Car Crash: Silver State Classic Challenge Has Ended With Two Deads

by Alex

If you’re a racing fan, then you know that every May and September the State of Nevada closes down 90 miles of Route 318 and, in order to to experience first-hand the adrenaline rush of driving flat-out on a public highway, more than 200 drivers from around the world converge on the little town of Ely in the central high desert of Nevada. Organizers have held the race every year since 1988.

Unfortunately, this September’s Silver State Classic Challenge has ended tragically on Sunday when two competitors lost their lives competing in the event. Despite the fact that the SSCC has stringent safety rules considering that tires and passenger compartments are rigorous inspected and tires with nails or other visible damage are not accepted in that condition, things can sometimes get out of control.

It seems that after their Chevrolet Camaro blew a tire, rolled several times and caught fire the 53-year-old driver Richard DeKneef of California and his co-driver, 41-year-old Merille Hill of Ely, Nevada were both killed, being trapped inside the blaze, according to the Nye County Sherriff’s Office.

While the Silver State Classic Challenge is an open-road rally, where professional and amateur drivers alike can put their cars to the toughest test of speed, DeKneef and Hill’s deaths are the first fatalities at the event since 1992. Our sympathies go out to the DeKneef and Hill families and friends.

Source: AutoBlog
Image Credit: John Plestima / Ely Times

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1 comment

Mark Zimmerman September 21, 2011 - 5:35 am

Rick and Mel were great guys with a great sense of adventure and a passion for life in the fast lane. Rick is the type of guy who would give you the shirt off his back. or the spare helmet in his trailer, which he did for me. After my helmet didn’t pass tech inspection Rick was more than willing to share his spare, thus allowing me to run the race. They will be missed but not forgotten. God bless you both at Heavens finish line.

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