Chevy Tough Video: Drag Racing ’55 Chevy Rolls 4-Times At PPIR

There rages a daily debate in garages across this great land on whether new cars are safer than the good ole’ American iron of the ’50s. Racer Kelly Harvey, who was driving a 1955 Chevy at Pikes Peak International Raceway on Saturday, will side with the vintage iron on that argument. With good reason too. Harvey was competing in the Colorado Street Outlaws at the Fountain, Colorado racetrack when he lost control of this car.

55Chevy

Kelly Harvey’s legs sticking out of the space where the front windshield used to be. Photo from the video.

Lined up against another vintage Chevy Camaro, the two bowties launched from the line simultaneously. Almost immediately the Camaro started drifting towards the right lane and Harvey’s ’55. The two cars both began the fishtail dance down the track in a series of correct and overcorrect steering inputs as they tried to keep from hitting each other.

Harvey’s ’55 seemed to have it under control at the end of the run when one last steering correction caused the car to enter a barrel-roll. Four complete revolutions later, the Chevy ended up on it’s wheels, facing the wrong direction with Harvey’s legs sticking out the hole where the front windshield used to be.

The racer managed to pull his legs back into the car, pull off his helmet and get out of the driver’s door. Walking a little wobbly, Harvey gingerly stepped over to the side of the track as the track rescue workers pulled up to check on his condition.

final roll

After the third barrel-roll, Harvey’s legs can be seen exiting the vehicle before the fourth and final roll. Photo from the video.

Harvey was quoted as saying, “My seat belts were not mounted properly and pulled through the floor of the car. I’m grateful to the staff and safety crew at PPIR for such a rapid response to my situation.”

Harvey only suffered minor injuries in the crash. The car however, will need extensive work. As it turns out, the car belong’s to Harvey’s wife.

It was probably pretty quiet at dinner that night.

Harvey

Harvey managed to get out of the car, pull off his helmet and walk to the side of the racetrack. He walked away from the entire incident having been treated for minor injuries only. He still had to answer to the car owner, his wife, about the crash. Photo from the video.

About the author

Bobby Kimbrough

Bobby grew up in the heart of Illinois, becoming an avid dirt track race fan which has developed into a life long passion. Taking a break from the Midwest dirt tracks to fight evil doers in the world, he completed a full 21 year career in the Marine Corps.
Read My Articles

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