RV Driver killed racing at NY Racetrack

[Pangaea_Ron]

NEW LEBANON, N.Y. (AP) — State police say the driver of a motorhome has been killed in a crash during an upstate New York racetrack's annual "Eve of Destruction" event.

Troopers say the accident occurred around 10 p.m. Tuesday at Lebanon Valley Speedway in the Columbia County town of New Lebanon, on the Massachusetts border, 25 miles southeast of Albany.

Police say Shawn Rivers of Castleton, New York, was racing a Winnebago motorhome around the track when another vehicle intentionally hit the RV, causing it to overturn and collapse.

Troopers say Rivers was taken to an Albany hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The track's popular "Eve of Destruction" is a demolition derby-type event featuring a series of vehicle stunts. Troopers say Tuesday night's fatal crash occurred during a race involving vehicles attempting to disable an RV.

[AidenJ]

Don't you all think it's time to let him REST IN PEACE.

[Terryallan]

Many of you talk about the driver being stupid, foolish or what ever. He died doing what he wanted. He was more than likely having the best time of his life.

Thing is. We are ALL going to die. Does it make a difference if we die in our bed, on our way to work, or even while working? Not really. But there is something to be said about dying doing what you love.

Do you want to go quietly bored to death, or do you want to go sliding sideways screaming "what a ride"?

[Dog_Folks]

Lebanon Valley Speedway has been racing there for 63 years.

They have an excellent safety record, that will compare well to any track of it's type. (1/2 Clay dirt oval, banked. )

I personally have raced Sportsman class there and I know safety is a top priority there. Every race car is checked EVERY week upon entry into the pits.

I know that demolition derby cars have different standards, but safety rules are in effect and more importantly the cars are checked.

[Dutch_12078]

The motorhome rolled over and collapsed after being hit, causing massive head trauma to Mr. Rivers, despite wearing a helmet. There was no roll cage installed.

Crash kills driver at Lebanon Valley Speedway event

[charlie_good_ti]

There seem to be (steering wheel holders) who feel they can all drive like Nascar drivers an cut in front of you.I know that ocasionally happened driving big truck but seems even more frequent in the rv.As a result there will be a windshield camera in our rv.They are cheap an even if there is no need to cecord someone cutting you off mine keeps 10 hrs of your driving so it is interesting to review sights you seen on your trip.

[wildmanbaker]

Rbertalotto wrote:
Chill out folks...He knew what he was getting into. It's entertainment and it actually is great fun! I've competed in many demolition derbys when I was younger and always had a GREAT time. Always concerned about burning to death rather than getting hurt in a collision.

The Darin, stupid, etc. comments are made by people that probably themselves, should not be on the road. Of course, everyone is perfect pounding a key board. Many race tracks have trailer races, boat races, fox and hound type races, where the other contestants try to disable the fox, which is a school bus, ambulance, MH, or other larger Vehicle. Speeds are not the great, since the vehicles involved are not race cars, but made safer by removing glass and usually welding, or chaining the doors closed. This for entertainment, not intended to endanger, or Maim anyone. Give the persons family some forgiveness.

[msmith1199]

frankdamp wrote:
It appears that he was the "target" of an intentional collision. I've always thought "Demolition Derbies" were stupid.

I have seen videos of demolition derbies with motorhomes and they look like fun. But in a demolition derby you are inside an arena and the speeds you can get to a very limited. The limited info in this article says "racing around a track." I'm just making some assumptions here but it sounds like higher speeds were involved than your normal demolition derby. And as a result somebody is dead.

[DallasSteve]

This is a tragic story, but I couldn't resist posting this video. It's pretty funny, but they should not have let the Class B Toyota in the race. That's what I'd call a red herring.

Top Gear - RV Race

[Old-Biscuit]

96Bounder30E wrote:
Our local track "Irwindale motor speedway" does the same thing....."night of destruction-trailer racing".......

Irwindale.........:S

Didn't realize Irwindale still had a track.

Did a couple of demolition derbies there along with some sidecar racing back in the early/mid 80s

LOTS of fun!!!

[3oaks]

I was going to add a comment but I see there was enough said already.
But it is sad a life was lost and the grieve it caused to family and friends.

[bob_nestor]

J-Rooster wrote:
As everyone knows RV's are not set up to race! Was there a failure in his roll cage or roll bar? You can't get on a legal sanctioned race track in these types of vehicles without protection? The only RV race that I heard of is when Chinook RV out of Yakima, WA. many years ago took one of there coaches off the production line. And took it to a race track to see how fast it would go. It was a gasser, big block chevy (8.1) and it did 101 mph and this took place at speed week on the salt flats to set and new land speed record for RV's.

I owned two Chinooks and they were both Ford based. Didn't know they ever built on Chevy, and I remember seeing the video of that land speed record run. It looked identical to my Ford 350 Chinook Concourse that had the V-10.

[Rbertalotto]

Chill out folks...He knew what he was getting into. It's entertainment and it actually is great fun! I've competed in many demolition derbys when I was younger and always had a GREAT time. Always concerned about burning to death rather than getting hurt in a collision.

[96Bounder30E]

Our local track "Irwindale motor speedway" does the same thing....."night of destruction-trailer racing".......


It sure is fun to watch BUT...it sure looks dangerous! Sad to hear someone lost their life entertaining others......

[Doug156]

You can't fix stupid