Photographer hit by rally car at LSPR. Driver responds with video

"dinobot666" (dinobot666)
10/23/2013 at 11:54 • Filed to: LSPRolopnik photo impact Rally America BRAKIM Racing LSPR media rule changes

It's not often that you can mention a spectator, or a member of the media getting hit by a rally car without mentioning casualties or broken bones, but in this incident the member of the media was lucky to escape by TJ Hookering off of the hood of the BRAKIM Racing car at less than a few miles per hour.

Driver Matt Brandenburg goes into detail and shows how the events transpired, and what happens after the collision with the member of the media.

Fast forward to 8:36 for the first impact.

DISCUSSION (38)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 12:14

I completely respect Matt's opinion, and am so glad no one was seriously hurt in this incident.

I've only been to one rally event (the 100 Acre Wood in Salem, MO), and honestly, it was a real let-down as a spectator, mostly because of the very limited area we were allowed to stand, and how little of the race course we could see (this was after a very long drive to our parking spot, and a very long walk to the course).

I have no idea what the right balance is between safety concerns and making the event enjoyable for spectators, but there is a danger of, in the name of safety, making changes that also mean losing fans.

We've all seen the results of horrific crashes overseas, and that situation is not what I want to see, but I think the regulators and race coordinators need to work hard to make the event both safe and enjoyable for drivers and fans alike.

dinobot666 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2013 at 12:22

I've been a course marshal at SCCA sanctioned rally events, and Rally America events.

When the SCCA was the sanctioning body of rally in the US, spectator rules were pretty lax, that was until two spectators were killed at a race in Pennsylvania in 2003. Because of the incident, the SCCA folded their stage rally program, which was then turned into what we know as Rally America today.

I can also speak as being a spectator at Rally America events when I'm not there to marshal, and I can attest to the fact that they're pretty strict about spectator points, but if they weren't, there'd be no more stage rally in the US at all. It's always a fine line.

Casper > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 12:25

Wow, I think he took that a lot better than I would have. It's a race... and someone is in the middle of the track. My first reaction would be rage.

Part of being a photographer for events like this is awareness and planning good placement for both the shot and safety. That guy screwed the pooch on both by being in an off area as well as being obstructed by concealment rather than true over (like a solid tree trunk).

mattbrandenburg > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/23/2013 at 12:27

it's very hard as a spectator to watch rally racing the truth is you only get to view a few corners of the stage all from one spot per stage... this is the downside to our sport it's just not one that's easy to spectate. I think all of the spectator areas I've ever seen have been very safe spots so this has never been an issue in my opinion but allowing photographers to go anywhere they like isn't a good solution to media management I don't believe... this guy was asked to move twice before the stage went hot by other photographers but the rules allowed him to be there so he remained and we all know how that ended. he should have been forced out of the location and into a safer one.

mattbrandenburg > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 12:33

I've never had an issue with spectators they have set areas to be, and yes as a spectator its a little tough to really enjoy everything at the rally because you can only see a few turns of each stage but it's still always a good time it's just a tough sport to spectate... my only concern (and from my research this is just a rally america issue...) is that the credentialed media members are allowed access to anywhere they'd like to be... in this case in a horrible position ultimately leading to the middle of the road... if they just had minor rules in place (like those at NASA events...) we wouldn't have to worry about this happening... I don't want to kill anyone while I'm out having run racing...

mattbrandenburg > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 12:34

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 12:41

I like how the photographer seemed to be a bit snappy when Matt threw his hand up. I've been to a few racing events when there were some close calls, and not once was it the driver's fault for any harm that I or my fellow enthusiasts encountered. Most of the time we were behind concrete barriers, but close enough that we still got hit by debris.

I haven't dug up much on this, yet but if anyone is truly trying to put the blame on Matt for this, then I'd like to see the justification. It is a rally stage, you have to expect the worst when it comes to putting yourself in an open spot at the tail end of a corner like that.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mattbrandenburg
10/23/2013 at 13:45

Thanks for chiming in, Matt.

Very glad you and your co-driver are okay - hope your video results in some changes.

dinobot666 > mattbrandenburg
10/23/2013 at 13:47

Thanks for showing up and shedding a little more insight into this Matt!

mattbrandenburg > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 13:58

absolutely man... I don't want to see this happen again and I don't think it would be that hard to avoid, would it?

