Cupcar#12

All,
This is more of a "Watch yourself out there" post than anything else - Be Safe - And invest in safety gear first!!!!

This Sat I was at the PCA DE at PRI (Seattle), a track I have driven quite a bit. Well long story short I put the car off into a Dirt retaining wall pretty hard.
Here's what happened
- In the first sesson the car was loose which I suspected was tire pressure and the fact that the tires were used in the One Lap & heat cycled to death. So I adjusted the tire pressure to bring them to 36/39 hot which is my normal running pressure - I was also running W/O my 3.8 rear wing which really lessened the rear down force.
- On the 3rd lap (2nd run) exiting Turn 6 going in to turn 7 the car stepped out under throttle at the Dip which normally slightly unsettles the car - you have to stay in the throttle - OK - this happens - apply a little correction and you will correct it, without upsetting the car
- At this point on the track the pavement changes from realitively rough to smooth and really grippy. I was correcting for what I thought was perhaps a 15-20% oversteer situation (I was going in Way to hot, which was my 1st mistake)
- The Tire hooked Up!!! and I had Way too much Steering input in (2nd mistake) - at this point I am pointed at the dirt berm under throttle with a car that is fully hooked up and accelerating.
-Both Feet in - full ABS - Turn left- turn left turn left - not enough.....****, ****, ****
- The car impacted the berm pretty had - not sure how fast i was going - It rose up on the side of the berm (the steer left input was still in) and planted at a 35% degree angle sideway on the berm. Not pretty, Not fun, Not good, Not HURT.
I stayed in the car (belted in) until the ambulance arrived - freaked out that it was going to roll over. The ambulance braced the car and I crawled out throught the window and was checked out.
I escaped with no serious injuries thanks to the safety gear I had in the car (Full cage, Seats, 5pt's).
The moral of this story - if you are getting in over your head (like i was, overconfident) slow down - exit the track and re-enter. & Buy the best safety gear you can afford.

horst

Glad you were not hurt. Damage to the car?

Cupcar#12

The right Front is pretty messed up - the wheels turn but the front pan and right front wing area are crushed. No damage to the roof that i could see at the shop. the right door was shoved back into the rear fender a little - which looks like a hopefully minor issue (don't know yet) & the ambulance divoted the rear fender when it braced the car. I did alot of damage to the front but the rear is unmarked (no engine damage, rear suspension, etc).
We can rebuild - I need to buy a dedicated Track car.
i'll post some pictures up later today or tomorrow.

RSAErick

Rob,
My most sincere condolances. The sight of your beautiful Cup car planted nearly vertical on that dirt wall, in a cloud of dust, as I came up the hill to turn 7 was disturbing to say the least. I can't imagine what you must have been going through your head. Personally, I was instantly in a state of shock. It didn't seem real.

But I'd like to add some information...

First of all, we were driving in the hottest day of the year - 93F. The result was variable track conditions, with greasy areas mixed in with grippy. In addtion, the dip you refer to in Turn 7 is EXTREMELY unsettling to the car at speed, and we're not talking about a 2nd gear turn here - I'm going to 4th just before turn-in. Add the fact that there is NO run-off area (and I mean NONE), and you get a hairy corner to say the least.

The rest of us drivers spent the day grieving together. We feel your pain. Well, maybe not ALL of your pain. I am counting on a full recovery and look forward to your return.

If there is ANYTHING that I can do to help with the repairs, neighbor, my efforts are available.

Erick

clubrcr

Rob:

Sorry to hear about your accident. Isn't that the case though, you do the Lap of America, drive on several tracks you've never driven and keep the car intact. You go to familiar surroundings and wow, we all get a little too comfortable.

It sounds like your prides is the worst thing hurt. I'm glad you're Ok.

Cupcar#12

Erick & Jim- Thank both you a Ton.... & Erick i just might take you up on your offer. There is the 04 One Lap to think about!.

I'm a bit sore today but everything else Bio wise checks out.

My pride is definitly wounded...But then i accepted the risks that are inherent at a DE or other track event. I'm extremly glad there was no one else involved.

