How I survived 3 minutes in a burning racecar - Mark Petronis 

Just purchased an additional fire suppression system (automatic) for my racecar as have my teammates. I was scheduled to race that day in that group but didnt make the race. Im so glad youre still here with us. Adrian is truly one of the most genuine guys in the paddock. Thank you for staying positive and whenever you’re at the track again, we’d love to all see you.

Mark, You have turned a tragic story into a learning tool to help others the importance of putting safety first. I admire your strength and courage and am always here for you if you ever need me....

This needs to be shared in more places. Eye opener for anyone considering racing not only for Wheel to wheel racing but the weekend warriors as well.

The first thing I bought for my 8sec. 160mph drag car after I bought it was a 5lb, two nozzle fire bottle system, I think I am going to add another 5lb bottle and an auto system. I wear a Sparco SFI 3.2A/5 suit but have thought of adding Nomex underwear. Glad you survived, that is pretty scary.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, and great to see you have not lost your desire to drive or your sense of humor!

You are blessed with a wonderful wife and support family. I am certain you were put here to change lives. You are doing so well,Mark. You really need to be so proud of yourself and also of your partner. She exemplifies the best we all hope for. 💕One day at a time, old friend. You are all courageous! I’m so very happy to hear about your healing journey. Keep going!!!

Thanks for sharing your story. We will definitely have an automatic fire suppression system in our next build. All the best in your recovery!

Mark, what an amazing story!! You are an inspiration and I hope you do spread the word about the importance of top level safety equipment

Love you brother, and sorry you have to experience this. For what it’s worth I have added an auto fire system alongside my manual system. It seems obvious, but for some reason I’d never considered your scenario. Someone will benefit from this terrible incident, and I appreciate you taking the time to make this video.

Without a doubt, this has been a major eye opener for myself as well as many other racers who have followed along with your story. Thank you for taking the time and having the courage to share your story.

I’m pretty new to the hpde scene and I distinctly remember the post in corvette track enthusiast about your accident. I’ve never met you but your situation has been a major eye opener. As a combat veteran I usually don’t let myself think about what happens when things go wrong. Hopefully I never need to test it out but I’ve taken a much more serious approach to safety equipment. Your attitude and outlook after your accident is inspirational. I hope for a continued recovery and if our paths ever cross I’d love to buy you a brew!

Awesome video - everyone has learned from this event and I’m always impressed with your resiliency and positive outlook. Well done!

After watching this, I’ve decided to delay putting my car on track until my budget allows for more quality safety gear. Thank you for opening my eyes.

You are an example of strenght for all of us. I'm looking forward to meeting you in person Mark.

Mark, Every moment of your story resonates with me at a personal level. While I a history around motor sports racing . I had several accidents with vehicles with serious injury. However the burn injury in 1976, July 4, occurred from direct contact with one pound of 3 FFF black powder exploding directing in front of my body. Wearing special fire retardant shirt protected my chest. My arms were to the sides. The thrust, fire, and force were vertices as the top blew off the container hitting me in the face the the flame and force, resulting in 3rd degree burns. My immediate action was to cool down ASAP. I ran to the house approx 100 yds away. Sassafras root was a natural treatment for remedial burns. I had some in the cupboard, ground like coffee grounds. I turned on water in the kitchen sink, poured in entire contents in sink and through open the refrigerator and took all ice out and threw into sink . Just as my wife came in have seen the event from neighbors back yard ran home, I folded my arms and submerged my whole upper part and head into the sink. The trama of the icy cold water shocked me to the point, I nearly passed out my wife caught me as I began to collapse. Having been in a rural area, which ambulance at least 1/2+hour away. We drove directly to the hospital with neighbor alerting the hospital we were coming. In emergency they begin cutting skin off my face . The attending nurse remarked the patient was near same age. That NURSE WAS MY MOTHER. TO BE CONT. PRESENTLY I am a photographer promoting vintage racing here in the Midwest. Published in Victory Lane magazine as writer and photographer under CHAUNCEY Moran. Mark, my contact is 248-245-2442. criverwalkerr@aol.com. Your recall of folks who gave quality of life to your existence . Acknowledging that fact is not always present by those who are in the healing process, which is a lifetime process. BTW A MIRACLE OCCURRED IN MY CASE ALSO, NO SCARS ONLY IN MEMORY. YOUR RECOGNITION OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE BOND WITHIN THE WORLD OF MOTOR SPORTS. SHOULD BE SHOWN AT ALL DRIVERS SCHOOLS. HE BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN ME AND YOU ALSO, IT CONTINUES. PRAISE TO THE SAVIOR WHO GIVES ALL LIFE …… 🦅🙏🍀

Thank you for sharing your story, Mark. Truly inspirational and your message 'lit a fire' under me to upgrade my safety gear!

Thank you for sharing this Mark. Your experience single-handedly changed my priorities in regards to safety.

A very challenging video to watch but hugely inspiring. I had no idea that this had happened until I saw the trailer but watching this made it clear that your strength of character and refusal to give up are enormous. There is a clear message for everyone - not just racers. Thank you for telling your story!

So very glad you are still with us my friend. We never want our safety gear to be tested, but Im very glad it worked. See ya sometime soon!

I'm a big fan of your company and you as a driver, especially for being a fellow New Yorker. I'm glad you're getting better, and wish nothing but good things in the future for you, the family and AMT. To bad the world can't take some advice from a bunch of gear heads, who know how to offer kindness and peace towards others. That's what the automotive culture is all about, sharing a common interest with others, and helping one another out. Take care and Be safe. Cheers!

Thank you for putting this together. Your story along with others have been my inspiration for years now when I buy my safety equipment, or put on my suit for even what I intend to be a "easy going" session. Put the gear on and shut your visor.

