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Torts keyed to Best
Downing v. United Auto Racing Association
Citation:
570 N.E.2d 828 (Ill. App. Ct. 1991).Facts
Plaintiff and other pit crew members noticed a midget car driver’s vehicle “bicycling” on turns, which occurs when the vehicle’s inner tires lose contact with the racing surface. The crew members re-adjusted the vehicle during a pit stop, then pushed the vehicle back onto the track. However, yet again, they noticed the vehicle was “bicycling” and Plaintiff mentioned to fellow crew members the car should be “blackflagged” (which is a motion to the driver to return the car into the pit area).
As the car reached the turn closest to the pit area, it flipped over and skidded toward the pit crew members. Plaintiff was struck by the vehicle, dragged across the track straightaway, and pinned between the vehicle and track fence. He sustained major injuries, which required extensive post-operative care. He was the only crew member injured during the incident.
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