Video of my wreck at the Glen race
#32
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
is it possible from the red 44's vantage point that the spins ahead were out of view? I am guessing he was in your blind spot or just behind all along and tried to underpass when you slowed, not knowing what was going on
#33
Rennlist Member
John -
I was looking at that great cage you built and tossing around the best way to get it out of that car and into another. I doubt cutting/butt welding would be a safe option, would you use short sleeves over a joint? Would you not do it at all? I'm thinking off with the roof and go from there..
I was looking at that great cage you built and tossing around the best way to get it out of that car and into another. I doubt cutting/butt welding would be a safe option, would you use short sleeves over a joint? Would you not do it at all? I'm thinking off with the roof and go from there..
#34
Rennlist Member
#36
For all we know, some guy on the 944's driver's side might have swerved right to avoid hitting the yellow car. The 944 guy may have drove into the grass to avoid being sideswiped. Then, when Sean slowed down, the 944 guy might not have been able to stop in time.
Then again, maybe he just wasn't thinking clearly... Hard to say without video footage. I'd guess that somebody on this board has footage of it.
#37
NASA Racer
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
John -
I was looking at that great cage you built and tossing around the best way to get it out of that car and into another. I doubt cutting/butt welding would be a safe option, would you use short sleeves over a joint? Would you not do it at all? I'm thinking off with the roof and go from there..
I was looking at that great cage you built and tossing around the best way to get it out of that car and into another. I doubt cutting/butt welding would be a safe option, would you use short sleeves over a joint? Would you not do it at all? I'm thinking off with the roof and go from there..
I was thinking the same thing
BTW John, everything you built passed with flying colors. The safety system worked exactly to plan. It was a big hit and everything held.
#38
I just finished a re-body project, including moving a very nicely made cage into the new body. It went in perfectly. No surprise that I learned a few lessons on the way. Sean - just email if you want to discuss this - don't want to clutter up this thread.
#39
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Hey;
I will preface my remarks by saying that I don't get too excited by mangled metal. Familiarity breeds comfort! most people get spooked. It doesn't phase me in the slightest.
These are tough situations. It comes down to dollars & cents, i.e. can you repair what you have for equal or less than you have invested? We have a good bit of coin in that car already, eh? If we assume that the same amount will be spent to recreate it, this should significantly alter the thinking.
Early 911s have a pretty soft front unibody. It folds up pretty easy. I am totally guessing from afar here, but given the previous fact, and the fact that a substantial cage such as this one has will greatly reinforce the passenger compartment, might lead me to speculate that the damage was mostly contained in the front unibody.
If this is indeed the case, I would strongly consider clipping it. The investment in the latter 2/3rds of the chassis is substantial. Possibly too much so to toss it for what is essentially "throw-away" sheetmetal.
The place you want to really look for damage is in the pillars, cowl, and center tunnel. First question, do the doors open normally? Second, is the windshield broken?
I will preface my remarks by saying that I don't get too excited by mangled metal. Familiarity breeds comfort! most people get spooked. It doesn't phase me in the slightest.
These are tough situations. It comes down to dollars & cents, i.e. can you repair what you have for equal or less than you have invested? We have a good bit of coin in that car already, eh? If we assume that the same amount will be spent to recreate it, this should significantly alter the thinking.
Early 911s have a pretty soft front unibody. It folds up pretty easy. I am totally guessing from afar here, but given the previous fact, and the fact that a substantial cage such as this one has will greatly reinforce the passenger compartment, might lead me to speculate that the damage was mostly contained in the front unibody.
If this is indeed the case, I would strongly consider clipping it. The investment in the latter 2/3rds of the chassis is substantial. Possibly too much so to toss it for what is essentially "throw-away" sheetmetal.
The place you want to really look for damage is in the pillars, cowl, and center tunnel. First question, do the doors open normally? Second, is the windshield broken?
#41
Hey Sean,
Wow. That video tells the sad tale. Glad you are OK. Thats the most important thing. In looking at your car at the track, time to think about a new tub. You were unlucky, in the wrong place at the wrong time.
On the bright side, you drove great all weekend, and take pride in your first place in sprint 1, and your heads up driving all weekend.
I know you'll be back!
JL
Wow. That video tells the sad tale. Glad you are OK. Thats the most important thing. In looking at your car at the track, time to think about a new tub. You were unlucky, in the wrong place at the wrong time.
On the bright side, you drove great all weekend, and take pride in your first place in sprint 1, and your heads up driving all weekend.
I know you'll be back!
JL
#42
Rennlist Member
Hey Sean,
Wow. That video tells the sad tale. Glad you are OK. Thats the most important thing. In looking at your car at the track, time to think about a new tub. You were unlucky, in the wrong place at the wrong time.
On the bright side, you drove great all weekend, and take pride in your first place in sprint 1, and your heads up driving all weekend.
I know you'll be back!
JL
Wow. That video tells the sad tale. Glad you are OK. Thats the most important thing. In looking at your car at the track, time to think about a new tub. You were unlucky, in the wrong place at the wrong time.
On the bright side, you drove great all weekend, and take pride in your first place in sprint 1, and your heads up driving all weekend.
I know you'll be back!
JL
#43
Sean,
Sorry to hear about your car. Joel just sent me the video. I saw you run your car at Lime Rock a few weeks back and it looked great.
What they hell was the red 944 driver thinking? Seriously.
Hope you get on the track again soon,
Adam
Sorry to hear about your car. Joel just sent me the video. I saw you run your car at Lime Rock a few weeks back and it looked great.
What they hell was the red 944 driver thinking? Seriously.
Hope you get on the track again soon,
Adam
#44
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Damn, I have been in your shoes and shades of anger creep back. Not fun. Like Derek Bell once said"
In racing always assume the other drivers are bloody idiots". There is at least one in your video.
Just dont freaking get it, where is the head's up driving? Aren't we all supposed to be 'trained" in that? 13/13's sometimes are not enough, there should be back to DE's and no license for you buddy (the red 944 guy).
Good luck with repairing your car.
In racing always assume the other drivers are bloody idiots". There is at least one in your video.
Just dont freaking get it, where is the head's up driving? Aren't we all supposed to be 'trained" in that? 13/13's sometimes are not enough, there should be back to DE's and no license for you buddy (the red 944 guy).
Good luck with repairing your car.
#45
Mine was just over the edge of beign economically repairable, with the structural integrity issue being the primary concern. Having gone the new body route, I've got a perfectly straight and unmolested tub. Aligning it was a dream!
However, its a big project:
Step 1: Completely dissemble TWO cars.
Step 2: Rebuild/refresh everything from the donor that's going into the new car.
etc.....
My punch list for the things that needed to be done once the drive train and suspension was moved into the new body is scary long, and still not all finished.