How common are crashes at the track?
10-31-2014, 04:07 AM
#46
Tru dat!
I must be a fast learner because it only took me 5 years to crash once I started DE with PCA & POC! Early apex turn 2 at Riverside International (long gone!). Luckily it was only a '72 2.0 914, which was totaled as a result. Survived unscathed Watkins Glen, LimeRock, Pocono, Bridgehampton (Long Island) and Willow Springs. All in the fabulous 80's.
Re: How common are crashes at the track? Very common is the answer. But as our old mayor* used to say: 'you've gotta ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?"
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
*In the movie 'Dirty Harry'
.
10-31-2014, 04:56 AM
#48
I'm not a track-day junkie by a long shot, but still have done 50 or so in my life. The average of 1 observed accident per day seems accurate enough. Statistically, if you've got 50 cars or so on each day, my time is rapidly approaching... even though I've never been off with all 4.
However, not due to the above (flawed) statistic, I've just bought a race-car (Toyota GT 86) and will participate in the 2014 - 2015 Cup season as Yas Marina Circuit. If I write off the 86, I couldn't be bothered in the slightest. If I would the same with the Speciale, which I'm tracking now, I would be fine financially, but very, very pissed off with myself.
This gave me a reason to finally order proper race-gear, create my own 'race team' (regardless how amateurish we'll be) and work to get my International FIA race license so I can tick off my bucket-list item of participating in the 24h of Dubai with a group of friends, once I'm ready (if ever).
However, not due to the above (flawed) statistic, I've just bought a race-car (Toyota GT 86) and will participate in the 2014 - 2015 Cup season as Yas Marina Circuit. If I write off the 86, I couldn't be bothered in the slightest. If I would the same with the Speciale, which I'm tracking now, I would be fine financially, but very, very pissed off with myself.
This gave me a reason to finally order proper race-gear, create my own 'race team' (regardless how amateurish we'll be) and work to get my International FIA race license so I can tick off my bucket-list item of participating in the 24h of Dubai with a group of friends, once I'm ready (if ever).
10-31-2014, 06:33 AM
#51
Nordschleife Master
10-31-2014, 11:10 AM
#52
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I pit out when things get crowded - let them pass, create space and go back out. I do what I can to stay on my own or be with like minded drivers. I'm not a track hero, never will be. Just like to push the car a bit and stay safe, recognizing there are significant risks in this hobby of ours.
10-31-2014, 11:16 AM
#53
Drifting
I pit out when things get crowded - let them pass, create space and go back out. I do what I can to stay on my own or be with like minded drivers. I'm not a track hero, never will be. Just like to push the car a bit and stay safe, recognizing there are significant risks in this hobby of ours.
10-31-2014, 11:30 AM
#55
So far what I've seen is mostly is due to mechanical failure (i.e. master cylinder failure, boiled brake fluid, coolant failure, etc.). However, I do agree that most incidents happen in advanced run groups and last sessions of the day.
10-31-2014, 12:00 PM
#57
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- Higher incident rates tend to be towards beginning and end of the season, and beginning and end of events.
- Beginning of events especially for advanced drivers, end of events especially for less experienced drivers.
- More incidents, and higher severity, among advanced drivers in general.
Among mechanicals, in addition to brake issues, I've seen quite a few tire failures over the past year, involving various kinds of tires including slicks, and Hoosier R6 seemed to have a somewhat higher failure rate than other tires. As cars get tired towards end of season, less typical mechanicals also tend to develop, such as broken suspension components.
In my PCA region, in addition to pre-event shop tech and morning grid tech, we're advising careful self-tech of the car before and after each session, including looking under the car. For those who don't know how to tech, get help and learn. Peer tech is also advisable (required in some circumstances), along with getting second opinions whenever something looks questionable. And if something doesn't seem right during a session, come in immediately and check the car - doing that has saved me and others from big trouble on many occasions.
10-31-2014, 12:08 PM
#58
Rennlist Member
Sometimes it is first thing as well - tires too cold etc. On my second time ever on track about 8 or 9 years ago, the instructors all had a session before the day started. All of us students were watching track side, when one of the instructors got his brand new Audi S4 slightly off track - just two wheels. He over corrected and went sideways off the other side, rolling about 5 times before coming to a stop right side up. Needless to say, car was totaled, but fortunately driver was safe.
That right there was a pretty big wake up call for everyone that day. Nothing like seeing an accident like that at 8:30 am.
That right there was a pretty big wake up call for everyone that day. Nothing like seeing an accident like that at 8:30 am.
10-31-2014, 12:19 PM
#59
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Sometimes it is first thing as well - tires too cold etc. On my second time ever on track about 8 or 9 years ago, the instructors all had a session before the day started. All of us students were watching track side, when one of the instructors got his brand new Audi S4 slightly off track - just two wheels. He over corrected and went sideways off the other side, rolling about 5 times before coming to a stop right side up. Needless to say, car was totaled, but fortunately driver was safe.
That right there was a pretty big wake up call for everyone that day. Nothing like seeing an accident like that at 8:30 am.
That right there was a pretty big wake up call for everyone that day. Nothing like seeing an accident like that at 8:30 am.
Us mere DE and club racing guys need to remember that even the best pros crash, and not infrequently. $hit hitting the fan doesn't always happen to the other guy, it can happen to any of us, though risks can be mitigated through monitoring and managing our mental and physical states, building pace incrementally, getting good instruction/coaching, diligent car tech, maximizing safety equipment compatible with the use of the car, learning risk profiles of tracks and characteristics of runoff areas, and mentally rehearsing how to handle the various 'emergency' scenarios which can develop on track.
I'm convinced that risks can greatly be reduced by these measures, without overly compromising fun and learning.
10-31-2014, 12:49 PM
#60
You can be the most conservative, safest driver on the planet and if someone drops oil or coolant in front of you, you are just along for the ride. So yes, there are things you can do to reduce the risk, but it cannot be eliminated.