Sam > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 14:02

I feel like 'being hit by a racecar' is a risk you accept when you enter the field of 'standing on the side of a race course doing anything'.

dinobot666 > mattbrandenburg
10/23/2013 at 14:07

You as a driver shouldn't ever have to worry about somebody being out on the stage when it's hot. Ever.

I hope it's never an issue again.

dinobot666 > Sam
10/23/2013 at 14:11

To an extent. I had media credentials handed to me before when I was helping out at LSPR a few years ago when Rally America highlights were still being shown on Speed.

Anyway, I was given the credentials as I was there helping the guy set up his camera for shots and setting up signage for said shots. Since I was in mostly non-spectator areas, I had many places where I could take my own personal pictures from. Even then, I exercised a bit of caution as I didn't want myself getting hit, nor did I ever want to interfere with the operations of the race itself.

McMike > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 14:38

Not only did the final impact take the wing and front bumper off, it also fucked up the paint all over.

Kinja'd!!!

Unfortunate, but glad that everyone is alright.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > mattbrandenburg
10/23/2013 at 15:03

They do a pretty good job of putting the spectator points in good spots, but it would still be nice to be able to wander the stages like you used to be able to. Unfortunately common sense seems to be in short supply these days. I was able to watch before they had the strict spectator areas in place and it was awesome. And from what I remember everyone showed a decent amount of common sense.

Just curious, what are the rules regarding spectators pushing a car out of the ditch these days? Before when spectators were allowed along the stage it was OK, but can they help out now? I ask because a car spun right in front of me on stage 2 and stalled backed in to the ditch. He was able to get it started and continue on, but if he was stuck would spectators have been allowed to push the car out?

As an added bonus, you were one of the cars that got us with gravel on stage 1/2. Your line through the hairpin at the spectator area was most entertaining.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 15:52

Kinda hard to tell. It looks like he might have started into the road because Matt was heading off the road, right at where he was standing, and he was trying to get out of the way. It was really hard to tell since the camera was kind of pointed down, and made getting a good forward view a bit more challenging.

sanchez > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 15:56

Sadly, no matter how many regulations are changed, or where the spectators are at, there will always be that person that ruins it for everyone.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 16:41

I made a big post about a year ago about how I thought it was nuts how close people stand to rally courses. I said I like to watch rally but I thought it would be dangerous to go to a race.

A bunch of people blew up on me here about how safe it is and I've clearly never been to a rally event. I'm sure most are safe and I definitely 100% don't put anything on the drivers but I don't think I'd feel safe standing with no barrier next to a dirt road with cars zipping down it and I don't know why some people do.

You guys are great drivers and I feel people need to get the hell out of the way and let you drive!

dinobot666 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/23/2013 at 17:03

Part of the excitement of being at a rally is being so close to the action. The dust, the dirt, the snow, the mud, smell of racing fuel, hot brakes... all the elements are right there in front of you, whizzing by at a pretty impressive clip.

Does that mean stage rally is dangerous as a spectator? Not if you're careful and mindful of your surroundings and have an 'escape plan' if you will, of what to do if a car does go off course. I've been there myself a few times. I witnessed with my own eyes a course marshal nearly get ran over by Travis Pastrana at Sno* Drift in 2008, at this same corner.

That happened a few minutes before these incidents. As you can see, the spectators were close to the action, but behind some pretty significantly sized trees. I'm in the footage somewhere!

mattbrandenburg > McMike
10/23/2013 at 17:04

everyone is fine and the car will be fine in no time as well, no cage damage, minor frame damage. mostly cosmetic. motor is 100% (radiator wasn't even busted)

mattbrandenburg > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
10/23/2013 at 17:07

he was just trying to get out of the way absolutely he thought I was heading there (although I was not...) he was never supposed to be in the open on the exit the of turn to begin with... he'd at least need something to stand behind and spotter and a good exit plan... running into the road isn't acceptable regardless of what my car does or doesn't do...

mattbrandenburg > Casper
10/23/2013 at 17:08

it wasn't a good situation they just need to keep credentialed media in safer places thats all.. basic rules can help a ton here...

mattbrandenburg > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 17:09

I hope not either but I feel like this will not be the last time we see this issue at rally america events.. sorry.. they dodged it too much and swept it away... I don't think anything is going to change other than maybe some people seeing this video and thinking "ya I better not"

Casper > mattbrandenburg
10/23/2013 at 17:22

Yes, the organization is to blame for not making him stay somewhere safe, but I put a lot on the photographer as well. Part of being a professional is being professional. Knowing what you are doing, why you are doing it, and more importantly, what not to do.

