[Wade Mahaffey]

I realize what this forum is about, and I know the mind set of the readers is about going fast. I also know that racers normally have very good common sense. The problem is that common sense is not enough in life threatning situations. It takes knowledge, experience, and training to win, just like racing. If you take the average racer and put him/her in a stressful emergency situation, it would be like taking someone from the grandstands and puting them in your car on race day! Sure they could win, (opponent red light, mechanical issue, break out, etc) but I don't like my chances. I'm not saying, lets start training all racers in emergency procedures. My point is that race officals need to be aware of the lack of protection, when the protection has gone home for the day. If you have ever had a need for emergency assistance, it seems like it takes along time. If you're out in the country at a race track, it will take a longggggg time! Would that be acceptable if it was your mama that needed help! Like I said, there are many folks like Mr. Fernandaz that have skills and could be called upon. But I guarrentee you there are people who have parked right next to Ed and have no idea.

Here's a senario for ya:
Joe Quick is racing at the nationals. He brought is 10 year old son, and his neighbor (Bill)who helps him around the garage. Joe's car has been acting up all day, causing bill to run back and forth to the trailer for tools/parts etc. They get back to the trailer (after winning 3rd round and going to the show on sunday) now it's time to celebrate with Uncle Buck and George Donhauser (in other words eat real good!, drink, and smoke them big ones). Now bill has just takin his insulin shot for (Diabetes) because he knows he's getting ready to eat. It starts to rain a little (Div 1), so Joe and Bill hustle up to get the car put away in the trailer and button up around the pit area. First of all, Bill has been running all day, his body using more sugar than usual. Now he has injected himself with Insulin to use even more sugar. Now you have the recipe for disaster! Bill tells Joe to go ahead to Georges without him, he's gonna rest a while (Bills sugar, now dangerously low is affecting his ability to function/reason and he forgets to eat at all! Bill will soon be unconcious and this will be life threatning) After dark Joe's son finds Bill lying on the floor in the motor home. He cannot wake Bill, he is scared and starts running through the pits
looking for an offical for help.(their all on the gates). It would have been nice for the child to have known of a marker on John Racers trailer next door , identifying him as a racer with emergency skills. Now John can do a quick assesment and maybe find a medical braclett or necklace with Diabetic markings. Now he can call 911 and provide some good information on the patient. While waiting for rescue, John interviews Joe and learns of probable low blood sugar situation. Now john can rub a little mashed up sugar paste type substance (candy bar, cake icing) between the cheek and gum to provide some sugar for Bill's body while waiting for rescue to arrive. He my very well have just saved Bill's life right there! All because of "EARLY INTERVENTION" and just a little planning from the racing community.

Thank you
Wade Mahaffey