Nevada Open Road Challenge (ORR)
05-21-2009, 11:47 AM
#31
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Since Bill posted a photo of the Cup Car I will post a few of mine. This is just after the incident. This kind of accident is rare and is not typical of the results of racing ORR. Yes it is dangerous as all racing is, but if proper care is taken and you are not trying to set records it is really quite safe given the speeds we can travel at. I poked my head into the cabin and the cage did its job very well as testiment to the driver getting out of the car and walking away bruised but basically unhurt.
05-21-2009, 02:42 PM
#33
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Now, as Tim said, this is rare, and in this case, almost certainly totally avoidable if the debris situation had been handled differently by the race personnel. The driver who created the debris and continued on to finish the race was disqualified. I hope the whole situation will be investigated by the race directors and more corrective actions will be taken so this is not allowed to ever happen again.
As for me, the 145 to 150 classes are a whole lot of fun and not any riskier that buzzing around Laguna or Thunderhill like you do. After George and I found we were averaging 152 late in the race, which was above target, we slowed down to below 150 and bored ourselves to tears, so we took it back up for a while. I wish there were a 155 class, as it would be just about the perfect pace for my car. If I can get my car tuned for more power and stiffen the suspension, I'd like to try 160 but that requires a full rollcage and fuel cell and that is not going to happen to my daily driver.
As for me, the 145 to 150 classes are a whole lot of fun and not any riskier that buzzing around Laguna or Thunderhill like you do. After George and I found we were averaging 152 late in the race, which was above target, we slowed down to below 150 and bored ourselves to tears, so we took it back up for a while. I wish there were a 155 class, as it would be just about the perfect pace for my car. If I can get my car tuned for more power and stiffen the suspension, I'd like to try 160 but that requires a full rollcage and fuel cell and that is not going to happen to my daily driver.
05-21-2009, 02:54 PM
#34
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I do agree that all racing is dangerous. but, 200mph seems kind of nuts if sustained for long stretches. I was just looking at all those hills that would be like ski jumps if a tire blew. at least at laguna, walls and sand surround you so it is rare that a mechanical ends up with any huge damage.
However, I would be the first to sign up for a nor cal to so cal run on highway 5 if we could go 150mph the entire way!
However, at tracks like Sears, even last season we saw a transam car get destroyed at turn 10, just for a minor mistake. however, speeds were only 110 at the exit, but the damage looks like the cup car shown here by Tim. Ouch!!
mk
However, I would be the first to sign up for a nor cal to so cal run on highway 5 if we could go 150mph the entire way!
However, at tracks like Sears, even last season we saw a transam car get destroyed at turn 10, just for a minor mistake. however, speeds were only 110 at the exit, but the damage looks like the cup car shown here by Tim. Ouch!!
mk
Now, as Tim said, this is rare, and in this case, almost certainly totally avoidable if the debris situation had been handled differently by the race personnel. The driver who created the debris and continued on to finish the race was disqualified. I hope the whole situation will be investigated by the race directors and more corrective actions will be taken so this is not allowed to ever happen again.
As for me, the 145 to 150 classes are a whole lot of fun and not any riskier that buzzing around Laguna or Thunderhill like you do. After George and I found we were averaging 152 late in the race, which was above target, we slowed down to below 150 and bored ourselves to tears, so we took it back up for a while. I wish there were a 155 class, as it would be just about the perfect pace for my car. If I can get my car tuned for more power and stiffen the suspension, I'd like to try 160 but that requires a full rollcage and fuel cell and that is not going to happen to my daily driver.
As for me, the 145 to 150 classes are a whole lot of fun and not any riskier that buzzing around Laguna or Thunderhill like you do. After George and I found we were averaging 152 late in the race, which was above target, we slowed down to below 150 and bored ourselves to tears, so we took it back up for a while. I wish there were a 155 class, as it would be just about the perfect pace for my car. If I can get my car tuned for more power and stiffen the suspension, I'd like to try 160 but that requires a full rollcage and fuel cell and that is not going to happen to my daily driver.
05-21-2009, 04:59 PM
#36
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Safety is such a relative term..... However I am all for strict safety regulations....its one of those things that cost money and you never really use until your life is on the line.... I remember thinking the cage in the beast was massive .....but I was totally wrong....that is one place adding weight to the car is essential!! The cage in the widow is very beefy as well.... so its 80lbs heavier than a "limit" cage...I'll drop the 80lbs somewhere else....
05-22-2009, 01:56 PM
#37
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Very true, though there is nothing wrong with taking a good design and asking for a step up in tubing strength. Some aftermarket roll bars had mounting flanges that overlapped the holes in the rear seat footwell area. A full cage should be designed much more carefully.
!!!!!
05-23-2009, 04:41 PM
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05-23-2009, 05:06 PM
#43
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No problem Dave, it is actually George's post but it was getting away from how much fun ORR is. There are hundreds of people running in the stock classes with the required safety equipment who have never had an issue on the course. We are so lucky to have this venue available to us in the West. If it is not someone's cup of tea so be it but I think our cars beg for this kind of driving.
05-23-2009, 05:54 PM
#45
Racer
Just wanted thank Tim & Cheryl, Bill, George and my navigator Eric for the great weekend. I arrived latter than expected on Thursday being pulled over in Reno for what is known as having a race trailer being towed by your personal pick up? All was well and there was no citation as I had no sponsorship decals on my car, from what I'm told it can be quite an expensive ticket...
After that it was clear sailing to Ely, about 150 miles to go I was keeping a close eye for Bill's 928 to be overtaking me. Just past Eureka I spotted the distinct silhouette of a 928 moving up on me fast....... a quick wave from George & Bill and I was once again alone on the loneliest road in America
A little in car video from our run, will be back in September running in the 150 class. Congratulation's to George on qualifying for Super Sport - 160mph + class in September
We ran the 1 mile shootout on Saturday, elevation is 6,300ft so we were not the fastest car but still we had a great time. Notice he is waving us to the start line with a gun in his hand, I love Nevada
Eric and I stopped at the finish line on Friday, we were waiting on Tim and Cheryl who seemed to have some explaining to do
teaser photo attached
After that it was clear sailing to Ely, about 150 miles to go I was keeping a close eye for Bill's 928 to be overtaking me. Just past Eureka I spotted the distinct silhouette of a 928 moving up on me fast....... a quick wave from George & Bill and I was once again alone on the loneliest road in America
A little in car video from our run, will be back in September running in the 150 class. Congratulation's to George on qualifying for Super Sport - 160mph + class in September
We ran the 1 mile shootout on Saturday, elevation is 6,300ft so we were not the fastest car but still we had a great time. Notice he is waving us to the start line with a gun in his hand, I love Nevada
Eric and I stopped at the finish line on Friday, we were waiting on Tim and Cheryl who seemed to have some explaining to do
teaser photo attached
Last edited by edco; 02-07-2013 at 02:07 AM.