There needs to be a general increase of commonsense for both parties and they are just lucky no one was killed.

steevano > dinobot666
10/23/2013 at 18:38

I fully support matt's posting of this video and airing his thoughts. What could have been a very bad or possibly fatal accident ended with only bent metal and questions. I hope something good comes from this and spectators and media alike can learn from watching this video that rallying is serious business and even a moments laps of judgement of failure to follow the rules and guidelines of spectating/filming an event can have serious or even fatal results. Its not rocket science...Dont stand on the outside of corners and ALWAYS leave yourself and out!

mattbrandenburg > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
10/23/2013 at 19:53

"most entertaining" lol thanks :) we were pretty effin wide, we put a pic of the first run of the first turn and our ass is off the road from the pendulum into it for fun lol not always a great idea but we got lucky and it worked out. glad you guys had fun man, any footage of me hitting you guys with rocks? sounds like something fun to watch :-P

mattbrandenburg > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
10/23/2013 at 19:54

also. I don't think they allow people out of the spectator areas but I think spectators would run over and help anyway and just deal with it even though they're not supposed to... who knows :-P

OhDirka > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/24/2013 at 08:31

You just have to figure out where the best spectator spots are. I've gone to that event for a few years and found some bad spots and some good ones. Always had a good time though.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > OhDirka
10/24/2013 at 08:33

Yeah - part of my frustration was the lack of good information for the spectators on the event website.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > dinobot666
10/24/2013 at 11:44

I can see it would be great excitement to be right up against the course.

Just doesn't seem like it's worth the potential risk to me. I'd love to drive one though!

Otherwise I'll just keep watching other peoples videos so I dont have to lol.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > mattbrandenburg
10/25/2013 at 07:38

I didn't take a lot of pictures, so I know I don't have any. I've been trolling trying to find pics or video on the internet, but I'm pretty much just out of shot of all the pictures on that corner. I did find me hiding in the background on one of your Facebook pics at the Parc Expose. That is me in the background with the grey jacket with the stroller on the right edge of this pic. Pretty sure I'm turning my kid into a rally fan, he loves watching YouTube videos.

Kinja'd!!!

mattbrandenburg > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
10/27/2013 at 14:16

awesome man very cool, we just uploaded a lot of videos to our youtube and shoot a lot of videos at our test facility if you'd like to check them out :) aerial footage etc, some fun stuff. ps: I'm in this pic too in the race suit in the middle of the pic with the BMW logo on it :)

mattbrandenburg > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
12/25/2013 at 11:48

thanks man appreciate that, we love racing :) people just need to be in a safe position.. we love having media and spectators and friends out there hanging with us... in safe places :) you'd love spectating rally (safely) it's awesome man

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > mattbrandenburg
01/02/2014 at 10:00

If I could find a way to go to one and be able to stand about 25-35 feet away from the track and still see some of the fun stuff I'm sure it would be a blast. I just feel you guys need a little bit more space.

Keep doing your thing and I'll keep watching (from afar lol).

Mad props to your driving skills.

mattbrandenburg > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/02/2014 at 18:56

Thanks man appreciate it :) there are plenty of safe spectating points at rallies where you're just a few feet from the track... they're just safe locations where cars won't go flying if something goes wrong :-P

mattbrandenburg > dinobot666
01/02/2014 at 19:02

We posted this video with a full data overlay showing brake / rpm / speed / gear etc etc for those of you interested :)

dinobot666 > mattbrandenburg
01/03/2014 at 12:16

Thanks for the update!

mattbrandenburg > dinobot666
01/03/2014 at 15:05

some fun spectator footage from the rally too :)