New Safety Equipment for Tom

Our friend Tom has always been willing to help anyone with almost anything. Whether it's fixing a car in the paddock between sessions, or helping someone move to a new home, he always volunteers and helps without complaint. At this year’s Hyperfest at VIR, his Subaru WRX suffered complete brake failure and left the asphalt around 125 mph.


Tom went for a (long) ride through the grassy runoff, hit the guardrail, and landed upside-down in the woods near Turn 16. Although the Time Trial group Tom competes in does not require anything beyond street-car safety, Tom’s Subaru was equipped with a full weld-in roll cage, racing seat, and six-point harness. He was also wearing a HANS, which prevented excess movement of his head and neck on impact. All of that gear allowed him to walk out of a wild ride completely unscathed.


The car, however, was a total write-off, and none of the safety gear can be re-used after such a violent wreck. Such equipment is, undoubtedly, expensive to replace.

Our goal is to help replace the equipment that kept Tom safe, so that he can so that he can be out there in a “new” car that much sooner.