We generally take for granted that we’ll be safe when we get behind the wheel. Most of us will be; others won’t. Take Porsche racing driver, Rick Bye. On January 29, 1998, he was transporting his race-car hauler to the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. Rick was behind the wheel of his Ford F-350 pickup. As he crested a hill on Interstate 77 in North Carolina, he saw the back ends of two tractor-trailer rigs that were stopped and waiting for traffic to clear. There was no way he could stop in time. The cab of Rick’s truck plowed into one of the trailers, and his tragedy began. Fortunately, one of his race crew, Rob, walked away with only a few bumps and scratches. Another one of those strange instances when one person walks away from a horrific accident and the other needs to be cut out of the vehicle and airlifted to the hospital. Rick was given a two percent chance to live and Crash Test tells the story of what it took to beat those odds – from the phone call about the accident to the day Rick left the rehab center.

Rick’s brother, Chris Bye tells a compelling story of two brothers who were fierce competitors in their racing careers. Not given to expressing their love for each other, or their family, they were both committed to their racing. Nothing was more important.

Crash Test is a tough tale and sometimes a tough read. Portions of the book will make you laugh, make you cry, and will make you feel the love and strength that a family needs during a crisis. Beginning with the struggles and pain in the ICU and continuing with flashbacks from Chris about their crazy days on the track, the readers will feel as if they are there with them. Anyone who has ever gone through a tragedy like this will appreciate the difficulty in stepping back, as Chris Bye does, and describing his brother’s suffering. His reminiscences make clear the two brothers’ tenacity.

This reviewer read the book twice and each time the tears flowed as Chris described his feelings when the family was taking Rick home – hospital staff lined up on both sides of the center as Rick is wheeled down the hall, no one speaking but all knowing each other’s thoughts. Even if you’ve never had that level of tragedy in your life, you can honestly feel the family’s appreciation for all those who brought Rick back and gave him the thrill of getting behind the wheel again. Rick’s tragedy brought not only Chris and Rick, but their entire family, closer together.

Rick Bye now manages the Porsche fleet in Eastern Canada and has competed in a few Porsche Club races. Fortunately, he does not remember his accident.

Crash Test (167 pages)
Publisher – BPS Books (September 30, 2007)
Distributor – Ingram
ISBN – 10: 0978440269
ISBN – 13: 978-0978440268
Available on Amazon.com; Borders.com; or for order at large retail book chains.
The US book does not have interior photos; however, the Canadian book does and can be purchased at Amazon.ca.