The Demise of the 944 Spec Budget Build (Putnam Wreck)
05-16-2009, 11:26 PM
#1
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The Demise of the 944 Spec Budget Build (Putnam Wreck)
Well, after many years on track, it took building an all new one to wad it up.
Fortunately, all the safety built into the car paid off, and I am unhurt.
The blow-by-blow:
Went out for qualifying on a newly dried track after heavy rains overnight. As I got clear of some traffic for an open hot lap, it began to drizzle (or "red mist" :wink: ). As I squeezed the the brakes to set the nose for turn 4, I found a newly slippery spot, briefly locking the wheels. Not alarmed (yet), but knowing I wouldn't make the corner, I got the car straightened out to drive straight off rather than spin. This was all good until I realized my trajectory was going straight to one of the very few bits of guardrail at Putnam - in front of a drop-off from a drainage ditch. As the overnight rains had soaked the grass, there was no steering around it, especially without risking hitting it sideways (bad at 60+ MPH), so I braced for impact.
I hit the hay-bales before the guardrail, then knocked over the guardrail, launching the car over the drainage ditch, Dukes-of-Hazard style. I saw sky, grass, then mud as nose dropped and augured in, standing the car staight up on its nose for long enough to wonder if it was going to over, or land on its wheels, before it went over on its roof. I was very thankful for the extra roof bar I put in the cage, and the HANS device. After a moment to assess myself, I wriggled out the side window - a bit of a tight fit with the car buried a bit in the mud, and the side mirror folded in.
The aftermath:
Fortunately, all the safety built into the car paid off, and I am unhurt.
The blow-by-blow:
Went out for qualifying on a newly dried track after heavy rains overnight. As I got clear of some traffic for an open hot lap, it began to drizzle (or "red mist" :wink: ). As I squeezed the the brakes to set the nose for turn 4, I found a newly slippery spot, briefly locking the wheels. Not alarmed (yet), but knowing I wouldn't make the corner, I got the car straightened out to drive straight off rather than spin. This was all good until I realized my trajectory was going straight to one of the very few bits of guardrail at Putnam - in front of a drop-off from a drainage ditch. As the overnight rains had soaked the grass, there was no steering around it, especially without risking hitting it sideways (bad at 60+ MPH), so I braced for impact.
I hit the hay-bales before the guardrail, then knocked over the guardrail, launching the car over the drainage ditch, Dukes-of-Hazard style. I saw sky, grass, then mud as nose dropped and augured in, standing the car staight up on its nose for long enough to wonder if it was going to over, or land on its wheels, before it went over on its roof. I was very thankful for the extra roof bar I put in the cage, and the HANS device. After a moment to assess myself, I wriggled out the side window - a bit of a tight fit with the car buried a bit in the mud, and the side mirror folded in.
The aftermath:
05-16-2009, 11:58 PM
#3
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sorry to see that...
05-17-2009, 12:38 AM
#6
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Eric I am so sorry to hear/see this happen to you. You are ****...d, but as long as you are in one piece that is the most important thing. Your car(or a donor) will get you back on track. Miller is still a long way off and I hope you can get it all together to keep your 944 Spec Championship streak going. I wish you and Linda the best.
Bill
Bill
05-17-2009, 12:42 AM
#7
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Thread Starter
As it turned out, I had the pole position lap already in the bag, could've cruised home, but didn't know!
I actually ran the race today, in the rental/back up 944 Raceworks/BENMS car (thanks guys!), though a failed radiator cap ended that run - wasn't meat to be today!
I actually ran the race today, in the rental/back up 944 Raceworks/BENMS car (thanks guys!), though a failed radiator cap ended that run - wasn't meat to be today!
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05-17-2009, 11:21 AM
#11
Hey Eric, I'm sure you're glad you didn't skimp on the safety stuff 
I'm glad you're ok, it's only a car. Good luck on bringing it back to the track with it or another tub. Cars can come back, mine is proof of that.
I'm glad you're ok, it's only a car. Good luck on bringing it back to the track with it or another tub. Cars can come back, mine is proof of that.
05-17-2009, 11:40 AM
#13
Three Wheelin'
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Yeah Eric, glad you're okay. Could have been worse.
You related the story well, espeicially that moment when your car landed on her nose and you're waiting to see which way it would go, wow.
Good luck on your next project.
You related the story well, espeicially that moment when your car landed on her nose and you're waiting to see which way it would go, wow.
Good luck on your next project.
05-17-2009, 02:05 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
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I know exactly how youe feel. I wrecked mine at Road Atlanta and had almost the exact same story, but without the roll-over.
It took me a couple of weeks to get over it, but now I am determined to rebuild. I planned to start a build thread like yours when I get started.
Glad you are OK, your ego will heal pretty quickly.
It took me a couple of weeks to get over it, but now I am determined to rebuild. I planned to start a build thread like yours when I get started.
Glad you are OK, your ego will heal pretty quickly.