As many of you know, I had a on track incident back in July of 2014. No injuries but the car was pretty banged up. This occured at Mont Tremblant at a DE event.

I have full memory of the incident except for the two or three seconds prior to the initial issue which was turning in very very early. I have in car video of the incident but PCA requests that videos not be posted and I will be honoring that request. Essentially I turned in very early, the car went to understeer, I never corrected by straightening the wheel an breaking. That is the portion I dont remember. I then entered the grass on the outside of turn 6, across to the pavement at turn 7, into the grass at turn 7 and then the tirewall and guard rail behind that tirewall. I scrubbed a lot of speed off but not enough. Grass is funny like that.

I shut the engine off about 2 seconds after the accident although there was only a very tiny pin ***** hole in the oil cooler up front. No harm was done to the engine, transmission or suspension components.

I waited in the car for EMS to get there then I got out. EMS checked me over and I was driven back to the paddock. I went inside to the tower to fill out the paperwork, assuming the track tow company would take care of my car and drop it somewhere for me. While I was filling out paperwork a friend came in and told me they were loading the car directly onto their trailer to get it home for me. We were about 5-6 hours drive from home. I later found out that another friend paid the tow company for me. I didnt realize the tow in from the track was at your cost. Oh, the damage to the track is also yours. I apparently damaged 40 or so feet of tirewall and railing. I think thats a bit stretched since I looked at the damage the next day. Oh well.

After paperwork was completed I went out the the paddock to see just how bad I banged the car up.

Yes i had track insurance through Lockton. They were great to work with, I highly recommend them.

 

Asking around a bit I was referred by many people to Mikes AutoBody of Malden Massachusetts. Mikes had done quite a bit of work to others cars after track incidents as well as some daily drivers.

Off to Mikes she went. These are from the first week after they had a chance to look at her a bit.

 

More pictures from the initial assessment of damage. The damage looks much less severe once the bent panels are removed. The oil cooler had a tiny pin ***** in it from the fan being pushed into it.

 

Approximately a month has gone by since the insurance assessment has been complete. Parts are starting to roll in. They went through two doors and three right fenders before getting undamaged ones in. All were new but damaged in shipping.

They checked for rust in the windshield area, small amounts found but only surface, no rust through.

The rear quarter panel pulled out nicely. The frame rail up front was pulled and repaired.

 

Another week has gone by.

 

Headlight washer delete.

 

Priming of the repaired areas. Inside the frunk repair.

 

Some parts now have color! Woohoo!

 

We are now into October. Work is coming along nicely but slow. The initial estimate for completion has passed. It happens.

No rust was found in the rear windscreen so it was left in place.

 

hmm, were you happy with how they repaired that front passenger side corner?

Did they have the car on a cellete?

 

Mid October and she is in the paint booth! Mikes used Spies Hecker paint and PPG Concept 2021 Clear Coat for the finish.

 

Our of the booth! They painted the car on a Saturday. I had to wait until Monday to drive down and see it!

 

More bits. Nearly the end of October now.

 

Halloween morning. More parts are painted and on the car. The end is near!

 

Last week in November. It still hasnt snowed or required salt on the roads in Mass where the car is being repaired so it was driven to and from the alignment shop. Alignment to pre accident specs went without a problem.

The oil was changed before heading out and a sample was sent to Blackstone. Sample came back with no trouble signs. Of course with no oil circulation since the accident, this was expected. I have put a few miles on since I got the car back, I will send a sample in the spring when I have a chance to get a few more miles on it. Since the hole was so small and pressure never dropped, I do not expect any issue.