Tragedy at California Speedway

StreetRacr · #1 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 10:09 PM

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/s...threadid=27674

my heart goes out

living in so cal, i frequent the 6speed site as a lurker, very sad to see ben go

edit: news link http://www.nbc4.tv/news/4562562/detail.html

motorsports_3 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 10:37 PM

Wow that is a bummer poor guy. It makes me feel real bad to see that.

67GoatPimp · #3 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 10:42 PM

That sucks, but I'ld rather go out like that, doing what I loved.

Kaisake · #4 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 11:16 PM

My condolences to the friends and family of both parties. May they RIP.

dunesforyou · #5 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 11:53 PM

who was the other person who crashed with ben

jackiex · #6 (**permalink**) 06-03-2005, 03:30 AM

that's the way life goes
sad but true
i also lost two family members in accidents
i know how it is

but life goes on
i will never stop driving fast^^

Suneal · #7 (**permalink**) 06-03-2005, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunesforyou

who was the other person who crashed with ben

This was copied from Ferrari Chat: "The passenger was another amazing guy and friend, Cory Rudl. I was with them both. Cory's Murceilago Roadster overheated early in the session. He was interested in buying a GT and Ben graciously offered Cory a seat to show him what the car could do. The entrance to the track was at the absolute worst place in the straight and an F-car was waived on in error as they came down the straight. It was just unthinkable something like this could happen. The driver waived on is by all accounts an excellent driver and was only doing what was instructed. I doubt he ever saw the car in such a blind spot coming on. May they both rest in peace and my heartfelt prayers for their families. Cory leaves behind a wonderful wife of just 30 days.......tragic isn't the word."

I never had the pleasure of meeting Ben in person, but I always enjoyed reading his posts on 6speedonline and other message boards. We all tend to reveal our characters and personalities through these boards, and, from what I've seen, Ben was a man I can only hope to be like one day. We must all consider what the consequences are whenever sit behind the wheel (especially when on track). I hope that this tragic occurence will prevent others similar to it from taking place in the future, and I also hope that this will change the way some groups run their track days. Cars are integral parts of our lives, but we must step back to see what is truly important in life. My condolences go out to Ben's family and friends, along with the Cory's family and friends. Ben posted this photo on 6speed just a few days back. It's his daughter, Parker, sitting in the CGT.

iXBrain · #8 (**permalink**) 06-03-2005, 06:20 AM

It's too bad, yes, but the guy is only e-famous on all these forums because he had a CGT. If he were an average nice guy who put his Clio 182 or Radical into the wall, no one outside of his forum would care. It's not like it hasn't happened before. People on other forums are going crazy trying to fund his funeral, etc... I mean he owned a $440k supercar and his passenger had a Lambo, I doubt either man's estate is in dire straits.

R4][N_M4l{3R · #9 (**permalink**) 06-03-2005, 06:29 AM

How awful! I feel so sorry for his family...

mav21386 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-03-2005, 10:17 AM

does anyone have any pics of the owner of the CGT when he was still alive?

Shotty · #11 (**permalink**) 06-03-2005, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iXBrain

It's too bad, yes, but the guy is only e-famous on all these forums because he had a CGT. If he were an average nice guy who put his Clio 182 or Radical into the wall, no one outside of his forum would care. It's not like it hasn't happened before. People on other forums are going crazy trying to fund his funeral, etc... I mean he owned a $440k supercar and his passenger had a Lambo, I doubt either man's estate is in dire straits.

Although the accident was tragic and ended two lives short, I do agree with iXBrain. Many people die everyday on and off the track in their everyday cars and nothing is mentioned of those.

dsE28535 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-03-2005, 11:47 AM

What exactly caused the crash?

Did the car lose control because it lost downforce or did they have to swerve or something to miss the other guy???

The news report said they were going in excess of 100mph, I wonder what they were really doing? I'm sure it was more than 150mph

bimmianjohnny · #13 (**permalink**) 06-03-2005, 12:05 PM

toooooooooooooo narly...

but that is true at least he was enjoying himself and hopefully died happy..doing what he loved.. WHAT DID CAUSE THE INCIDENT? I dont see any airbags or any kind of cushining on the wall...

zcghost · #14 (**permalink**) 06-03-2005, 12:53 PM

This is all bad. I agree with iXBrian, but this is still a tragedy, and I cannot imagine how the families of those lost are feeling.

Eddie · #15 (**permalink**) 06-03-2005, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iXBrain

It's too bad, yes, but the guy is only e-famous on all these forums because he had a CGT. If he were an average nice guy who put his Clio 182 or Radical into the wall, no one outside of his forum would care. It's not like it hasn't happened before. People on other forums are going crazy trying to fund his funeral, etc... I mean he owned a $440k supercar and his passenger had a Lambo, I doubt either man's estate is in dire straits.

I understand your point and don't disagree, but what you are saying does support the other side.

There are people out in the lower-income areas of the world that die everyday that go tragically unnoticed, and every life should be respected and viewed in the same regard.

But the person who died is someone we can all relate to. The thing about these forums is that most all of us share the same passion of cars, whether it is a honda, bmw, or porsche. These forums are for people who share these things to join in commraderie and learn.

The fact that he was very well-off and enjoyed some of the indulgences in life shouldn't devalue his life by any means, so why he shouldn't get the sympathy from people who share his passions in life is something I disagree with.

And the flowers, well-wishes, posts, and money sent through forums is not about the monetary value, as you are right, I'm sure his funeral expenses are not a big deal, but are a bit of a gesture to wish him and his family the best. Sure, not every person who dies gets this same reception, but a passing of a life is a passing of a life, and his circumstances dictate that there will be people who will post about it and offer their condolences.

For the deaths that we have witnessed where people were street racing or being dangerous, we still offer our condolences, so why hinder that of this person who, by all accounts, did not do anything extreme to endager others?

By what I gather, people are responding to this on 6speed and other places on the quality of his character and the help that he offered as a man, not of the cgt that he owned.

It's sad when a person becomes instantly characterized by the car that they drive, but it is worse when the ignorant use that as a character flaw or a sin against them.

It's a testament to his character that people from message boards will meet and celebrate his life in a vigil.

Best wishes to his family and friends.