Thank you so much for posting this. I've just started to make the transition from sim racing and autocross to wheel-to-wheel racing, and reality checks like this are important. To be honest, I still wonder sometimes if real-life wheel-to-wheel is worthwhile for me, for a whole host of reasons. The way you've closed the video is especially important to me, as to be honest my takeaway from the first half of the video was that it just might not be worth it. I'll be installing an automatic (right now it's manual) fire suppression system in my Spec Boxster ASAP.

I was watching that livestream last year and as time has gone on with no updates, I've been wondering how bad it was and hoping for the best. Fucking hell, man...

Wow. Incredible story. Thank you for sharing. Very courageous of you to share all the details and being so honest.

Mark, thank you for shooting this video - I know that you will help save lives by spreading your safety preparedness message.

Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for sharing your story Mark. It is inspiring.

What a courageous video and message. It was an honour having you and your family up at Bear Camp!

Your story is amazing Mark, and I think it will make many of us take pause, and think about things we can do with our own race cars, no matter what they are, what the rules are for that class of race car, to make them safer for ourselves. I want to watch further videos of your to see where you go from here. All the best, wishing you well.

You did an amazing job telling your story! As always, I love your humor and admire your grit 💕

Thank you Mark for making this video. I'm sure it wasn't easy to do, but hopefully it was somewhat cathartic. I hope it finds as wide an audience as possible so others can learn from your experience. Here's to your continued recovery.

Great video and incredible story. You are so positive after this accident and many folks would have given up and gone into hiding. Keep up the recovery.

Thanks for this video!

Thanks so much for this video 🙌

I only cried one time during that video. So glad your alive man. The way you are spreading this message is inspiring. Fuck

Awesome video man! Thank you for sharing and glad you are still with us.

Awesome video, everyone has definitely learned from this. I'm so Glade to see you on the road to recovery.

Mark, thank you for having the courage and taking the time to make this video. Excellent message and best wishes on your recovery 🏁🏁🏁🏁

Thanks for sharing Mark. I wish you the best. You're one tough dude.

Thank you for sharing!! Godspeed in your recovery.

Mark, your strength is an inspiration to us all. This was a wonderful documentary and thanks for putting it together. I look forward to seeing you at a track some time in the future. And stay classy. :) -Nick B

So glad you are still with us, great message great vid

Glad you're alive, I wonder if we're related....I love racing!!!

Incredibly brave of you for sharing this. Balls of steel for getting back on the track in your C8. God bless you and your family.

Amazing video, thank you for sharing your story and for being an advocate for safety.

Thank you for sharing. Incredibly inspiring and eye-opening.

Incredible video. Gave me chills and I felt your emotions throughout. I will definitely be sharing this & hope this video blows up to millions of views in the motorsports community. If there is anything that will make people take the safety more serious on track, it is this video.

Great video. Thank you for sharing what happened and for providing an update about how you are doing now. Love the message about safety. I am competing in an upcoming Optima event and will be getting the best gear I can find. I wish you and your family well.

Mark- Great video and I'm glad your on the road to recovery. This makes the "it won't happen to me' mindset think about your experience and hopefully change their safety protocols.

Thank you for doing this -

Thanks for sharing, it’s an important message

Mark, thank you for your story.

So inspired by you Mark!

Thanks for making this video. I will be on Lightning this Thursday and you got me to buy a better helmet and I am looking to upgrade all of my gear. I pray you can keep recovering. My second track day was May Mania and your Corvette was so cool looking. I'm glad it saved your life. May God bless you and your family.

Thank you for sharing with us. God bless you

Good to see you back Mark!

Mark, thank you for your courage to share your story, both the good and the bad parts. I want you to know that you have motivated me to change some of my practices when racing and doing track days. My visor will always be down and I'll wear the underwear with my suit, no matter how hot the day is. Best wishes to you!

Hey buddy. Crazy story. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. I think about you often.

Gosh So Many Words Thank You ❤️

Thanks so much for sharing this. I'm "just" an HPDE driver, but I think I'll look into investing in safety gear and equipment this season.

Thank you for sharing, God Speed

Wow, amazing story, best wishes on your continual recovery. Safety is important. Grow the sport, I'm sticking to hpde.

Thank you 🙏.

You went home on my birthday. I missed counting one of my presents.

Thank you

Thank you for making this and telling your story. I'm ordering a fire suppression system today.

Wild man happened so fast! Just saw this on facebook

Mark - read your article in Ross Bentley's SpeedSecrets which lead me to your video. All I can say is "wow", I admire your outlook and the will to overcome all the issues you faced in journey to recovery. I am converting my manual fire suppression to automatic based on your experience. Question - were you wearing a balaclava? Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

Better to share it. Very moving.

Well done Mark!!!

Most important thing I learned is how to pronounce your last name when I tell people they need to come watch you tell your story. :)

Amazing story! Thank you for sharing it. Only thing not mentioned is track improvements. A car shouldn’t be able to get to the trees, IMO. Any follow up on that side?

Thank you for this. We’ve never met but I kind of feel like I know you. Because of this I now have an electric automatic fire suppression system with a thermal sensor in the roof of the car- should I be knocked unconscious it’ll work. We need more people to advocate for the critical safety gear that saved your life.

Thank you for sharing your story. Not only for fire safety but your journey with mental health. Let us know if you want to join our team and help change the stigma around mental health @teamwheelhouse23

What was the source of the fire and what type of fuel cell was installed in your race car? IMSA, SCCA and many historic race organizations require FIA certified fuel cells. Personally, I would rather have a top quality fuel cell, than depend on a fire suit and fire suppression system.

yeaaahhh

🙂👍👊

Mark Petronis IS NOT Niki Lauda 2.0, sorry.