Veloce Raptor

Ah'm on fahr! AH'M ON FAHR!!!!!







Professional Racing and Driving Coach

va122

Been there done that, thank GOD for Hans, no whiplash but a concussion from hitting the back of the seat.

Damn I was there for that. Sucks.

RickBetterley

Go look at the actual thread; really good stop action.
Jack also mentioned some oversights that may have led to the crash.
Really good stuff and admirable honesty.

jgrant

Quite right.

All kidding aside, that was the first thread I ever remember seeing where someone was brutally (and publicly) honest about what happened, and was totally open to sharing the event in the hopes that people could learn from it. Never mind the fact that it was so well photographed.

Chads996

Nicely done. Here's the sequence gif from the thread.

Veloce Raptor

Hmmmm...very educational, thanks, Chad!







Professional Racing and Driving Coach

TedA

HELP ME TOM CRUISE!!!!!!

bobt993

I had this happen as a passenger with a solo driver last year. He was way over driving the car. I told him this three times and suggested he pit it to talk. Next turn he completely blows the entry onto the front straight understeers off the track, but attempts to save two wheels off. I yelled both feet in!!! Fortunately, he did, but it was still slow motion as we looped to the inside. My first thought was he is going to hit the wall (drivers side). I did cross my arms and grab my suit. I pulled my legs towards me to avoid a possible broken leg. Before crossing my arms, I made sure my helmet visor was securely down with my inside hand. Last thought before impact was, sh$t, car rotated another half turn and now I get the wall! Including 10 lbs of dirt via the side window into my lap. When it was all done, he thought the car was driveable to the pit lane. I told him to turn off the car and wait for a tow as I was certain the front suspension was broken. I would suggest keeping your arms low and crossed if no safety net as I did see the potential for my right arm to end up outside the vehicle from the impact.

Rich Sandor

I've had two medium impacts and 1 epic crash (neither of which were on a track or in a porsche..)

I'll echo the sentiments about "turtle position" for the big hits in race cars with a full harness - as long as the harness is TIGHT (like it's supposed to be)

With street/lap belts, especially at lower speeds, I think it's better to brace your upper body by holding the steering wheel with slightly bent arms (thumbs on the outside!)

Whatever you do, don't let your body or arms "flail" around.

(And DON'T undo your sealtbelt if you are inverted until you're supporting yourself !)

Rassel

Perhaps controversial, but I pull the harness as tight as I can as soon as I know it's going to hell.
Then right before impact, I become "soft" described as above. If it's all going to quick. Forget tightening.

Broken ribs, bounce against the side of the seat. Can also result in punctured lung. (Harness not tight enough, poor seat combo)
Broken collar bone, if the harness isn't tight enough. (Harness itself snaps it, very common and happends also if it's very tight anyway)
Broken legs and ankle if you keep both feet in all the way.
+ Broken hip if you sit too far from the pedals. (Too stretched legs, force travels up towards hip)
+ Broken knees if you sit too close to the wheel. (Dashboard crush, street car)
Broken hands if you keep holding the wheel and the steering snaps. (Common)
Broken hands/arms when you roll the car, if you hold them against the roof. (Common)
Concussion from helmet hitting the back of the seat as mentioned above.
Temporary blindness from the same reason as above. (This is scary, I temporary got bad sight on left eye once). I think it was Leh Keen (or was it Sean Edwards?) who lost his sight totally, temporarily after a big hit.

I have a big list from a track physician somewhere lying around. Which I in a Freudian way put somewhere I can't find it.
It's not really the type of info people gladly hear. Rather stick their heads into the sand and say - oh not me I'm invincible. (Me included... )

But those are from the top of my head.
Well, there's a bunch more. Anyone wanna add-up some more?

race911

Now THAT photo sequence is a great one to plant in my mind as I'm ready to make that long, long, long 1/2 hour tow up to Sears for the weekend.............

And some personal stupidity just up track from Jack's:

http://www.justracing.com/galleries/...lbum=180&pos=0

RickBetterley

Umm, not really...
That was quite a list of injuries. Very sobering and a good reminder of how serious this sport is.

A.Wayne

Stop film, get out , call GEICO agent , press play ....................................

Rassel

But it will never happen to me... eh.. uh... again... uh...

dan212

One really critical thing. CLOSE YOUR MOUTH. Try not to clench your teeth, but close your jaw. It is very easy to bite your tongue or break a tooth.