MARK TATE CRITICALLY INJURED IN NITROUS FIRE AT GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

As you may or may not know, Mark Tate was critically injured in a nitrous fire at Gateway International Raceway last Saturday (April 29). Almost immediately after his car launched, an engine backfire (I speculate) started a nitrous fire in the engine compartment. A few seconds later, the hood and scoop were blown off the car in a huge fireball. Fire erupted from not only the engine area, but the driver's compartment. The track crew responded immediately with at least four fire extinguishers, but the fire raged on for what seemed like an eternity. Mark got out of the car (or was helped out, I couldn't see), and leaned against the concrete wall.

He's now listed in critical but stable position at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in the Burn Area. I spoke with his son this afternoon; he knows his Dad will be at St. John's in St. Louis the whole month of May. He asks that we keep Mark in our thoughts and prayers. He told me an e-mail site will (or has) been set up to send encouragement/thoughts, etc. for Mark. Send them to marktate5@hotmail.com Please pass this to your friends & acquaintences in the racing community for Mark's behalf.

Tim Seibel
May 2, 2000