| Tragedy Strikes Charlotte County Motorsports Park During Enduro Feature | by Bill Green
(Jan.21st, 2007) Charlotte County Motorsports Park opened it's season last weekend with one of the biggest attended racing programs of resent history. This weekend's big Enduro event would prove to be a character test for the
crew and staff at CCMP.
During the 40th lap of the V-8 Enduro Feature event, the #5 car driven by Hugh Murphy, made contact with the turn-4 wall and stopped quickly. Track safety crews were to the vehicle in 15-20 seconds. Hugh Murphy, was transported to Charlotte County Memorial Hospital by EMS ambulance. Track officials and fans suspected the worst, but no official word would be given until much later.
The loss of a racer while in an event is always slightly un-nerving, but every racer and fans knows the risks involved in this motorsport we love. Hugh Murphy took that risk to enjoy years of family togetherness and competition with his son, Todd, on the track. Todd Murphy was present and racing in the race with his father. He was the first family member to the car, literally before the safety crew. He will carry a heavy burden over the coming months, but with a father like Hugh and an extended family that runs deep into the CCMP pits, he will carry the Murphy name proudly into the future, where ever it leads him. Remember the Murphy's in your prayers and celebrate the life of Hugh Murphy.
All Charlotte County Motorsports Park racing was halted by Sheriff's Deputies shortly after their arrival, so a through investigation could be done and statements taken. In an impromptu meeting by the drivers racing in the race was done on the track, with the entire field's purse donated to the Murphy family on their behalf.
Track owner, Bobby Diehl, provided the following statement hours after the incident. "Obviously this is a difficult thing to have happen. We had EMT's and safety workers on scene in just seconds. Everyone did everything they could for the driver. Plus, the drivers themselves getting together and donating the entire purse to the Murphy family shows the close knit racing family we really have become. It is now that the entire family of racers comes together as they have so many times before."
All grandstand tickets will be honored rain-check style when fans feel comfortable with returning to the track. The 50/50 tickets that were being sold to help the Boggy Creek Kids Camp will still do so and be added to next weeks 50/50 drawing.
I personally, want to thank the entire Charlotte County Motorsports Park staff and safety crew, Steve Burns, and husband & wife team, Chris & Elaine Rufgrove, for everyone's very professional and exhaustive efforts to aid there friend and fellow racer. To the fans, I must say Thank You, your prompt actions, moving away from the fences and staying clear of the incident area were awesome. Unfortunately, I've been in this position before, when we lost well known figure-8 racer, "Wild" Bill Revard at Sunshine Speedway. It's never easy. It's always hard to return. But, you have to, because that's the way Hugh would have wanted it, I'm sure.
Please return to Charlotte County Motorsports Park next week on Saturday Night and help us celebrate the life of racer Hugh Murphy.
Please direct all inquires to the Charlotte County Motorsports Park office at 941-575-RACE (7223) or e-mail CCMP at operations@charlottecountyracing.com.
Thank You and God Speed Hugh Murphy!
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