Not every race weekend goes perfectly
 

Saturday went well. I beat my son in 2 of the 3 races…

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In the first race on Sunday an idiot decided to pass me in the chicane leading onto the front straight. I held my line and gave him room in the exit but this closed the door for another faster car that was racing against the guy that passed me in the chicane… he hit me hard, caused me to spin at about 80mph, hit the wall, and screwed up my car pretty good. His car is worse.

I can’t upload the photos…

I was able to sew the bumper back together with zip ties and bodge in the head light, pound out the drivers door and tape and zip tie the rear bumper back on so I could run in the feature race.

This is exactly why I no longer bring my 911 to the track. It also proves that not only are miatas the best sports car ever, they are also the toughest sports car ever…

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I'm resisting the urge to post 'racing incident' photos. :)

For sure, things happen quickly on the track...

Why cant you upload your photos? If you took them, they belong to you. Never understood that.

Glad you are OK, and the car is relatively OK (OK enough for you to patch up enough and run again).

"It also proves that not only are miatas the best sports car ever, they are also the toughest sports car ever…"
ROFLMAO! Yes, clearly. I hear F1 is thinking of switching...

Like at the start when the pack is tight. What lap was this incident? And was a car being lapped? That was another time that I got a little nervous in enduro karting. FYI, it was always me being lapped given the races were an hour long. There were pros out there even though the racing was for trophies only. Of course I didn't have factory money or facility.

I suspect some spend more money in the Miata class than should be reasonable. That's racing.

They run SM as a separate start in the same field as the GT and IT cars. This was the last lap and I was being lapped by 2 cars with triple my horsepower.

On the F1 front, apparently Ferrari is the hold out on a compete switch to SM cars for the 2026 season. SmileWavy

I've heard some stories about the spec miata engine builds. I don't remember the specifics, but I think the stories that I've heard may have included guys buying 10 engines to use the one that dynoed the best. Or spending tons of cash having a motor rebuild to the stock, as required, specs, but balanced and blueprinted to ensure max power. I don't know the truth, but I know that when competition is involved, and when there are folks that are uber competitive, anything that can be done to get an edge up will be done.

Wow, I thought that SM always ran alone (no idea why I thought that, but I did).

Damn Italians!
:D

They probably want to use this body kit
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/c...g?format=1500w
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/c...g?format=1500w

They could always use a fiata
https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/72...ebp&width=1200

Oh man! When I had my NA, I seriously considered that body kit. (I really didn't care for pop up headlights. ) One trouble was, the kit and shipping was several times what I paid for the car.
Unclebilly, Glad you managed to patch her back together and have more fun. How are you feeling after being shunted into the wall?

That'l buff right out...

(had to say it.)

Seriously? Glad you are ok. Racecars are a great way to drive like a badass and see what happens when physics finally win. Which makes you a better / safer / saner driver.

I envy you and your son. Even with a crunch you are having a great time.

Good to hear you’re ok and got the car back together!

This was the repair when I went into the tire wall at T4 at VIR, when the brakes were not working right*. Once I got on the wet grass, I got it turned, just enough to tap the right front.

Lots of help, rivets, aluminum, and duct tape to get it back on track. And this was a DE!

A new fender, air dam, valence oil cooler and paint got it looking like new later.

*The brake bias valve was set wrong and no front brakes but got it working.

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On an equality impressive note: there was a soap box derby race in Kenosha Wisconsin just last week.

How impressive was your soapy entry heading down that hill, Charmin?

I'm pleased you are OK Billy.

At Reunion had a Watts links bracket fail. Fixed it came in 4th in the GTO final.
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If they would allow a LOT of engine and chassis development, I think that's a go.

Got a Subaru bumper stuck in my door. He spun in front of me and came across the track and hit me when I was going 100+. There was no where for me to go. Yes, that's a truck. We raced it for a few years and then got an E36...

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And then in the BMW, one of our drivers learned the drawbacks of early apexing:

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Almost every week for 4 summers I had to bang metal to get her ready for the following Saturday night. I miss the actual racing but don't miss the pressure of fixing the car weekly to stay in the hunt for the points lead.

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Woke up in the ER.. got released late that night for a long ride home.
Had a issue with the master cylinder, had to double pump and ran out of time/focus. :D
Changed out the entire front brake system. I did not want to do that again.

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You never know what’s going to happen in a race.
A late safety car surprises the GTP/GTO leaders on the blind side of the front straight.
Several race cars are required to swerve off track to avoid the safety car's decision.
Unfortunately the GTO leader Roush Capri must retire with minor damage.

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