Bad day at the Track, Porsche totaled

[MMARSH]

At Willow springs Yesterday. Luckily it wasnt mine. A BMW coupe also got written off as well.


The first was a 993TT that lost a rear drivers side tire going into turn two, rolled over and landed on its lid. No roll bar or cage, the passenger side A-pillar was severly altered. Most importantly no injuries. The instructor got minor glass cuts on his fingers but he actually continued instructing throughout the day. The guy driving the TT was not the owner of the car. It belonged to his boss.

The second car was a M Coupe. Driver lost it in turn 9 and slammed driverside smack into the the pit wall entrance."T" His car being the horizontal line on the "T" The impact sounded like a sonic boom. luckily the wall is padded with styrofoam or I know he would have been seriously injured if not killed. The driver who has done several events in the past said he would never do a track event again.

Me, well my car was damaged when I didnt have my ramps set up correctly and accidently ripped the splitter off my bumper when putting it back on the trailer. I guess thats what I get for towing it in the first place.

Seriously, Lets be careful out there. This track stuff is serious business.

[emcon5]

DOH!

[pwd72s]

Mike, that's a sad tale. Glad it wasn't you. Any thoughts on why a tire would let go? Pressure not right? Too used? Scary stuff, you're right. Sorry to hear of the splitter...knowing you, I'm betting a repair will be completed by the end of the week.

[cstreit]

Geez mike, don't DO that... I thought your car was totalled...

[MMARSH]

Paul, Me too. Not sure why the failure. they think maybe it had a bad valve stem. The car directly behind it saw the tire going down but couldnt do anything in time. It really is to bad it was a beautiful car. Polar Silver even.

The splitter, no big deal. those are considered consumables and I keep extras all ready to go.

[MRM]

I will never go on a track without buying track insurance.

[Jandrews]

I think Mike's message, and Jack's recent excursion, stand as a sobering reminder that track work is indeed serious business. I have done my share, and love every minute of it, but the more stories I hear like this make me wonder if it is all worth it.

Maybe it is because I have a one year old little boy that I am a little more aware than I used to be. In any case, be careful, and smart out there.


JA

[GDSOB]

The old axiom for wheel to wheel racing also applies here:

"Never race anything you can't afford to push off a cliff!"

[curtisaa]

Originally posted by garthdexter
The old axiom for wheel to wheel racing also applies here:

"Never race anything you can't afford to push off a cliff!"

Being an Aprilia rider, I hope your quip doesn't apply to US Ducati/Aprilia nuts...

[Jack Olsen]

The subject line scared me, Mike.

But your point is well made. If you can't afford to walk away from it as a crumpled ball of steel, then driving a car on a track involves a huge financial gamble. And as big and as ill-advised as that gamble might be, it's inconsequential compared to the risk of injury or death.

It's a little like the space shuttle. At first, we're intensely aware of all the risks. Then, things go well so consistently that we lull ourselves into a false sense of security about the whole endeavor. Driving on a track is dangerous. In fact, driving -- under any circumstances -- is probably the most dangerous voluntary activity any of us engage in.

[cary]

Originally posted by cstreit
Geez mike, don't DO that... I thought your car was totalled...

I'm with you Chris ............ We don't need another mishap.

[masraum]

Wow, sounds like a crappy day from one point of view, don't like to hear that kind of story no matter who's car it is.

Definitely got my attention, glad it wasn't your car.

[47silver]

my valve stem on the front drivers side cracked and tire went flat very quickly, luckily i was not on a highway. i checked the others and they seemed about the same type and age so time to get them all replaced along with the tires.. this is an overlooked device that vibrates from the motion of the wheel and on the long ones guess the air movement.

[MMARSH]

I'm very glad it wasn't me too, but wouldn't wish that on anybody. It actually kinda freaked me out a little and I was seriously considering putting my car away for the day. I'm totally prepared to push my current car off a cliff, thats why I built it, but if that happens, the second one wont be finished intil my kids finish college.(one is 2 and the other is 6 months )

Jacks analogy with the shuttle is spot on. You can go from hero to zero in the blink of an eye. I think everybody kinda eased up alittle after the second one.

[Eric Mckenna]

FINE, YOU GUYS CONVINCED ME TO NEVER GO TO THE TRACK.. THANKS!
HAHA JUST MESSING!!
LATER, ERIC

[MMARSH]

Originally posted by 47silver
my valve stem on the front drivers side cracked and tire went flat very quickly, luckily i was not on a highway. i checked the others and they seemed about the same type and age so time to get them all replaced along with the tires.. this is an overlooked device that vibrates from the motion of the wheel and on the long ones guess the air movement.

Thats why mine are metal.

[pbs911]

Very cruel Mike. I thought it was your car. One of my favorite moments was riding shotgun in your car at WSIR. Even though the tires weren't working it was a thrill of a lifetime at my first DE. I still hear your words "it will stick, it will stick" with your hand jestering to smash the throttle. I'll have to have you drive my car now and let me know if it still applies. I think it may have to be driven on the track a little differently.

I glad no one was injured. I wonder if the owner of the 993TT knew his employee took his car to the track? He may have walked away from the wreck but . . . Do you get unemployment for that?

[Embs]

Originally posted by JackOlsen
In fact, driving -- under any circumstances -- is probably the most dangerous voluntary activity any of us engage in.

Without question, every car or stationary object you pass, you could be three or four feet from serious injury or death.

But a horse could throw you, or in my case I could be walking down the sidewalk and trip, breaking an ankle.

Anything that is fun takes some risk.

[Dignan]

Originally posted by Embs
Anything that is fun takes some risk. [/B]

Ahmen!! brother!
I'd rather die doing the **** I love.. so all is well...
sroties like this would never make me not enjoy driving the car fast and tracking it..


Later,
Eric

[MMARSH]

Originally posted by pbs911
Very cruel Mike. I thought it was your car. One of my favorite moments was riding shotgun in your car at WSIR. Even though the tires weren't working it was a thrill of a lifetime at my first DE. I still hear your words "it will stick, it will stick" with your hand jestering to smash the throttle. I'll have to have you drive my car now and let me know if it still applies. I think it may have to be driven on the track a little differently.

I glad no one was injured. I wonder if the owner of the 993TT knew his employee took his car to the track? He may have walked away from the wreck but . . . Do you get unemployment for that?

Paul, looking forward to going out with you again. I'm sure the new ride is a blast. I had good tires on my car this time and if was sticking great. I think you would have enjoyed this ride even more

The owner of the 993tt was at the event, I gotta say and should of mentioned it in my original post that he was very cool. He realized it wasnt the employees fault and was glad that no one was hurt. He had two cars to the event and he and the employee continued the day in the other car. At the last event he also had two cars one of which was a Ferrari and he left the 993tt at home. Money wise, I dont think he lost any sleep over it last night.