on its design and the fabrication skills that clearly went into it. If you're going to have a biggie like we did, you want a Sprongl cage on your side.
From this photo, you can see how crunched the back end of our car was. But the damage stops right where the cage begins. The doors open and latch. The windshield, which is glued to the body shell in this and most modern cars, is not even cracked.
That's one tough little car.
Second, our seat belts are full five-point harnesses, as required by the rules. Any racer will tell you the last thing you do before starting off is tug on those shoulder straps one more time. I also do it again any time there is a bit of a straight stretch.
Third, both Brian and I had new-last-year Bell helmets. We think Bell is the best name in the business, although their products are expensive. As the old joke goes, if you have a $150 head, buy a $150 helmet.
Fourth, although the Head and Neck Support (HANS) device is not yet mandatory for Targa Newfoundland (rumour has it that it will be for next year, and it should be), we both had one, me for the second year, Brian for the first. After seeing what happened to us - i.e., nothing - I can't imagine anyone not wearing one.
You never know what contribution any particular component of the safety system might have made the difference. But you try to put the odds in your favour.
And we do know that you only get one crash per lifetime which needs a HANS device if you don't have one. OK, Dale Earnhardt didn't even appear to have his helmet done up, but if he had AND had been wearing a HANS device, he'd still be racing.
So, lucky?
No. If we had been lucky I would have made the corner, we would have finished the rally and probably carted home another nice trophy.
Divine intervention? Sorry. Not buying that either.
Just playing it smart.
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