Racer killed at buttonwillow

[MMARSH]

Went to Buttonwillow today to meet in person Dan Lawson, the national coordinator of the race series I plan to compete in for the rest of the year. Super nice guy. when I walked up to his pit, Dan greeted me like he's known me for years and introduced me to several of the other drivers in the series. good group of guys and gals.


About an hour later, as the cars were leaving the pits to go out for thier race, I told him to have fun and good luck. Well on the third lap of the race, a car went off track right. when it came back on, probably out of control, it clipped the front of Dan's car causing it to endo several times. The race was immediatly red flagged and rescue was on scene quickly. I believe he died instantly although fire performed CPR for at least 15 minutes.

This has got to be the worst two weeks of my life. I've been to 3 funerals of fellow officers in the last two weeks. One of them a motor officer, likr myself who was killed when a old man turned left in front of him. lThen this today. Honestly I think I'm in a little bit of shock.

please say a prayer for the familys of my co-workers and for the
family and friends of Dan Lawsons.

RIP Dan.

[earlyapex]

It's very sad to hear such a story.

More information:
http://www.ffcobra.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/ubb/get_topic/f/19/t/001919.html

[addictionMS]

I will second that, very sad day. My thoughts are with his family, friends and fellow racers.

I will have my own moment of silence for Dan.

Jim

[Kevin From Cali]

Very sad, my condolences to his family.

[Jack Olsen]

Very sad news, Michael. My condolences go out to his family.

[Zeke]

I have read the news on the officers. I hate it that there is so much danger for the police. Now the track death. Buttonwillow is not doing well in that regard. I'm saddened to hear of any of it. My condolances to all families of the racer and the officers.

[Silveresrty911S]

My condolances and prayers to all the families involved.

[Geo31]

I was just talking about racing fatalities with friends last night and saying there have been all to many lately.

I pray for Dan and those he loved and those who loved him.

[emcon5]

My condolances to all involved.

I am really sorry to hear that. I never met Dan, but I shared the track with him a few times when we shared a race group with the Factory Five guys (last month in fact).

I saw this last year, attributed to Dave Despain. I think it sums things up pretty well.

That's what he would have wanted.
That's what I would have wanted.
Are those just words of comfort, or words that justify our love of a sport?
No!

I think that somewhere behind those words you will find a basic division within the human family. Over there the vast majority fear death above all else. Avoid it's risk above all else, and pray they die in their sleep. Never looking the inevitable in the eye.

But over here the arena is reserved for those special few, for those who climb mountains, fight wars, and drive racecars.

Those special few, that accept death is the inevitable result of living. We refuse to hide from the inevitable. We concur our fear. We live our life to the fullest!

Let's take a moment to prepare ourselves.
A quiet moment before the engines roar

Tom

[Mahler9th]

No. This is so sad. Back in 2002 when I ran my first PRC race at Buttonwillow, there had been a wreck in Friday testing involving Dan's brother Bob, who at the time I did not know. Everone recovered fine. Later that year I got to meet both Bob and Dan through Bob's involvement with Porsches. I got to visit their business and watch them grow to a two car team. Great guys who love racing. ANd great brothers. Just great. As I recall, they lost a sibling sometime around then.

Anyway, this is just dreadful news. Please everyone provide support for the families and for each other.

[bigrubberjeep]

My prayers go out to the family.

[nostatic]

God Speed.

[cstreit]

Our prayers go out to Dan and his family as well.

[KillerBee]

Originally posted by MMARSH
Went to Buttonwillow today to meet in person Dan Lawson, the national coordinator of the race series I plan to compete in for the rest of the year. Super nice guy. when I walked up to his pit, Dan greeted me like he's known me for years and introduced me to several of the other drivers in the series. good group of guys and gals.


About an hour later, as the cars were leaving the pits to go out for thier race, I told him to have fun and good luck. Well on the third lap of the race, a car went off track right. when it came back on, probably out of control, it clipped the front of Dan's car causing it to endo several times. The race was immediatly red flagged and rescue was on scene quickly. I believe he died instantly although fire performed CPR for at least 15 minutes.

This has got to be the worst two weeks of my life. I've been to 3 funerals of fellow officers in the last two weeks. One of them a motor officer, likr myself who was killed when a old man turned left in front of him. lThen this today. Honestly I think I'm in a little bit of shock.

please say a prayer for the familys of my co-workers and for the
family and friends of Dan Lawsons.

RIP Dan.

I did not know Dan, but I am very very sorry to hear about this, for his family, his friends and the racing community. I had just arrived at BW last year for a Porsche event that was to take place the next day when the Austin Healey went off the track and killed the driver and passenger during parade laps. I was also at a PCA event 2 years ago when the car in front of me lost it between "grapevine" and "Club Corner", went off the track to the right before Club Corner and did an endo 2-3 times.
Now, I'm scheduled to be at BW this Wednesday with a small group for a test/tune day and I'm sure this tragedy will be on my mind.
I'm wondering if any further details are available, particulary where on the track this happened and what caused the "endo". In the case of the endo I witnessed 2 years ago, I believe the problem was a deep rut off to the right of the track in the location where the car exited the track. I'm wondering if something similar happened this time and if maybe the run-off areas need to be re-graded?
Anyone have any further info on this?
Again, deeply sorry for Dan's family and friends.

[Kevin From Cali]

Originally posted by MMARSH
Well on the third lap of the race, a car went off track right. when it came back on, probably out of control, it clipped the front of Dan's car causing it to endo several times.

From what Michael witnessed it doesn't seem to be a track issue.

[KillerBee]

I have a little more information.
It happened coming out of the esses with the car in front of Dan clipping the right edge of the track and then going from right to left in front of Dan.
My understanding is that Dan's helmet came off, even though the cinch straps were in a normal, tight position when it was found. He was not wearing a Hans device. His roll cage was intact. The major impact the car sustained was in front and back.

[Vintage911Racer]

Mike,

Sorry to hear about this. Anytime a fellow racer dies or gets injured it affects us all. We all understand the risks involved in this sport but you never think it will happen to you or someone you know.

My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family and to the families of your fellow officers. Not to mention you to Mike. You have been through allot... Now is a good time to take a step a back and thank god for what we all have.

RIP...

[ErVikingo]

Very sad. God bless

[TRE Cup]

My prayers to Dan and his family.

Prayers also for all the police officers that have given their lives in the pursuit of safety and security for us

[Mahler9th]

Well, I find the whole thing troublesome and disturbing as I had met Dan several times and his brother Bob. They are racing friends to be sure.

As I recall, Bob had a wreck there in 2002 that resulted in injury (ironically carrying Dan's wife), and I think they lost a brother that summer due to an accident or MI. Now a few years later, this happens to Dan. I did not sleep last night, and I hoped to wake up with all of this being a bad dream.

Again, all please say a prayer or whatever you do for Dan and those he has left behind, and as appropriate send cards and such to the family.

Let's be supportive.