--- title: "Shocking Racing Crash Video Shows Why You Don’t Cheap Out on Safety Gear" description: "A Spec Miata driver spun 180-degrees in the middle of a track and found himself stationary, bracing for impact." date: "2022-06-24" modified: "2022-06-24" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/shocking-racing-crash-video-shows-why-you-dont-cheap-out-on-safety-gear" categories: - "News" - "Racing" - "Watch This" --- # Shocking Racing Crash Video Shows Why You Don’t Cheap Out on Safety Gear ![]() I haven't raced Spec Miatas myself, but if I ever do, I will make sure I never cheap out on safety gear. Before each Spec Miata race, there's a safety tech that inspects each car for weld integrity, fire extinguishers, the driver's seat type and fitment, and a long list of other safety rules. Some drivers might find those checks tedious or annoying but after seeing this video of driver *[Rowan Gill ]()*suddenly facing the wrong way in the middle of the track, all drivers should appreciate the importance of safety gear. Rowan posted this video to Facebook and watching it made me physically wince. After running wide left off the track, he spun 180 degrees and found himself back in the middle of the track, stationary, facing the wrong direction, with a dozen other Miatas charging right at him. At that point, there was nothing left for Rowan to do except brace for impact. You can see him wave his hands and clench his fists in anticipation of the crash and it looks pretty terrifying. https://www.instagram.com/p/CfC3mV2rjJN/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D&fbclid=IwAR0ggIvrcVqj18jBbCT_GnjEh_fMJw8K9CH9zqlQM-QOyoN7N_QD--usCSY A few other drivers did well to miss him until a pink Miata—who didn't see Rowan's parked car until it was too late—crashed into him head-on at 95 mph. The impact was so violent that it dislodged his camera gear, so you don't get to see what happened after that. Though I'm not sure it's necessary, the damage was already done. Racing is dangerous, and [crashes happen]() often. Everyone who signs up to do it is fully aware of that beforehand. However, facing the wrong direction, like a sitting duck, in the middle of a track with a dozen charging cars coming head-on must still be horrifying. It's the anticipation of the impact—the realization that there's nothing you can do about it and hoping for the best—that really freaks me out. Looking at his car will make anyone appreciate the required safety gear. It doesn't look survivable. Thankfully, Rowan did survive—though not after sustaining a compound fracture in his left leg, a fractured pelvis, fractured vertebrae, and a partially punctured lung. But without his safety gear, it could have been much worse. ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()