Thunderhill T14 crash
04-29-2010, 11:39 PM
#32
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I'm about to start a "Jimmy the Greek" thread. Everyone puts up $20 betting I can't hit a 2:15.5 at the Glen. If I don't (and it isn't a rain out) I have to pay back the $20 + 10 points, if I do... it's a wash.. 
04-29-2010, 11:42 PM
#33
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From experience - a good friend of mine lost his brakes going into turn 1 at Thunderbolt. Probably going 130+ in his GT3. He had an option and decided to hit the tire wall straight on. Came away without a scratch and only (only?) $10K damage to the car. Straight in is the best. All of your saftey gear and all of the crumple zones in modern cars are designed for that. If he had hit on an angle, he would probably have bent the car. Who knows if he would have gotten hurt in the process.
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Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
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1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car
CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.
Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
2004 GT3 Track Car
1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car
CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.
04-29-2010, 11:45 PM
#34
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04-30-2010, 12:04 AM
#37
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I think this year will be one for the books. A 2:13.x was the D record, look for some new faces in that arena.. glad you are on the ball Paolo and got the behind/Greek thing..
04-30-2010, 02:27 AM
#39
Rennlist Member
all that is very debatable. speed doesnt kill, its the sudden stop. 
sure, if you can stuff your car into the tire wall head on and they are all tires and nothing behind it, you might survive. however, put a wall behind it and Ill take an angle, and lose the car any day of the race weekend. my crash, for example would have killed me for sure, had it not been for the slight angle I hit the wall at. an angle will more than likely save your life. our turn 14 friend was able to lose a lot of energy on his approach to the wall and spread out the forces much more than if he hit head on. the more rolling an tumbling, the better.
sure, if you can stuff your car into the tire wall head on and they are all tires and nothing behind it, you might survive. however, put a wall behind it and Ill take an angle, and lose the car any day of the race weekend.
my crash, for example would have killed me for sure, had it not been for the slight angle I hit the wall at. an angle will more than likely save your life. our turn 14 friend was able to lose a lot of energy on his approach to the wall and spread out the forces much more than if he hit head on. the more rolling an tumbling, the better. From experience - a good friend of mine lost his brakes going into turn 1 at Thunderbolt. Probably going 130+ in his GT3. He had an option and decided to hit the tire wall straight on. Came away without a scratch and only (only?) $10K damage to the car. Straight in is the best. All of your saftey gear and all of the crumple zones in modern cars are designed for that. If he had hit on an angle, he would probably have bent the car. Who knows if he would have gotten hurt in the process.
04-30-2010, 02:34 AM
#40
Rennlist Member
Not at all. I just cant stand someone that insults someone without an clue of a fact and makes their opinion seem as fact. The biggest problem I have with your posts, is that you have to add an insult to the analysis as well. Project much?
The turn 14 drver lost his brakes, did a great job of avoiding the car in front, and hitting the wall until the last possible point by a nice pitch turn around turn 14. a downshift would have been the only thing he could have done to save or dodge the damage.
He didnt run out of talent.
The turn 14 drver lost his brakes, did a great job of avoiding the car in front, and hitting the wall until the last possible point by a nice pitch turn around turn 14. a downshift would have been the only thing he could have done to save or dodge the damage.
He didnt run out of talent.
04-30-2010, 02:49 AM
#41
Three Wheelin'
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04-30-2010, 08:10 AM
#43
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all that is very debatable. speed doesnt kill, its the sudden stop.
sure, if you can stuff your car into the tire wall head on and they are all tires and nothing behind it, you might survive. however, put a wall behind it and Ill take an angle, and lose the car any day of the race weekend.
sure, if you can stuff your car into the tire wall head on and they are all tires and nothing behind it, you might survive. however, put a wall behind it and Ill take an angle, and lose the car any day of the race weekend.
04-30-2010, 09:32 AM
#44
Mr. Excitement
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Can't see the vid at work. As to what angle is best for an impact. In an track built car I will take a clean straight in front or rear* impact over an off angle any day. Slight off angle looks like a real killer. There not enough to soak energy but enough to dirty up the G forces and reduce the value of the belting, seating and H&N systems used. Hands and feet off the controls just before impact is good form. Watch the F1 guys. They are trained to go fetal just prior to an impact.
*rear impact with a good seating system, not a 4 bolts only plastic seat.
*rear impact with a good seating system, not a 4 bolts only plastic seat.
04-30-2010, 09:39 AM
#45
Addict
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Cold tires?