Remote Race Car Hits Operator at 140 MPH at the New England Dragway
A man was hit by a radio-controlled remote race car traveling at 140 mph Tuesday night.
The incident happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. on an outdoor track located on space leased from New England Dragway in Epping.
Brentwood Assistant Fire Chief Joe Lombardo told Seacoast Current his department provided initial response and patient care and referred additional questions to the Dragway.
A woman who answered the phone at the Dragway said the space is leased by Hillside Raceway. It was not an event sanctioned by the Dragway.
Hillside Raceway on Wednesday morning did not respond to Seacoast Current's request for more information.
An administrator for the Facebook page Rockingham Alert wrote that the man was struck after losing control of the car as he operated it on the track and suffered a hip injury. He was taken to the hospital.
Dan McDonald wrote that he has a remote car that can hit speeds of 55 mph and weighs around 25 pounds. He compared being hit by one as being struck by a missile.
"Speed run cars get up there to the point it’s just a flash going by you," D.Bernard Mac commented, adding that they are like a drone.
According to its website, Hillside has one-eighth scale tracks and holds recreational and competitive remote car racing for a variety of skill levels. Hillside also has a seasonal indoor track at the nearby Castle Buildings.
Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH