SCCA corner worker, from Cleveland, killed

[rabbit]

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/roadracing/16927/

http://www.speedtv.com/_assets/library/img/large/66525_miller_glenn.jpg

Glenn Miller, of Cleveland, Ohio, a longtime Sports Car Club of America member and experienced corner worker, succumbed to injuries after being struck by a car during an SCCA Driver’s School at Nelson Ledges, a road racing course in Nelson, Ohio.

A continuous member since 1991, Miller, 58, was working as a volunteer member of the Lake Erie flagging and communications crew, an area-based group that serves to communicate course conditions to drivers and race stewards as well as assist in on-track incidents. An Acura driven by Kurt Niemeyer, of Cincinnati, spun, slid in wet grass and struck Miller, who was not behind positive protection at the time.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Glenn’s family and friends,” SCCA President and CEO Steve Johnson said. “It’s always difficult to lose one of our own, but particularly tragic when it is one of our ‘angels in white’—our SCCA corner workers.”

Miller is survived by his wife, Carol, and three children.
:(

[Napoleon]

:(

I knew the guy casually from years of attending races at Nelson.

Godspeed Glenn.

[FCYTravis]

A very somber reminder that what flaggers do isn't all fun, games and post-race beer call. :(

My condolences to Glenn, his family and friends.

[oddlycalm]

Very sad news. Corner workers put in long hours without any pay out of a love for the sport, which couldn't survive without them. Losing a member of that very special group is never easy. :(

oc

[trish]

:(

[nrc]

Very sorry to hear about that. Godspeed. :(

[RaceGrrl]

I'm sure 'bird greeted him with a cold one. Rest in peace, Glenn. :(

[lone_groover]

So sad to hear. He did something noble and valuable.

[Napoleon]

Posted on Tue, May. 17, 2005 on Ohio.com (Akron Beacon Journal web site)





Race-car accident kills flag man

Driver at Nelson Ledges Road Course loses control, hitting Cleveland man

By Ed Meyer

Beacon Journal staff writer


RAVENNA - A Cleveland man was struck and killed by a race car Sunday during a driving school at Nelson Ledges Road Course.

The victim, Glenn C. Miller, 56, was working as a flag man, warning drivers of course conditions, when he was hit, authorities said.

Thomas Decker, chief investigator for the Portage County Coroner's Office, said Miller died of injuries at the scene.

The driver, Kurt T. Niemeyer, 46, of Cincinnati was driving a red 1996 Acura on the back straightaway when he dropped off the left side of the track field, tried to steer back onto the course and spun sideways into the victim, according to a crash report by the Portage County Sheriff's Office.

The driver's side of the Acura struck the victim, the report stated.

Niemeyer said in a telephone interview Monday that it was ``a tragic accident.'' He declined to comment further, except to say he was a ``participant'' in the driving school.

Sheriff Duane W. Kaley also said the crash appeared to be accidental. When the investigation is completed, he said, the case will be presented to the county prosecutor for consideration of charges.

An ambulance crew from Warren reported the crash at 11:06 a.m. Sunday, about an hour after it occurred, Kaley said. The two-mile course is about six miles east of Hiram on state Route 305 in Nelson Township.

Nelson Ledges General Manager Kerrie Lane declined to comment.

The driving school was sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America, national club spokesman Eric Prill said. He said Miller was a volunteer member of the Lake Erie flagging and communications crew and had been a club member since 1991.

Prill said the driving school was the first step toward gaining a competitive racing license in Sports Car Club-sanctioned events. Participants take several hours of classroom training before driving a car on the race course -- first with an instructor, and then alone.

Niemeyer, the driver, was not with an instructor when he lost control of the Acura, Prill said.

Prill said it was the first Sports Car Club fatality since April 2004, when a driver was killed at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kan.

He said Miller is survived by his wife, Carol, and three children