windshield caved in doing 110
 

SCCA Time trial my lexan windshield caved in on me. Gets your attention.

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Whoa

At 24 seconds in the video - did you have it sealed properly? I'm glad it didn't lead to disaster.

Holy cr@p!! Bet that got your attention!

Perhaps this may tell you why Porsche uses a standard glass windshield (or even a thin glass version).
I have been 220+ mph twice a lap for 12 and 24 hours (935K3) and never a failure.

Let’s see:
Weight savings from a Lexan windshield – a few milliseconds per lap.
Time spent replacing Lexan windshield – down several laps.
Time gained from seeing where you are going (at only 110 mph) – priceless.
Enough said.

Best,
Grady

Grady,

All that needs to be done is to use the appropriate thickness (read 1/4") polycarbonate windshield. That thing looked way too thin.

Scott

Scott,

I guess above I was being a bit scurrilous.

My point should have been that the best vision possible makes for the fastest lap times.
I’m probably a ‘poster boy’ for vision vs. lap times.
With my former myopia, I worked hard for the best vision possible while racing (in the ‘60s, ‘70s & ‘80s).
Only recently with cornea implants have I realized how much better vision I could have had and how much faster (and safer) I could have driven.
Sorta the difference between a 935 brute and a 997Cup.

So … my recommendation is to have the best vision possible – a few grams of weight be damned.

Best,
Grady

One of the fast guys around here couldn't stand the distortion caused by the Lexan windshield flexing at speed.

Went back to glass.

I am pretty sure the issue on this was of my own doing. I used a new window seal and forgot to put a cord in to serve as a lock. Normally there is a metal lock piece "trim" that helps lock the window in. A piece of rubber cord normally used to hold window screen in will work as well. I forgot that step. The winshield didn't cave in as much as the rubber turned in because it wasn't expanded and locked. That then allowed the lexan to flex in.

Whoa!

Finally, a pragmatic solution to our temperamental and poorly-functioning air conditioning systems.

Wow thats crazy. Good thing you kept cool. Glad it worked out for you and nothing major happened.

After replacing 2 glass windshields in two years I switched to lexan, no problums if its installed correctly and cleaned properly

Lucky it did not back into your face, or throat area...
at 110 mph.

Search youTube for "miata crash"

Mid way through the video a guy loses his steering wheel.

Aside from this and that incident, you guys amaze me with your composure when things go wrong. I might have jumped out ;-)

I've got a video of a tire failure on the banking at Daytona - doing about 160 in a GT3 Cup. The car spins around and the windshield blows out - it is like a bomb going off. Not sure if my website will stream it but here is.

http://petry.org/markp/DaytonaGT3RS.wmv

Not something I'd like to have happen to me. Might need a new driver's seat as well.

Did you have any clips installed? I have 6 aluminum clips that prevent this kind of blow out.

Did you ever think of a safety issue there?

Amen to that.