Safety at Lebanon Valley Dragway after fatal crash

NEW LEBANON, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) -The races at Lebanon Valley Dragway continue after last Saturday’s fatal crash. NEWS10’s Anthony Krolikowski spoke with members of the drag racing community who say the risks of the sport do not stop them from participating.

Ever since Heather Champigni was a little girl, she’s watched her family put the pedal to the metal. With around eight years of racing under her belt, the dragway has become a second home. “I’m not anxious, I’m not scared, I’m not anything even though I don’t have control of her. It’s just me and her and I trust her.”

Racers say Lebanon Valley is a very safe dragway. The National Hot Rod Association is partially to thank for that. “They will not drag race without an ambulance present with the door open. They take every precaution that they can,” stated Ken with Low Boost Films.

“We have fire suits, neck protectors, helmets, gloves. We have the five-point harness in the car. My car actually has a funny-car cage so in case I flip, it actually goes over my head,” explained Champigni.

Throughout Friday’s drag race, cars could be seen being double-checked, especially when leaking fluids or having other issues. It’s this level of dedication that keeps Champigni on the dragway. “I feel like every sport has some type of danger. I’m not going to stop doing what I love just because of one accident.”

The Top Sportsman Division will be competing again on Sunday. The investigation into last weekend’s fatal crash is ongoing.

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