team 8 puntilla fire, tyler aklestads sled

[franklinfleagle]

one video, and there's another



sure sucks about the guy pumping too much gas and them not having extinguishers on hand, i've had to put out two sleds b4 that have caught on fire, but got them out fast enough with extinguishers and not much damage, both times there was buncha people trying to throw snow and couldn't get those ones out with the snow cuz there was fuel under the engine and stuff still burning... i'm sure there will be fire extinguishers at every checkpoint from here on out, but sure sucks for team 8 to have that lesson learned at their expense...

 

[polardds]

Feel bad for the racer, but with all those drums there is no fire extinguisher present?? I know if the drums go there won't be much need for a fire extinguisher. I felt the racer vocabulary was actually pretty well contained.

 

[tailwind]

Tyler is one of the darn best people you will ever meet. He carries on his fathers legacy with gusto. Sucks that an uncontrollable error like that can put you out for the year. Better luck next year bud, tons of us are pulling for you!
Thanks for the post Frank.

 

[BRWNBR]

man heart just breaks when the dude starts yelling for a fire extinguisher. everyone runs off and he just stands there arms out...everyones gone.
Wonder if this is gonna have repercusion on someone...lotta money down the drain for a overfilled tank....and no means to put it out. I see this coming back on someone.

 

[psc210]

I want to see the video from the camera crew you can see that is right on top of the fire. I bet that must be a Irondog camera and they are keeping the film under raps.

 

[akmike30]

no iron dog camara there they film a reality show out there called R5sons.

 

[Dupont Spinner]

man heart just breaks when the dude starts yelling for a fire extinguisher. everyone runs off and he just stands there arms out...everyones gone.
Wonder if this is gonna have repercusion on someone...lotta money down the drain for a overfilled tank....and no means to put it out. I see this coming back on someone.

I doubt there will be reprecussions for anyone......the racer has the ultimate responsibility for the fill, not the one pumping the fuel. If you watch and listen you see him slow at one point and then someone says keep going and then I never heard to stop or slow down. Bad on the Irondog for not ensuring the checkpoint did not have a means to fight a fire or clean a spill. If I had the same amount of time and money invested I would be a little reluctant to have some else fueling my sled from a hand pump setup. They should go to a 12 or 120 volt (in the video it sounded like there was a generator running in the background) setup with automatic handles. That would have most likely prevented the mishap and it would put the racer in full control.

Also did anybody but me see the guy on fire that 3 or 4 of them were trying to put out behind the sled? or the guy up front that 2 others were patting down?

 

[BRWNBR]

ya i saw them pattin' the guys out in front of the sled, didn't notice the one behind it though.

 

[Toddler]

I talked to the two guy who got set on fire. One of them had his face burned and his eyebrows were notably short/gone. Their side of the story is Tyler took control of the hose and let go to get a drink of water. Both videos are lacking and I would like to see the third camera because it looks like a high-def camera.

My heart goes out to Tyler, but I have to agree with Spinner there should be no repercussions on the volunteers. There is no way Irondog would work without all of the volunteers.

Just my Nickel
Drew

 

[BRWNBR]

biggest repercusion i would think wouldn't come from tyler but some other function with not having a fire extinguisher...all my permits i have for my business they go over all that stuff pretty heavy. thats probably the biggest shocker.

i don't think the volunteers should get pinched either. Collateral damage.

 

[Toddler]

Jake
I'd bet all that tags I'm going to pull this afternoon that IronDog will require a designated person at each fueling point

Drew

 

[anchskier]

Jake
I'd bet all that tags I'm going to pull this afternoon that IronDog will require a designated person at each fueling point

Drew

In view of what happened in this case, there are two changes that I could reasonably see happening.

1.) Racers are required to fuel their own machines at all race sanctioned fuel stops. This would eliminate the chance of a volunteer or other person who isn't necessarily as familiar with that particular machine from making a mistake and would put the racers in complete control of their fate.

2.) Fire supression system of some sort available at each race sanctioned fuel stop. Place fire extinguishers or whatver they plan to use near (not right next to the barrels) the fuel stop so it can be used if needed. Wouldn't want it right up next to the barrels becuse, in the case of a fuel leak/spill/fire, there would be a good chance they would not be able to be reached if they are too near or in the flames. Maybe make a station 10-20 feet away with a volunteer available at that location.

I was also a little surprised to see in the video that all of the fuel barrels were lined up next to each other. I would think you would want a little space between them in case something happened. It would be a lot better if one or two barrels were involved than if 8 or 10 barrels. This would also give the racers a little more space so more than one or two teams could fuel at the same time without getting in each other's way.

 

[dkwarthog]

What actually caused the fire.?

Sounded like an overfill, but what ignited it?

No way I would let someone else fuel my machine if I had put that much time/effort into racing it...

 

[Erik in AK]

High-flow fuel cans, designated fire-guards, and a minimum refueling stand-off distance from the drums are coming in the future.

Things evolve. Usually in reponse to events like this one.

 

[anchskier]

What actually caused the fire.?

Sounded like an overfill, but what ignited it?

No way I would let someone else fuel my machine if I had put that much time/effort into racing it...

It appeared to be an overfill that poured fuel onto the hot exhaust igniting it.

 

[Dupont Spinner]

Here is the rules.....I am sure that what they were doing has been done forever but IMO that is against the rules.

13. GAS STOPS AND FUELING​

13.1. Only checkpoints are designated gas stops. (Except as permitted between Ruby and
Tanana) Iron Dog® does not provide fuel at “EXPRESS” checkpoints or between Ruby
and Tanana.
13.2. Racers will be permitted to receive outside help for fuel and engine oil only between
the checkpoints of Ruby and Tanana only.
13.2.1. NO OTHER ASSISTANCE OF ANY KIND INCLUDING PHYSICAL CONTACT
WITH THE PIT CREW WILL BE PERMITTED.
13.2.2. Participants will be personally responsible for ALL aspects of these operations
including the actions of their pit crew, costs, removal of ALL trash and
containers, pollution control and clean-up (IF REQUIRED), safety, and all
liabilities.
13.2.3. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED IF ANY PART OF THIS FUELING
PROCEDURE IS NEGLECTED.
13.3. Fuel, 2-cycle oil and isopropyl (when available) will be supplied at each checkpoint.
Grease and grease guns will be provided at the snowmobile impound area in Nome.
13.4. All lids must be put back on all containers and left upright.
13.5. Deliberate dumping or spilling of fuel, oil, antifreeze, isopropyl or any environmentally​

harmful substance will be considered polluting and will not be tolerated.


The reason I could see for the barrels to be lined up like they were was for the lights that were strung over them for lighting. The other thing remember it's the fumes that burn not the liquid.

Agree with the fire guard and a checkpoint offical/referee who is properly briefed and understands what rule 13 MEANS not just says.