Badass ’65 Chevelle Goes Head on into a Wall on the Strip

Caught on video, a badass 1965 Chevelle crashes bad at Carlsbad Raceway with experienced driver behind the wheel. Carlsbad Raceway is an iconic strip in the world of drag racing and has become a legend of sorts in the tight-knit community of racers. Motor heads would gear up back in the day to run anything from dragsters, to motorcycles, to dune buggies, and just about anything else that could be accelerated to compete here.

Sadly like many historic tracks, Carlsbad is no longer in existence. Now in its spot sits the Carlsbad Raceway Business Park, a strip of nondescript buildings on sacred ground to longtime San Diego racing enthusiasts. Many talk of the Carlsbad Raceway opener in 1964, when dragster Danny Ongais hit 200 mph in a semifinal race.

A track that was in the out-of-the-way North County undeveloped hills of Carlsbad, California, was an idyllic place where the roar of engines and smell of exhaust bothered absolutely no one, other than an occasional coyote living close by. But as any high performance sports there is risk involved as seen in this video clip. This risk can be mitigated, however, if you use the correct safety equipment and are intelligent in how you approach the sport.

When preparing to race if the siht hits the fan a racer must be prepared for the unexpected. As a racer, knowing what the safety preparedness level of the track you are racing at is critical. It is important to ensure an ambulance is ready and able to help on hand at the track and that the staff is well trained and prepared for the unexpected.

Bottom line is: know everything you can about the track you are racing on. Keep it on the track and not the streets when racing. Sanctioned tracks provide a controlled environment for racing with safety for all as the number one priority. In sanctioned racing the cars are checked in and safety equipment is required.

So when preparing to make your first or 1000th pass down the strip, know your track and come prepared. With variables involved, the unexpected gives no warning. On this day this driver shows his preparedness through use of helmet and fire protective suit and walks away only with a few bumps and bruises. In this situation the driver did everything right to ensure he was prepared for the worst. Drag racing safety has been refined over the years (unfortunately by investigating crashes such as this one). What will you do to prepare for safety for your next day at the track?

About the author

Bridgett Davis

Growing up in Greenwood, Indiana a short distance from the world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, my dad would take me to local car shows and events. Through this I gained my passion. Along with cars, I have always loved photography, writing, and graphic arts. However when attending college I did not pursue my passions. I played it safe and majored in business and marketing. After a few years in this field I determined this was not for me and began to pursue a writing and photography career. Landing me here with Power Automedia. I am also now the business owner of Bridgett's Toxic Creations. Specializing in automobile showboards, custom license plates, logos, and website headers. Living and breathing the Mustang life everyday in everyway. To be able to work in my field of passion is amazing and fun experience everyday. The best part is sharing a common passion with others.
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