Insurance for dirt drivers needed NOW!!!!
Wednesday,Bare foot Bob McCreadies son Tim McCreadie was hurt during a heat race for the upcoming the Chili Bowl in Tulsa, OK. McCreadie, 34, was leading a semifinal when something broke in his cars rear end. The car flipped,and went over a fence. McCreadie won the 2006 World of Outlaws late model series championship.This bring to the forefront a very blaring problem with racing, health insurance for drivers.Tim has none as do lots of driver, some feel it will never happen to them., while others simply cant afford it.Some of these organizations that sanction these events always want a signed release form before anyone is allowed to race, protecting them from the law suits that would surely follow,if for nothing else but to help with medical expenses. The smart thing to do would be to come up with a insurance carrier who would be willing to cover these drivers at an affordable rate, the drivers in NASCAR have various ways to cover these expenses whether it is a personal policy or a policy carried by the team they drive for, but the drivers we all love to watch on Friday and Saturday nights dont have these recourses available to them.This is an area that needs attention in a bad way, how? I dont know But it should be looked into soon We cant afford to have dirt racing get a black eye over a thing like this.It is not know yet how long Tim will be out or just how serious his injuries are but the bills still pile up and someone has to pay them, I would really like the sanctioning bodies look in to protecting the drivers who put the seats in the seats, and pay these bodies the money they make it is to bad that it may take a thing like this to wake up some people that these drivers really are human...For now, donations can be made to the U.S. Auto Club and sent to :USACc/o Tim McCreadie Support Fund,USAC, 4910 West 16th Street,Speedway, Ind. 46224.Please give if you can if not please keep Tim in your prayers.the Dr.
An age old problem, for sure. Promoters don't carry it because of increasing the costs that are already too high to be off-set by ticket sales. Independent health insurance premiums are unaffordable for many.... without adding the increased rates that apply for participation in a "dangerous avocation". The bottom line is...it is an expense that lies squarely on the shoulders of the driver. Yet another expense in the already too expensive sport of auto racing. I don't think it can ever be expected for a racing organization...or local track...or promoter to take on this liability with the number of hungry lawyers out there in our "sue happy", environment or taday. It's racing....its dangerous...someone is always going to get hurt. If you're a driver and you can't afford to protect yourself and your family while racing...its your risk...your expense...your responsibility. Not a good solution...but in today's world, perhaps the only one short of some insurance company assuming the risk.....don't hold your breath til that happens.It is a tough, but real problem that effects all levels of racing. Very sorry to hear about Tim!
I have spoken with a couple insurance agents who say that if a group of drivers could come up with a bunch of drivers(20-30) that a group package could be worked out no problem, why can't the promoter suggest this? help the drivers get it together ?? that is my point.the dr.