Fellow offoader Hurt.

Mac5005

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Location
Rocky Mount
Wasn’t sure to post this, or where to put it. I’m having a hard time coming up with what/how to say it, so I’ll just dive in.

A friend and off-roader, Jeff Davidson from Charlottesville rolled his rig last Thursday night @ AOP.

During the roll, a fire broke out, and both Jeff and his rig were burned badly.

Jeff was airlifted for his burn treatment.

He was in ICU, but now was able to walk to this ICU step down unit.

He still has a very long road ahead of him.

Several of us on here have wheeled with him, and know him, and a couple others from our group who don’t forum, are working to gather parts to rebuild a buggy for him.

Here is a link to his gofundme page setup by his passenger, and his wife to aid in his rehabilitation. There are also more details there.

Donate to Jeff Davison’s Rehabilitation organized by Michael Miller

I’m not asking anyone to donate, but if you feel inclined, it is much appreciated. If you can’t or don’t wish to donate, please take the time to share the link, and pause for a moment and pray for Jeff, his wife Morgan, and their family.

We all know the risk of this lifestyle, and we all know the possible consequences. I get choked up at thinking about what has happened, and the outpouring of support from others in our lifestyle and brotherhood.

I’m just asking for prayers and donations if possible for this young family.

Jeff is a great guy and I can’t wait to get back on the trails with him.
 
Wow that thing is burnt up. Was the fire ATF related or fuel related? Hope he recovers well.
 
That really sucks. I hope he recovers well.

This is exactly the reason that my fire extinguisher is mounted at the front of my seat. It's a PITA location for driving but it's within reach if I'm strapped in and need it. When I flopped mine, my extinguisher was mounted to the rear sport bar. Being on my side made me realize that it was in a shitty place should I ever need it in a hurry.
 
That really sucks. I hope he recovers well.

This is exactly the reason that my fire extinguisher is mounted at the front of my seat. It's a PITA location for driving but it's within reach if I'm strapped in and need it. When I flopped mine, my extinguisher was mounted to the rear sport bar. Being on my side made me realize that it was in a shitty place should I ever need it in a hurry.
Noted. I may move mine if I can.
 
It definitely got our groups awareness up as several are ordering dedicated suppression systems.

The relatively cheap $500-$1000 for dedicated suppression system isn’t a huge investment compared to other part costs, with huge potential for returns.

Ken has it on the race jeep with the idea, that it gives us time to get out, and use the extinguishers. It’s a huge peace of mind knowing it’s there and ready to go, at the pull of one pin/handle.

I was surprised to see Loren Healy video from aop fire and either not use/not have dedicated suppression system.
 
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Thinking back to the "drive it like a rental" fire at the ECORS race, they had a fuel rail crack at the fitting. If I remember correctly, they were able to get out with only minor injuries, but talked about the extinguishers really didn't do anything for the fire. I've seen demonstrations of common portable extinguishers against gas fires that back this up as well. That fire went up quick and hot, and they were lucky to get out as quickly as they did.

Another good thing is to make sure you have harness cutters within easy reach of the driver/passenger/bystanders. You can zip tie them to the cage pretty easily, and they only cost a few bucks a piece.
 
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I was just watching the Busted Knuckle Tech Tuesday video they posted on the new pirate board. It addresses this very thing along with other fluids. It sucks this happened. It's made me rethink how I need to route my vent lines.
 
Thinking back to the "drive it like a rental" fire at the ECORS race, they had a fuel rail crack at the fitting. If I remember correctly, they were able to get out with only minor injuries, but talked about the extinguishers really didn't do anything for the fire. I've seen demonstrations of common portable extinguishers against gas fires that back this up as well. That fire went up quick and hot, and they were lucky to get out as quickly as they did.

Another good thing is to make sure you have harness cutters within easy reach of the driver/passenger/bystanders. You can zip tie them to the cage pretty easily, and they only cost a few bucks a piece.

+1...
plus good idea to have a master electrical disconnect in easy reach.
In that case they put the fire out initially...but the fuel pump wouldnt shut off and continued to spray fuel onto flash point hot surfaces and reignited....
Anyone, even a dedicated suprression system will run out of foam before you run out of 20 gallons of fuel...
 
Thinking back to the "drive it like a rental" fire at the ECORS race, they had a fuel rail crack at the fitting. If I remember correctly, they were able to get out with only minor injuries, but talked about the extinguishers really didn't do anything for the fire. I've seen demonstrations of common portable extinguishers against gas fires that back this up as well. That fire went up quick and hot, and they were lucky to get out as quickly as they did.

Another good thing is to make sure you have harness cutters within easy reach of the driver/passenger/bystanders. You can zip tie them to the cage pretty easily, and they only cost a few bucks a piece.
We had a fire in Harlan last year or the year before. It was fuel and took 5 extinguishers to get it out. I have one by me and one on the cage that people can grad easily.
 
From Jeff today:

57d287071ba32fd394a3798553868fa5.jpg


Again I thank everyone for their donations, sharing his story, and for the prayers. All of which mean the world.
 
Is there a parts list of things that will be needed? I know I have a ton of leftover parts from my buggy I just never got around to using or selling. Maybe some of it will be useful.
 
Is there a parts list of things that will be needed? I know I have a ton of leftover parts from my buggy I just never got around to using or selling. Maybe some of it will be useful.

Not officially yet. His buggy should be at Bobby’s this weekend, and Bobby is going to assess so we can get a direction.

Big thing at moment is whether the rear axle got cooked or not. If the axles are good we are going to stick with rocks, if the rear is bad we are going to tons.

Already spoke with several vendors, Barnes, goforth, safecraft, ecgs and several others are all on board.

Several of us are cleaning out our leftover stuff to donate as well.

I’ll try to get a list of needed stuff updated here as soon as it exists.

Thanks.
 
This is terrible to hear.

In addition to fire suppression systems discussion, maybe some of you 'in the know' can give the rest of us tips on how to properly plumb a fuel system to minimize the chances of this happening. I'm kind of ignorant on that subject. Perhaps a 'Safety' thread of its own is a good idea. I remember several years back when a few people in a row had head injuries that quite a few people, including myself, started wearing helmets. At least on the harder trails.

 
Go Fund me doesn't pay unless goal is meet? I donated. I don't see a time limit. Anyone have any experiences with this?
 
The gofundme said fuel spray. Vent routing is good, but won't help if a cracked fuel rail/line/fitting is the cause.

In alot of racing sanctions they require an oil pressure switch in the fuel pump wiring. That way if the car rolls and oil pressure drops, it'll kill the fuel pump.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
 
T-Shirt wegotyoursixjeff | Etsy

A portion of the proceeds on shirt sales are going to Jeff’s fund. Shirts are not for profit, but I don’t know specifics of shirt cost vs donation amount.

Rear axle was gone.

Current plan is turbo 6.0, 350,atlas, tons, 43s, working on details and should have more info this week after speaking with more vendors.

Current plan is to unveil at AOP a year from now, and have his old/new buggy there with a big benefit ride/show. May also coincide with u4 race next year depending on next year u4 schedule.
 
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