Veteran drag racer Craig Smith died in a high-speed crash at Christchurch’s Ruapuna Raceway in 2021, after his car veered off-track at nearly 250km/h.
A coroner has ruled the crash was likely caused by a low-mounted braking parachute and strong crosswinds that lifted the car’s rear, causing a loss of control.
Though Smith’s vehicle met safety standards and was well-maintained, issues with the routing and fitment of his five-point harness may have worsened his injuries.
Smith, who had pre-existing health conditions, was confirmed to have died from catastrophic internal injuries, not a medical event. In response, the NZ Drag Racing Association has tightened safety regulations around parachute mounting and harness-seat compatibility.
Cars veering off the road have become quite frequent recently, causing fatal crashes including this gentleman, may he rest in peace. I believe he would rest in even better peace if vehicle safety and maintenance were taken to a much higher level in general, both on and off the race track.
Oh yeah really? and who are you?
One of the myriads of ‘Health and Safety’ parasites, one of the ever-imposing goody-two-shoes who’s delusions of grandeur includes to put people in high-security straight jackets? Don’t frigging do life threatening stupid things and we don’t need that overbearing bureaucratic terror of H&S. Cut the red tape!
And you, get a new job. Maybe a real job, like producing something worthwhile.
Build yourself a high security coffin but let normal people live (and drive) normally,
find me a job & I’ll bake you a cake bud