I'll be going to look at the car on monday (at Cascade Autosport) and start assesing my options. I'll be back on track soon, but soon might be realitive at this point, depends on the car.
But this incident definitly has me looking at alternatives to the cup car. I am thinking of a dedicated track car at this point. Something a little less rare & one that i won't cry over, like i am now. This actually just accelerates my orignal plan to move into a dedicated track car. But finances will be the judge i guess, since my first priority is going to be fixing the cup.

Jack667

Rob -
Good Luck!
I went through a similar experience over the past year. Crashed my 964 at a familiar track - had been over-cooking it. Rebuilt it and bought a dedicated track car - a 944.
I'm glad to hear thay you're unhurt, and I'm glad that you'll get back into it.

Cupcar#12

Photos -
Please wear a Neck collar or a HANS Device and have the proper safety gear.
I was lucky.....
<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/CUP03020.jpg" alt=" - " />

<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/CUP03021.jpg" alt=" - " />

<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/CUP03024.jpg" alt=" - " />

jonfkaminsky

Rob - My condolences. I see that huge fir about 6 feet in front of you through the fence and I guess we can be glad you didn't push on through the fence and hit that. I hope for a speedy recovery for the both of you.

Jeff Curtis

Oh MY! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

My condolences as well, it looks fixable but will take some "finessing" to make it all good again.

I had the same idea as yours, ever since I buckled up my little Grand Prix White bucket of joy...get a dedicated track car that is both faster and CHEAPER.

I think I did well:

<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/WSRautocross.jpg" alt=" - " />

Since fixing my baby, I've had it at TWO track events, and was a bit "gunshy"...but got over it after I got into the swing of things...then one of these cars BLEW MY DOORS OFF and chased down a BRAND NEW GT3 Cup Car...it was amazing.

I had to have one!

A friend and I invested a few weeks ago in one, a Toyota World Sports Racer...185HP, 1340lbs and low maintenance - kinda cool looking too? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

I have yet to get it on the track but took it to a local autocross yesterday where it performed very well...in the rain!

SO, I plan on keeping the track use limited in my 964 and get more seat time in this little rocket that cost us 12K, yes, 12K.

It has a modified Toyota MR2 1.6L engine, MR2 transmission all bolted into a FULL fabricated formula-type chassis, made by SVC in California.

These cars were about 50K when new and the series started back in the late 90s...since then the series (World Sports Racer) has died and you can get these rockets for a song when compared to new.

I went through OVER 8K worth of tires and brake pads last year...this car won't cost us even 2K in consumables this year...so I'm sold.

Rob, I'm sorry it happened, it sucks...there's just no other way to say it. You'll recover, so will the Cup Car...keep it in good order, limit it's track use and find a more reasonable solution like you're considering already.

joey bagadonuts

Rob,

Thanks for the replay. Some friends and I have had a few non-contact spins ourselves and it never ceases to amaze me how well we can remember all the details leading up to the event. The whole thing is happening so fast, yet it's like slow motion when you're there.

Yup, this is a good reminder that what we're doing is very dangerous and how easily things can get away from you. Thanks for sharing and glad to hear you're fine.

Cupcar#12

I keep going over it in my head and it's scary how much you can remember. That corner is really fast on the racing line, just into 4th gear right before apex so 4-5K rpm in 4th. Which is why i carried in to the breaking zone for 8 (those are the cones you see. the scaries thing is that there was a tree not 2 feet in front of the car when it came to rest.
My insurance policy specifically does not cover any sort of track event. So I will be looking at specific track insurance for the future.

Please Be Careful out there.

Ragin' Bajan

Rob--glad to hear you're ok. I was two cars behind you, just exiting 6 and heading towards scary Mr 7. The turn workers had a yellow out but was grabbing for a red. I must say it was a chilling moment seeing you hanging motionless from your harness. It certainly was a sobering event.

Erick--ah, you must have been the blue blur that kept whizzing by me!

alan911sc

Glad your OK, but the fact the door is pushed back into the rear quarter is an indication the tub bent. Had a similar mess when my SC was totaled. It didn't look bad, the car absorbed the energy as designed but as a result the tub bent. Now the insurance company owns the car.

Cupcar#12

That is what i am worried about - i don't know if you can see it but the windshield frame at the A-piller is bent as well - not much but still bent. I am beginning to think it's tub'd
which means a body in white - and switch it over - or part it out.
Not having a good day about now.