Drag Illustrated Issue 109, May 2016 | Page 10

LETTER from the EDITOR T here’s been a lot written in recent weeks as to the tragedies of April 9th during the PDRA Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway – the death of Top Sportsman competitor Ronnie “the King” Davis and severe injury of longtime Drag Illustrated writer and photographer Ian Tocher. Emotional outpourings, thought-provoking commentaries and a few kneejerk reactions popped up one-afteranother in the days following the horrifying ordeal, and I knew that I’d be expected to join in and provide my two-cents on everything that happened during the last calendar month. To be honest, I don’t know that there’s enough space in this entire issue for me to adequately address how these recent happenings have made me feel, or what I think about them. For whatever reason, I’m still having a hard time talking about it. First and foremost, there’s most assuredly nobody feeling this situation the way Ronnie Davis’ family is, or how Ian, his wife, Sue, and son, Robert, are. It’s an almost unimaginable nightmare – even with the knowledge that drag racing is inherently dangerous. I’ve heard that phrase so much lately that it almost pains me to write it. Ronnie Davis, without argument, was as experienced and capable behind the wheel of a racecar as anybody, and I’m sure nobody close to him could have imagined something like this happening to him. I think the general belief is that wrecks on the drag strip are the domain of the inexperienced. And I think the same can be said for Ian – nobody would imagine that he’d be the photographer involved in a disaster like this, especially Ian. He’s done this seemingly forever; been there, done that. Clearly, we’re all vulnerable – anytime, anywhere, anyone. It’s a bad deal. There’s not a good way to put it. I take some solace in knowing that Ronnie Davis died doing what he loved. I know he loved it because he told me he did on a number of occasions (in between political tirades and typical drag racer pot-stirring). You could also see it and feel it anytime you were around him. When Ronnie walked to the stage to accept his championship trophy, ring and check during the PDRA awards gala in Indianapolis to the hip-hop tune of “All I Do is Win” last December after clinching the Top Sportsman title, I was genuinely happy for him. He was so freaking excited; he could hardly contain it – it was infectious. I remember Ian stood up to snag some pictures as Ronnie sauntered toward the podium and Ronnie took a couple steps out of his way to give Ian a fist-bump while en route. They were pals. I don’t believe that it is extremely well known, but Ian was Ronnie’s de facto PR guy. Anytime Ronnie would win a race – and only when Ronnie would win a race – Ian would know that it was his responsibility to write up a press release and distribute it to the masses, especially the Atlanta, Georgia-area news media. It wasn’t a big money deal for Ian – a few bucks here and there – but it was good money for hockey equipment and league dues, for which he used it exclusively. For as simple as drag racing looks to the untrained eye, we all know that there are a lot of things that can go wrong at any given moment. I think we can all agree that a lot went wrong in Rockingham. For as long as I’ve paid attention to the type of person that I am or want to be I’ve identified as an eternal optimist. I have my moments, sure, but you’d be hard pressed to find a time when I haven’t gone to great 10 | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com lengths to identify a silver lining to a bad situation or “turn lemons into lemonade”. With that said, I want to believe that Ronnie Davis’ death will not be in vain. These tragedies are often the fuel of innovation, and it is my sincere hope that efforts to ensure the safety of race car drivers are not only continued, but also expanded and intensified in the wake of Ronnie’s crash. Be it equipment worn by racers or technology applied to race cars to keep them from going airborne, I believe the events of April 9th will serve as the catalyst of creation. Ian’s injuries, which included a crushed pelvis, severely broken left leg and multiple lacerations, it is my hope, will serve as a re minder to us all – racers, crewmen and media members, as well as the wives, girlfriends, friends and family of – that the drag strip is a dangerous venue. We need all be wary of the volatile nature of these machines, as well as the potential for sudden danger. I was at the top of the staging lanes during the NHRA U.S. Nationals last year when a Pro Mod car started its burnout and a 9/16ths wrench went flying through the air. I don’t think there is a 100% safe place at a drag strip. Pay attention. Step back. Don’t risk your life for a slightly better vantage point. It’s not worth it. But…don’t stop loving it. As crazy as it might sound, I venture to say Ronnie would be back behind the wheel of his ’63 Corvette tomorrow if given the option. Will Ian be back at the drag strip as soon as humanly possible? Guaranteed. Although, I’m fairly certain I won’t hear him tell me he’s “going to shoot top end” anytime soon, and I’m not disappointed. I’m not going to criticize anyone who takes that risk, but I sure will encourage whoever chooses to do it to invest in the proper equipment (super telephoto lens). As much as my heart hurts for Ronnie, Ronnie’s girlfriend, his girls and longtime crewman Pete March, as well as Ian and his family, I know they wouldn’t want my spirit to be soured on drag racing. I have to admit – this deal shook me up; it was too close to home. Ian is amongst my closest friends. Ronnie was someone I’ve known since April 2006 (he made a quite memorable first impression), and spoke to frequently. Drag racing has proven without a shadow of doubt its potential for detracting people from our lives, its severe and/or lethal consequences, but it has also provided so much to so many, especially me. I won’t ever forget what happened, but I can’t let myself stay sad. In closing, I’d like to say that few people love drag racing the way I do, or feel as indebted to the sport as I do. I’m not saying that to be boastful, I’m just stating what I feel is fact, and I’m only doing so to set the stage for the following: There’s not a drag race in existence that is worth dying for. I know that we’re all varying degrees of cowboys, but let’s make a conscious decision to live to race another day. Get the ‘chutes out, and I don’t care if you’re racing eighth-mile on a quartermile track – it’s worth the effort between rounds. Buy the best safety equipment and use it – the stuff that is mandatory, and even the stuff that isn’t. Go above and beyond at all times. Your family will thank you for it. Work hard & race easy, Wesley R. Buck Editor-in-Chief wes@dragillustrated.com Wesley R. Buck Editor-in-Chief wes@dragillustrated.com Scott Dorman Publisher 615.478.5275 scott@dragillustrated.com Will Mandell Senior Sales Executive 615.426.0465 will@dragillustrated.com JT Hudson Account Representative 660.341.0063 jt@dragillustrated.com Mike Carpenter Design & Production Director 704.737.2299 mike@dragillustrated.com Ian Tocher Senior Editor 404.375.4895 ian@dragillustrated.com Van Abernethy Senior Staff Writer & Field Subscription Sales 828.302.0356 van@dragillustrated.com Nate Van Wagnen Web Editor & Staff Writer 440.986.1480 nate@dragillustrated.com Bret Kepner Historian/Statistician bret@dragillustrated.com Andrea Wilson Controller 660.349.0847 andrea@dragillustrated.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Ainsley Jacobs, Bobby Bennett, Tommy D’Aprile, Lisa Collier, Gordon Columbine, Rob King PHOTO DEPARTMENT: John Fore III (Senior Staff Photographer), Paul Grant (Senior Photographer), Roger Richards, Ian Tocher, Van Abernethy, Mark J. Rebilas, Joe McHugh, Chris Graves, James Sisk, Jason Dunn, Ron Lewis, Gary Nastase, Jason Sharp ADVERTISING SALES: 615.478.5275 SUBSCRIPTIONS & CUSTOMER SERVICE: 660.988.2313 customerservice@dragillustrated.com DRAG ILLUSTRATED MEDIA, LLC 902 Kings Road, Kirksville, MO 63501 P: 660.988.2313 F: 660.665.1636 www.dragillustrated.com Copyright © 2016 by Drag Illustrated Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Drag Illustrated is a registered trademark of Drag Illustrated Media, LLC. Printed and mailed by Publication Printers in Denver, CO. All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claims as its own, and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Issue 109