downs on car carrier transports). It’s obvious that our industry has also evolved into a much safer industry than it was just 10 or 20 years ago. We must constantly be evolving and looking for ways to improve safety through equipment improvements, technology, training and developing a strong culture of safety in all of our operators.
SPEEDY RESPONSE
Safety on track includes quick clearance of wrecks from the track during a race. Just ask Ron Myers of Pine Tree Towing in Ohio, who is a big motorsports fan and even has family members who are race car drivers. Pine Tree Towing is involved in race recovery at local tracks in Ohio. His take on how motorsports can benefit operators: “For many tow truck operators who get the opportunity to work race recovery at a track, it is their first experience with quick clearance.” Working on a hot track with race cars passing you is hazardous even when they are driving slower than race speeds during a caution on the track. Arriving at the incident and clearing the track as quickly as possible is imperative to keeping wrecker crews, first responders and race car drivers safe. Just like out on the highways and freeways, tow truck operators involved in race recovery work side-by-side with first responders to safely remove race drivers from mangled race cars and clear the track before a secondary incident occurs. The entire safety team has to perform a coordinated response in order to ensure the safety of all involved.
got me involved at the NHRA races at the track in Pomona. Then in 1997 when the California Speedway opened, I got my first opportunity to attend a NASCAR race. This is when I first saw Miller Industries providing the race recovery services. This company provided the tow trucks, and their customers were given the opportunity to sign up to be part of the race recovery team. At that time Ken Burdine was the Miller Industries coordinator
for the race recovery team. Drivers had to attend training in order to participate on the track. Members of the race recovery team were all issued uniforms, and the trucks were specifically equipped to work the track. Miller Industries and Eaton Corporation teamed up in 2009 to introduce the first hybrid race recovery vehicle at the 2009 Daytona 500. The truck was a colorful white and green 2009 International DuraStar 4300 flatbed.
◀
COMPANY PROVIDERS
Towing equipment manufacturers also have a long history of involvement in motorsports. I had never attended a race until 1995 when my job with the Auto Club Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | August 2022 • 21