Drag racing is a dangerous sport, we all know this. Each and every one of us know the risks and dangers that face us each time we pull through the gates into a motorsports event of any type. Many racetracks have stepped up their efforts to keep each driver, crew member, track official, and all fans as safe as possible so they can enjoy the sport that we all love to participate in week in and week out.

This video comes to us from Ardmore Dragway in Ardmore, Oklahoma from an onboard video camera. Chuck Bauchman, the rider on the Kawasaki motorcycle in the right lane, rolled into the burnout box and began heating the rear tire on his bike. According to eyewitness accounts, the front brakes appeared to have not held as he tried to roll out of the burnout like normal. The rear tire grabbed to the racing surface and pulled a small wheelstand, causing Bauchman to lose control as the front tire landed back on the ground. He shot into the center portion of the track, striking an innocent bystander and sending him airborne, crashing into the center guardrails. TJ, the man who was struck by the motorcycle, is said to have made a full recovery from this incident that occurred a little over a year ago. It is also stated that Bauchman has not raced since the accident.

One thing that we can all take from this unfortunate accident is the starting line security and safety for any and all drag racing events. Many people love to crowd around the starting line to feel as close to the action as possible. But, the starting line of a dragstrip is a very dangerous place where anything can occur, just like this. Whether you’re a track official, crew member or driver, you must be alert at all times when you are standing on the line or behind the wheel of a high performance race car, street car or motorcycle.

To be clear, when a security or race official asks you to move behind the burnout box, remember this video and know that it’s for your safety, not to make your drag racing experience any less enjoyable.