Drag Racing Driver, Dies from Injuries in Crash (Update)
Tocher was hit by Ronnie Davis’ 1963 Corvette in a crash Saturday at Rockingham Dragway. Davis, 66, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.
According to Drag Illustrated Facebook’s news feed, Tocher was in a stable condition when he arrived at UNC Medical Center’s Trauma Center in Chapen Hill, N.C. However, he was sedated and, due to some severe lacerations, suffered a lot of blood loss. He underwent surgery to repair his pelvis, which was flattened in the incident, and his left leg, which was broken in multiple positions.
04/11/16 Drag racing driver Ronnie Davis died Sunday at the age of 66, per the Associated Press.
According to the AP, he crashed Saturday after finishing his final qualifying run of the PDRA Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway. He was eventually taken to UNC Medical Center but died from the injuries suffered during the crash.
"His 1963 Corvette turned left and shot across the track in front [of] rival Mark Malcuit’s car," the AP reported. "Davis’ car cleared the right-side guardwall and barrel-rolled."
Drag Illustrated added on Facebook that Davis finished the lap "in 4.130 seconds at 178.19 miles per hour" before the car turned left.
Competition Plus noted Davis was the defending PDRA champion in the Top Sportsman class and was known for being the owner of Davis Golf Carts in Suwanee, Georgia, the official supplier of the PDRA's pit vehicles.
Davis was well-known for his accomplishments on the track as well. He was a five-time IHRA season champion and earned the moniker "Ronnie the King" because he routinely won a local King of the Hill competition at the Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway. Competition Plus noted he got his nickname before he had won a single national event.
According to Drag Illustrated, he is survived by two daughters and a long-time companion.