Jim Belay

[Keith Carter]

I just saw this on Facebook regarding an on track accident. It's always horribly tragic when reporting on one of our own ApexSpeed members. RIP, Jim.

https://www.scca.com/articles/201865...er-james-belay

[jimj11]

just saw it too any info on what happened ?

[WHOLLIS711]

Damn, my home track, RIP. Looks like he was a run-offs attendee as well.

[Tim Minor]

Very sad news,My thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this tragic loss.
Jim was a really great person and will be missed by the entire Scca community.
RIP My Friend
Tim MinorFc88

[swiftdrivr]

Jim was a great guy. Smart, wonderful family, talented racer, and always pleasant. Never saw him without a smile on his face. This is truly tragic. What a loss.

[douglap1]

It was a sad day yesterday at Roebling Road. We were the first race group out that morning, and the SCCA officials did the right thing in canceling the rest of the day.

Jim liked reminding me that he was instrumental in convincing me to go back into racing after I had been away from it for many years. I just wish we had more time to race, and to get to know each other better.

Please remember Jim's family in your prayers.

[Rick Kirchner]

No! Jim and I struck up a friendship around FC and Navy stuff - his dad was a test pilot stationed at China Lake in the 70s. We've stayed in touch since I moved back and he offered to help when I had homebrew questions as he made wine and beer. His wife and daughter are great folks. I can't imagine the tragedy.

[Bob Coury]

Stunned, like everybody else that knew him. Prayers offered for Jim, and for his wife and daughter.

[a. pettipas]

My sincere condolences to Jim’s family and friends.

[EYERACE]

First of all - terrible tragedy. Jim was one of the good guys.

Correct me if I'm getting this wrong - but apparently the prior session had an incident where the track was seriously oiled. Perhaps this played a role.

Jim went off at 9 and all the way to the trees I'm told

[GT1Vette]

We've been asked not to speculate on the cause until the official investigation is complete. George Bugg was immediately behind Jim at the time, and from talking to him and others here's what I understand:

• Lap 1 of the first race on Sunday morning.
• Car went straight off driver's left at the turn-in point for Turn 9 at RRR (high-speed sweeper onto the front straight).
• No contact with other cars and no reports of oil on the track.
• Car went into the trees to the left of the (new) dirt berm that starts about halfway around the corner and was not visible from the infield.
• Field went FCY, then BFA, and came down pit road after completing two laps. After maybe 30 minutes on pit road the field was released back into the paddock.

RIP Jim...

[dannyk]

Heart breaking. Jim was such great guy, who shared his passion with others. Many great memories. He will be missed by many. RIP

We've been asked not to speculate on the cause until the official investigation is complete. George Bugg was immediately behind Jim at the time, and from talking to him and others here's what I understand:

• Lap 1 of the first race on Sunday morning.
• Car went straight off driver's left at the turn-in point for Turn 9 at RRR (high-speed sweeper onto the front straight).
• No contact with other cars and no reports of oil on the track.
• Car went into the trees to the left of the (new) dirt berm that starts about halfway around the corner and was not visible from the infield.
• Field went FCY, then BFA, and came down pit road after completing two laps. After maybe 30 minutes on pit road the field was released back into the paddock.

RIP Jim...

[mmi16]

We've been asked not to speculate on the cause until the official investigation is complete. George Bugg was immediately behind Jim at the time, and from talking to him and others here's what I understand:

• Lap 1 of the first race on Sunday morning.
• Car went straight off driver's left at the turn-in point for Turn 9 at RRR (high-speed sweeper onto the front straight).
• No contact with other cars and no reports of oil on the track.
• Car went into the trees to the left of the (new) dirt berm that starts about halfway around the corner and was not visible from the infield.
• Field went FCY, then BFA, and came down pit road after completing two laps. After maybe 30 minutes on pit road the field was released back into the paddock.

RIP Jim...

Didn't George's camera catch the incident from his point of view?

[GBugg]

Yes. I have the video from directly behind. I’ve given it to the Safety Steward and have a path to make it available to the family (should they eventually want to see it). It won’t be posted or distributed any further. It is as Butch said - no contact, no oil.

[sheltonracing]

Yes. I have the video from directly behind. I’ve given it to the Safety Steward and have a path to make it available to the family (should they eventually want to see it). It won’t be posted or distributed any further. It is as Butch said - no contact, no oil.

Thanks for your discretion.

[E1pix]

Agreed, on a couple levels.

RIP to Jim, and Best to all who knew him.

It can still happen, sadly, but is very thankfully rarer these days. Makes it harder somehow.

Meant with all condolences, regards, and respects.

[EYERACE]

A second source in the same race tells me >......oil was from not prior session but earlier than that. So oil was not a factor. Thank you for the info which corrects me.