Expensive Autocross Incident

[mm86911]

Here's a good one. . . local PCA autocross today. Tight course but well mapped out.

Rebuilt entire suspension (bushings, sifff bars, etc.) over the holidays and looking forward to experiencing the handling through the cones (was great at Road Atlanta in January).

Arrived early to practice skid pad, braking and slalom (in that order). Final practice run on the slalom, good speed and great line. . . until the second to last cone! A touch too much throttle, tall wagged, compensated, came back then out again. Knew it was gone so both feet in. Well there's this 5" curb on my right at the edge of the sidewalk. Bounced over the edge of the curb then back down - I knew it was not good as I could feel it scrape the pan.

Damage as follows:

1. Front RH Fuch (mint 16x7) wasted - tire missing chunk
2. Small scratch on RH rear Fuch (16x9)
3. Two good sized dents in the pan protecting the rack and fuel pump
4. Scrape on fuel tank (luckily just cosmetic)
AND
5. Front RH control arm wasted (hit curb on front edge at ball joint)

Limped home - steering off center and car tracking to the right. Up on jack stands for further inspection. The spindle looks OK but probaly won't know for sure until on an alignment rack.

No personal injuries except bruised ego. Everyone at the event, especially the club organizers, were very helpful. Guess I know what I'll be doing next weekend.

[Reg]

Ouch Mike. Sorry to hear.

Just remember you were having fun, and will be having more fun once you are all set and together again.


Could have always been worse.

[epbrown]

Also sorry about your car, but why was the course set up near a curb? It sounds like car damage waiting to happen!


Emanuel

[Doug E]

Yikes - sorry to hear the bad news.

I know this probably doesn't help, but at least you were OK and could drive the car home.

[rattlsnak]

Mike,.. OUCH. I got there late and met up with RayB and he told me what happened. I just missed it! I know your heart rate went up!,.. I slid off the track at Road Atlanta in turn one going over 100 MPH several years ago,(no damage) but trust me, getting out of control in a parking lot is WAY easier on the heart! Put pride aside, learn from your mistake and I'll see you at the next one.

[stormcrow]

Mike

Sorry to hear about your incident. Stopped by there looking for you about 2:45 or so. Guess I missed you. Watched the lower track event which looked like it was a better run - wide open.

Anyway, I hope it doesn't run into to much $$.

Steve

[89911]

From a similar accident, my brother has one 16x7 for sale. It is completely polished. Let me know if interested.

[mm86911]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. . . after assessing the damage looks like I need a new front LH A-arm plus ball joint and 16x7 Fuch (anodized w/black center). Took a chunk out of the tire so looks like the Khumos are on the short list.

89911 - thanks for the referral on the wheel but looking for anodized rim with black center to match the other 3 mint wheels (yeah, I'm running mint wheels for track events - LOL).

Rattlsnak - would rather run off turn 1 at Road Atlanta in the dirt than hit a curb - spoiler plowing dirt is easier fix (needs replaced anyway). Hope to get it together with better tires for the 4/13 Panoz Track Day there.

Anobody have any leads please let me know. Someone today mentioned that Porsche factory released original Fuchs last year and the 16x7s were under $200. I'll be on the phone tomorrow searching for parts.

[Wayne 962]

All these suspension parts are easy to replace - heck we have everything except the new Fuchs. Try Wheel Enhancement for that - they have just about everything...

-Wayne

[Ray B]

Mike, Sorry about the incident. I didn't even know about it until I was walking the course and saw the skidmarks into the curb. I'm glad the damage was limited to the front end although it's a severe bite in the a$$ any was you slice it. Looking forward to seeing you at the next event. Ray

[rattlsnak]

>>>Rattlsnak - would rather run off turn 1 at Road Atlanta in the dirt than hit a curb - spoiler plowing dirt is easier fix (needs replaced anyway). Hope to get it together with better tires for the 4/13 Panoz Track Day there.<<<<


This was when there was a pedestrian bridge and big cement barriers and no gravel or runoff in turn one!! The corner worker(who hid behind the wall), said he could not have fit his hand between the wall and the body of my car as I slid by sideways at 100 MPH!

[adamnitti]

mike-

sorry again about your little incident. man, when i saw your car hop in the distance toward those bricks my heart stopped!!! i'm glad it wasn't worse, but i know that doesn't make you feel any better about it. your car is sweet. looking forward to seeing you again at the next event with everything all fixed up and ready to go!

let me know if i can come over and help you with anything on your car-