75-year-old man killed in Ford Pinto crash at Sonoma Raceway identified

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | March 29, 2018 | By Sarah Ravani

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The man who died after hitting a wall at more than 100 mph at Sonoma Raceway was identified Thursday as 75-year-old James Kenneth Rambo, authorities said.

Rambo, a Napa resident, was racing his 1976 Ford Pinto in the Wednesday Night Drags program when the crash occurred.

He crossed the finish line of the race and appeared to slam on his brakes, but the vehicle pulled to the left and forced him to hit a K-rail at more than 100 mph, said Sgt. Spencer Crum.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

[ClearCase_guy]

the vehicle pulled to the left and forced him to hit a K-rail

The problem is worse than I thought -- it's not just SUVs killing people. Now even the Pintos are out to get us!

[VastRWCon]

Good thing he wasn’t rear-ended...

[Obadiah]

[blueunicorn6]

A 75 year old drag racer?

Well, if you got to go, go doing something you enjoy.

RIP.

[MarineBrat]

I actually owned a Ford Pinto with Firestone 500 radial tires. I remember hearing a comedian one day tell the audience that he owned a Ford Pinto with Firestone 500 radial tires, and everyone laughed. Heh. I lived on the cutting edge between humor and daring (with a little poverty thrown in).

[circlecity]

Did the Pinto explode into a ball of flame? (they have a history)

[rjsimmon]

I actually owned a Ford Pinto with Firestone 500 radial tires. I remember hearing a comedian one day tell the audience that he owned a Ford Pinto with Firestone 500 radial tires, and everyone laughed.

Tell the truth, you were that comedian!

[Red Badger]

My first automobile was a 1974 Pinto, basic, $2400 brand new off the showroom floor.....................

[Red Badger]

Me too!....................

[FreeReign]

Years ago, I was a passenger in a friend's 1976 Pinto. We were at a stop sign and we were rear ended by a truck doing about 15 miles an hour.

The car didn't blow up.

[V_TWIN]

Only guessing but if it was racing at a drag strip safety regs. would have required heavy mods. I know what you mean though, a rear end crash would cause a bumper bolt to puncture the fuel tank or some such IIRC.

[StAnDeliver]

It’s a bummer. But these Pinto fans are hardcore; and he died doing what he loved.

[RedStateRocker]

My thought exactly.

I intend to either be killed by a jealous 20 year old boyfriend of some 19 year old gal when I’m 100 or so or go in a stolen helicopter around 120. But slamming into a wall at a drag race ain’t bad.

If you’re gonna die...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhBw80Y54gg

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

more than 100 mph, “

I’m assuming the Pinto wasn’t stock.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Or they could blow up this way;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txcd0u-mppM

[Snickering Hound]

[longfellowsmuse]

LOL... my mother had a powder blue ford pinto wagon... I had a friend down the street that had one too. Theirs burst into flames at a car dealership when they were trying to trade it in!

[Red Badger]

Warranty expired....................

[PGR88]

I'd pay to see AMC Pacers racing