There's was more than enough action on Day 1 of the 2002 RCAA series. The update on Don Campbell is that he underwent preliminary surgery at a local hospital and is in stable condition. He will be flown to a Phoenix hospital in the morning for further treatment. He is alert and doing well. More updates on Don's condition as we receive them.

In other action today, Rich Hudson was on the receiving end of a 4 roll obstacle early in the day. Rich was the first driver to attempt Obstacle A-7 and ended up high-centered before rolling driver's-side first more than 20 feet down into a ravine. RCAA officials decided that in the interest of safety, they would change the layout of that obstacle. Rich attempted the obstacle later in the day and successfully completed it, but it was obvious that he still had the early morning rollover on his mind as he crept up and over the location of his earlier rollover, his eyes looking down the ravine as he passed by. Asked how he felt about the earlier rollover:"It sucked" was all he had to say. His second attempt on A-7 netted him a mere 6 points.

All in all, there were more than a dozen rollovers today. Phil Collard, RCAA's course designer said this course was designed to be more techincal than last September's season finale here. "This is an easier course than last year", he said. "More technical, less difficult," he added. There did appear to be fewer breaks today, which could be attributed to the more techincal course, or perhaps better built rigs?

In other news..... The "Over the Hill Rock Crawling Team" of Gene Wilson and spotter Bud Harris showed that they still have what it takes to compete against their younger competitors as they climbed Obstacle A-3 - and made it look easy (the same obstacle Walker Evans rolled on earlier in the day).

The one-day cold spell appears to have ended early today as 16-degree temperatures at 7 am quickly climbed to the mid 40's by early afternoon. Farmington 2002 wraps up tomorrow with a new "Winner's Circle" program at the event site rather than having the traditional awards ceremony later in the evening. This means tomorrow's update should be up no later than 8 pm. We'll see...... RCAA 2003 - Next year's events will be all-new! Word is there will be one event in St. George, UT. Other possible locations cannot be divulged at this time, but we'll post them here as soon as we get confirmation. Eddie Perez

Farmington, NM -- Shannon Campbell, perhaps one of the most impressive drivers on the Rock Crawlers Association of America (RCAA) circuit, was involved in an accident requiring medical attention to his father Don Campbell. Shannon was attempting to overcome one of the toughest obstacles so far of the weekend, Obstacle A-4, when his rock buggy went airborne into a roll over, landing on its side with the throttle stuck wide open, says Shannon. When the buggy landed in the steep ravine, it hit the large sandstone rock, sending it firing toward Don, who, at the very least, has suffered compound fractures to both ankles. Immediately, RCAA officials moved onto the scene, getting Shannon to shut down the Jeep, controlling the large crowd of spectators, and providing Don with medical attention on the spot. Don appeared to be going into shock. RCAA officials evacuated provided him wiht first aid by wrapping his ankles in qauze and getting Don stabilized. RCAA officials used the tailgate of a Chevy Silverado as a makeshift backboard. Don was secured to the tailgate as an IV was administered - within minutes of the accident. A medical helicopter was flown in and transported Don to an area hospital for further treatment. According to the consensus of medics on the scene, the injuries were not life threatening but were quite extensive.

This is the first major medical emergency RCAA has been faced with in its three-year history. Despite this, officials responded immediately and professionally. Said one RCAA official "Everything worked like it was supposed to."

Stay tuned to Off-Road.com for further updates later this evening. We'll bring you up to speed with Don Campbell's condition as well as photos, results, and commentary of Friday's competition. We ask that your prayers are with Don's recovery. Fidel Gonzales and Eddie Perez

 

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