Ronnie Davis Fatal Crash @ Rockingham Dragway 2016
- 5 months ago
Three-time IHRA World champion and defending PDRA-Professional Drag Racers Association champion in the Top Sportsman class, Ronnie "The King" Davis, 66, succumbed on Sunday, 10 April 2016 at the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, Orange County, North Carolina, from injuries suffered in his Saturday evening accident, during qualifying for the second Annual PDRA Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway. The meeting was the second of nine events scheduled for the all eighth-mile drag racing series.
The Georgia drag racing legend was involved in a violent crash after crossing the finish line in his final qualifying run, having set 4.130 seconds at 178.19 mi/h (286.7 km/h). Suddenly, Ronnie Davis' yellow and black 1963 Corvette dragster #204 turned left across the next lane in front of the Chevrolet Camaro of rival Mark Malcuit, flipped over the right side guard wall and barrel-rolled.
The emergency crews reached Ronnie Davis in a matter of seconds. He was treated at the track before being taken to Moore County Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. Because of the seriousness of his condition, Ronnie Davis was transferred to the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, where he passed away the following day.
Drag Illustrated Senior Editor Ian Tocher, a photographer who was watching the races, was struck by debris from the car driven by Davis. He was rushed to the hospital with numerous injuries to his legs, pelvis and back. As a result of the accident, the final eliminations for the event were postponed until Sunday.
Known as "The King", Ronnie Davis earned his nickname as a 18 year old drag race driver competing in a heads-up racing series at the old Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway. The category in which he was undefeated for three and a half years, was called "King of the Hill".
R.I.P
The Georgia drag racing legend was involved in a violent crash after crossing the finish line in his final qualifying run, having set 4.130 seconds at 178.19 mi/h (286.7 km/h). Suddenly, Ronnie Davis' yellow and black 1963 Corvette dragster #204 turned left across the next lane in front of the Chevrolet Camaro of rival Mark Malcuit, flipped over the right side guard wall and barrel-rolled.
The emergency crews reached Ronnie Davis in a matter of seconds. He was treated at the track before being taken to Moore County Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. Because of the seriousness of his condition, Ronnie Davis was transferred to the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, where he passed away the following day.
Drag Illustrated Senior Editor Ian Tocher, a photographer who was watching the races, was struck by debris from the car driven by Davis. He was rushed to the hospital with numerous injuries to his legs, pelvis and back. As a result of the accident, the final eliminations for the event were postponed until Sunday.
Known as "The King", Ronnie Davis earned his nickname as a 18 year old drag race driver competing in a heads-up racing series at the old Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway. The category in which he was undefeated for three and a half years, was called "King of the Hill".
R.I.P