bending up the Z28 again

[GregWeld]

Anyone that thinks they can go out and "race" their car --- and not have carnage... is just kidding themselves. Doesn't even have to be a wreck. It can be rear ends - motors - tranny's - I've seen wheels break and do serious damage. I've seen balljoint failures that fold the suspension and wheel up into the fender....

At Sonoma Mini Nats two years ago there was a Porsche so wadded up it was hard to recognize it... and a brand new not even license plated GT500 that was smashed to the windshield in front, and the trunk was in the back seat...

Alex did about 30 grand in damage to the Lotus at Laguna Seca a couple years ago... Thank you Brian Hobaugh for fixing it up! Was all cosmetic.. except for the exhaust system.

My point is -- stuff happens out there. It doesn't take but a split second and you've got a POS to put on/in a trailer.

[SSLance]

I know it happens, it's still a bit different when you are standing there watching it when it happens right before your run though.

And remember, while we are on a race track here...most of these are still street cars.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by SSLance

I know it happens, it's still a bit different when you are standing there watching it when it happens right before your run though.

And remember, while we are on a race track here...most of these are still street cars.

Lance --- I wan't making a point to YOU personally -- I was making a point that if people are going to enter their car to "race" (against the clock or otherwise) that they need to be very cognizant that crashes and damage happen.

[DBasher]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

My point is -- stuff happens out there. It doesn't take but a split second and you've got a POS to put on/in a trailer.

Exactly why I'm starting with a POS!

[SSLance]

The mechanical failures are what concern me more than a driving error. Jeff lost his brakes and it cost him a car. A very cool and very special car too.

I heard a noise I didn't like at the end of my third session and I knew right away I was putting it on the trailer and wrapping it up. Too damn hot to even think about a thrash to diagnose and possibly fix in less than the 2 hours that were left.

This track was one that will bite you in a second. Almost zero margin for error if you are running 9 or 10 10ths... I wish I would have got more time to get the corners more automatic for me...I was still learning and having to think about which corner was coming up next when I was done for the day. Some parts of it were super fun and I was learning how to make the rest of it fun as well.

[71RS/SS396]

Incidents like this is why most of these "street cars" have no business being on the road course going the speeds they're going. The late model cars you have a fighting chance of being ok... the vintage cars... not so much. I guess we'll just wait until we injure someone severely or worse before we require roll cages, fire systems, and other proper safety equipment.

[wiedemab]

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396

Incidents like this is why most of these "street cars" have no business being on the road course going the speeds they're going. The late model cars you have a fighting chance of being ok... the vintage cars... not so much. I guess we'll just wait until we injure someone severely or worse before we require roll cages, fire systems, and other proper safety equipment.

This is why my car will have a properly padded cage, fire system etc..

Glad that Ken is OK again. This is a good reminder to everyone that things happen - - -Be safe!

[GregWeld]

Dave Gordon and I were just talking about collapsible columns.... I had a vision of t boning a spinning car (or maybe it's me into a K wall) and being strapped in with a 5 point harness -- with a steering column impaling me.... UGH


The new cars are built with impact planned in... crush zones and all that good stuff... my old Mustang has none of that. I do - however - have a fire bottle with nozzles in the engine compartment as well as inside.... I'm wearing a full driver suit - shoes - gloves - helmet - and if in the Lotus - a HANS device and arm restraints. Both cars have electric shut offs exposed and marked... and have removable steering wheels for easier exit if required.

What's my point?? You wad up the front end of the car -- and you catch fire -- and now you can't get out because the wheel has you pinned in... or you back the car into something and it's leaking fuel and you're slumped over with a back injury or a busted arm... and you can't turn off the electrical system... or you get all crossed up and go sideways off into the dirt and catch and roll... upside-down and pinned in cause the door won't open... and fuel is dumping out the trunk because why? Because you aren't running a fuel cell..

This isn't a scare tactic discussion -- I'm just saying that these are the things that not only can - but DO happen... I think about this stuff. I look around my car and make sure that I'm familiar with some of the scenarios I might be in. A collapsible column is the very next "speed part" going in the car.

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396

Incidents like this is why most of these "street cars" have no business being on the road course going the speeds they're going. The late model cars you have a fighting chance of being ok... the vintage cars... not so much. I guess we'll just wait until we injure someone severely or worse before we require roll cages, fire systems, and other proper safety equipment.

[SSLance]

My car is getting a fire system before it goes on a road course again. Already put in the roll bar, race seats, 5 point harnesses and HANS device.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by SSLance

My car is getting a fire system before it goes on a road course again. Already put in the roll bar, race seats, 5 point harnesses and HANS device.

And here's why!!! This guys brakes failed at Oregon Raceway Park... running down into the Valkyrie.... the car flies 100 feet... rolls and starts fire.