 | Major incident team swing into action early Sunday Morning.Glenn & Mandy Ramsden of UK Event Safety would like to thank everyone who worked together to evacuate the venue on Sunday morning during the incredible weather conditions. Following an extremely busy night during which the security, medical and safety teams worked relentlessly until 0400hrs to provide welfare and medical resources in arduous conditions for those who had been ‘tent wrecked’, a decision was made to curtail the Big Bang event in the interest of public safety.The operation which commenced just after 0700hrs ran smoothly with all of the teams on the ground at Santa Pod Raceway coming together, the single focus being to get everyone off the site safely and in as little time as possible. In doing so we had to consider those that may have been suffering with hypothermia, anyone who may have been over the drink drive limit as well as a range of other ‘duty of care’ challenges and we are pleased to say that everything went as well as can be expected. We would like to thank David Lloyd Jones for his well considered management decision, as well as the guys from M&S Ambulance service (who ran the control centre and implemented the Major Incident plan and dealt with the casualties), Colin Theobald and Nitro FM for communications, both the day and night crew from Santa Pod Security and probably most of all, the Big Bang VW crowd who were, with only one exception, extremely understanding and helpful having being knocked up by us early on Sunday morning. The incident was finally closed around midday with all patrons accounted for  | |
" | Hi Lizzie and Matthew On behalf of Ledbury I would like to take the opportunity to thank
you, very The crews have all done a fantastic job for us, and it is very much appreciated. We would very much like to continue using your services, for our 2012 season, | " |
"JUST CALL ME LUCKY".
Paul Marston Racing had a weekend at the National Finals, Santa Pod Raceway that they would rather not ever have to repeat again, which culminated in one of the scariest high-speed dragster crashes seen at Santa Pod Raceway in recent times.
The Ugly Stick dragster driven by Paul Marston was on a run in the right hand land and just after it went thru the finish line at 150mph, it made a sharp left turn from which Paul was unable to recover.
Paul Marston Racing went on to say,
After extrication, Paul walked unaided to the ambulance, was examined and after a period of observation, was released to continue in competition. Paul Marston then went four rounds in Pro to finish in the semi finals, which did his title hopes for the Pro ET SPRC title no harm at all.
Paul Marston had this to say about his experience; “Firstly I would like to express my deep appreciation for all the people who took care of me. When you are involved in an incident like I experienced Sunday, it is a humbling experience. My crew at Paul Marston Racing, for whom I have the utmost respect and admiration for, did a superb job all weekend, I can only apologise for putting them thru the emotional rollercoaster that comes with an accident of this kind of magnitude. The Safety Crew at Santa Pod, who was there as soon as the dragster came to rest, I knew I was in safe hands; you guys are the very best.”
No driver wants to see the inside of the medical centre – ever!! Simply because bad things have happened, that’s why you are there; it’s not usually a bee sting! That said, what a professionally run outfit, they took good care of me, even before I was allowed to exit my dragster on the track. I was thoroughly examined to insure that I would not cause myself more damage by moving.”
The facilities and M&S Ambulance staff at Santa Pod are first class; I knew they would only release me when they were totally happy to allow me to continue competing. I would like to point out that I did not even have a scratch on me, other than some minor bruising, I was untouched. A very clear example of how well all the safety equipment did its job and kept me from harms way.
Yes I did get back in the Monza in Pro and go another 3 rounds, but those who know me would not have expected any less, I don’t quit, I never have.
Special gratitude once again to my crew at PMR, the Crewchief, Funsize, Mad Mick Howling, Sefton Whitlock, Lisa Farmer, Keith Bick and Ian Tink Hart who continued to function as a unit and allowed me to achieve the results that we got, before Mike Lacey strapped a 18thou package on me in the semis, outstanding job Mike.
Lastly I must publicly thank everyone who supported my PMR crew before they heard that I was still alive and uninjured. Everyone who helped us out, all the well wishers and of course all our friends, fellow racers, Staff at Santa Pod, Tech Crew, etc, etc. Its times like these that you find out that the great extended family of drag racing cares very much for all its sons and daughters, I thank you all.
Special mention to my great mate Tog at Eurodragster, it was good to see you again in the tower, the next curry is on me!
Thank you to everyone who has contacted me over the past week to make sure that I was okay, it is humbling to know so many people care.
Santa Pod Raceway – Major Incident Exercise
Glenn Ramsden of UK Event Safety tells us that SPRC & Santa Pod Raceway staff, along with the emergency & safety teams have recently been put through their paces at the venue’s Major Incident Exercise. The scenario which involved a startline explosion which resulted in multiple casualties around the area.
Matthew Whiting of M & S Ambulance Service, medical providers for Santa Pod explained; "This type of exercise is invaluable for demonstrating the value of crews being able to work together and also illustrating to those not normally involved, how such an incident would encroach upon their routine roles."
Despite the freezing conditions, the exercise was extremely well attended and the enthusiasm shown by everyone involved was as equally as impressive.
David Lloyd Jones of Santa Pod Raceway said; “I would like to pass on thanks to Mark Cook- Abbott of Marbec Training Ltd for organising the event and also everyone who endured the testing weather conditions to make the exercise a success. Hopefully the day when we need these skills will never come but should a major incident occur at the venue it is reassuring to know that the necessary training is in place and the people at the ‘sharp end’ know what how to deal with it.”
