VARA Fontana- early end to the weekend.

[jplavanjr]

Well...

Setting up on the inside of a 90 degree right hander to pass a slower car, he moves off the racing line (towards me to the right) to allow another car room to try to make a stupid pass around both of us on the outside of a turn which is only one car wide. I had already set up on the inside (right) when the first car checked his mirrors and he only saw the other car to his left coming fast. Instead of maintaining his normal line through that corner which would have resulted in me passing him safely on the inside under braking, he moves right to allow the outside car room for his outside move. I then have to go right and onto the grass to avoid him, and now have no traction to slow down for the right turn. He continues through the turn and I hit him as I'm coming over the curbing which catches my rear wheel and flips me up on top of him, He moves away, I hit the asphalt upside down which flips me up and over again, ending up on my side (drivers) sliding to a stop.

Good news: All safety gear worked perfectly and I'm not hurt at all.

Bad news:







JP

[italcarguy]

JP,
That totally sux, but the important part is everyone is ok. When I came around that corner, I couldn't believe what I saw. I saw smoke from the distance and everything had just stopped when I came up to that corner. I always have a good time racing with you and your family. Hope to see you out there soon again.

[skinnerd]

ugh..... that is really bad
sorry for such carnage to your car
importantly, you are OK
but that doesn't diminish the frustration (or even anger) you have to the driver that didn't see you and forced you into the grass
is your car repairable, or is it a "write-off" ?
it's such a beautiful car..... a real shame
this is something I fear, but try not to think about
experiences like yours, bring me back to this harsh reality

hope it all works out for you in the end
-Doug

[Az911]

JP it sounds like the other guy just made a stupid decision but it ended up costing you your car. I would be still be pissed if this happned to me.

Hopefully you can find anther car to build soon.

[jplavanjr]

Thanks guys.

I don't think this car's a write-off. The cage looks great and I have it tied into the suspension pickup points front and rear so I'm hoping that saved the tub.

I'll get it all apart, put it on a rack and see what need to be done. I have a rusty old '66 tub with a good roof and qtr panels that I can cut off and put on this car so hopefully it's just some new fiberglass bumpers, door, fender, megaphone, trailing arm and some other suspension parts, and paint. We'll see.

[ErVikingo]

Sorry to see this and happy to hear you rOK. This s_cks but it happens. In racing, decisions (good or bad) are made in split seconds.

You were hit with the sharp end of the stick. As a matter of curiosity, what did the other guy tell you afterwards?

[CHILI]

That blows! I love watching VARA races, but there's always that feeling in the gut, that something like that might happen. Even if the driver is ok, I would hate to see a classic destroyed in front of my eyes. Even non-P-cars! You guys have some serious regulations for safety equipment (Hans device, etc). Looks like it paid off for you. Keep us posted as you find out more of the condition of that beauty.

[Plavan]

JP- Let Mark Scott and I know when to come down to help you start ripping the thing apart. I figure your car is about a 3 weekend, 36 beer project, .
Again- Glad you were OK. There was nothing like coming around a corner and seeing a family member and his race car resting vertical on the track after a wreck. I'm glad you gave us the "thumbs up"....even when your sideways hanging from your belts with the windshield blown out.

Let get started rebuilding it.

[ted]

JP, very sorry for your car, good news to hear you were unhurt.
I've got a few weekends free, I'd be happy to spend some time helping wrench on your ride. I'll bring the beer.
Will the rules allow for a carbon fiber roof?
best regards,
mg

[smestas]

There are a few images of the other car involved in the accident here http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?p=48351

[Laura]

AAAAhhhh, So you were the car on it's side. I could see the emergency trucks from the grandstands by the hairpin, heard the car was red, but not much info on what happened or the driver's involved. Sorry about the unfortunate mishap.

But I did hear the Plavan crowd did pretty well in the awards and gift area on Sunday. Congrats!!

[Jack Olsen]

Originally posted by jplavanjr
Good news: All safety gear worked perfectly and I'm not hurt at all.

It sucks to break a car, but avoiding long-term health/injury issues is a much bigger deal.

Glad to hear that you're okay. The car looks fixable, to me.

[Vintage911Racer]

JP.

Again, sorry for the carnage. Like Chad said, let us know when you are ready to tear it apart. I will donate all my fiberglass parts to the cause, along with my headers and megaphones and my time.

We will get you back on the track shortly.

[John Rogers]

Whoa, I know just the corner you are talking about! I am glad to hear you are okay and the car looks like it will be fixable. If the body shops quote you a large amount, take it to Garage Los Panchos in Tijuana and they'll make it look better than new. Good luck

[lowyder993s]

Man I'm was so sorry to hear about that. You guys were tearing it up. I wanted to go shoot some video of your races, but I was on grid, going out next. Those 2 litres sound like a pack of angry hornets going into T1 from the hot pits. I saw you come by my pit, sorry we couldn't say hi. There was alot of carnage this w/e. We had a vette in our race that spun at least 3 times on my in-car video. Everytime he pulled into the infield, it looked like a forest fire, there was so much white smoke.
I couldn't believe they didn't meatball him...looked like a brake bias problem. 'Nother car went into the tire wall...Finished 22 of 55 car field 3rd in class.

[911]

JP,

Sorry to see that your terrific looking vintage car was damaged. But, very glad to see that you were okay.

Rich

[Vintage911Racer]

Here are a few VIDEOS from the weekend.

More to come later in the week.

Saturday Start

Out braking Alfa

2.0L no match for 2.5L Power


Enjoy.

[Kevin From Cali]

Oh man that is so sad to see JP, im glad you are ok, hope to see you out there soon

[}{arlequin]

My sentiments run along everyone elses. On the other hand, the alignment still looks ok... remarkable

[Vintage911Racer]

JP, Dont forget to call Rod and get Jims phone number so you can have him ship my headers and megaphones to you instead of me.

We will get you up and running soon.