I had a bad crash at the Glen
10-06-2012, 10:10 AM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I had a bad crash at the Glen
First off, I'm glad I didn't let the spellchecker on my iPad do its thing otherwise the title would've been "I had a bad rash at the Glen."
Second, my video card was full and I'm not going to post the after pics as I don't want to remember the car that way.
I was at Group 52 last week. As I approached the braking zone for the heel of the boot, I went through someone's oil content and immediately found myself turned around somewhere between 80-100 mph. The car hit the guardrail violently. I felt like I hit with the driver side of the car but it was mainly front and some rear. The force was enough to fracture the front bumper and tear both the front and rear tow hooks out. Radiators and other misc parts were torn from the car. When I came to a stop in the gravel trap I saw two other cars knee deep in the gravel as well although neither of them suffered much damage as far as I know.
I was wearing a suit, 6 point, arm restraints, visor down, and window net up. With the amount of oil that was on the track, this could've happened on an out lap. I'm glad I have become fanatical about my safety equipment and always take the time to put it all on. In a street car, I'm certain I would have been seriously injured. Instead, while I was a bit wobbly when I got out, I have zero injuries from it.
I have been hiring Spencer *** and his guys for support at these events and I cannot say enough good things about them. How they got my car into their transporter I still don't understand. Spencer was kind enough to call me the next day just to see how I was feeling. He's a class act and has been fantastic.
I went out at lunch time to ride my bike up and down the hills surrounding the track which helped calm my mind. I then took my Atom out to 'get back on the horse.' After a session, I felt back in the zone and even set my best ever lap time. I knew it was time to change the tires but I persisted. I found myself behind the car that had dumped oil earlier in the day and I ran out of talent ironically at the heel. I had a minor off but it was enough to bend a suspension arm on the car so I was done in many ways. This was nothing short of bad judgment (tires going away), running out of talent, and a touch of the red mist.
Yes, this was the track day from hell and I've learned a lot from it.
Mark Taylor and Gary Moore also run a terrific show and I sincerely appreciate the hug that Gary gave me afterwards.
I'm sorry there's no video or pics. I love our Pawxster and this is a sad time for me.
Please put on ALL of your safety equipment even if you are going out to just warm up.
Second, my video card was full and I'm not going to post the after pics as I don't want to remember the car that way.
I was at Group 52 last week. As I approached the braking zone for the heel of the boot, I went through someone's oil content and immediately found myself turned around somewhere between 80-100 mph. The car hit the guardrail violently. I felt like I hit with the driver side of the car but it was mainly front and some rear. The force was enough to fracture the front bumper and tear both the front and rear tow hooks out. Radiators and other misc parts were torn from the car. When I came to a stop in the gravel trap I saw two other cars knee deep in the gravel as well although neither of them suffered much damage as far as I know.
I was wearing a suit, 6 point, arm restraints, visor down, and window net up. With the amount of oil that was on the track, this could've happened on an out lap. I'm glad I have become fanatical about my safety equipment and always take the time to put it all on. In a street car, I'm certain I would have been seriously injured. Instead, while I was a bit wobbly when I got out, I have zero injuries from it.
I have been hiring Spencer *** and his guys for support at these events and I cannot say enough good things about them. How they got my car into their transporter I still don't understand. Spencer was kind enough to call me the next day just to see how I was feeling. He's a class act and has been fantastic.
I went out at lunch time to ride my bike up and down the hills surrounding the track which helped calm my mind. I then took my Atom out to 'get back on the horse.' After a session, I felt back in the zone and even set my best ever lap time. I knew it was time to change the tires but I persisted. I found myself behind the car that had dumped oil earlier in the day and I ran out of talent ironically at the heel. I had a minor off but it was enough to bend a suspension arm on the car so I was done in many ways. This was nothing short of bad judgment (tires going away), running out of talent, and a touch of the red mist.
Yes, this was the track day from hell and I've learned a lot from it.
Mark Taylor and Gary Moore also run a terrific show and I sincerely appreciate the hug that Gary gave me afterwards.
I'm sorry there's no video or pics. I love our Pawxster and this is a sad time for me.
Please put on ALL of your safety equipment even if you are going out to just warm up.
10-06-2012, 10:37 AM
#4
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Glad to hear you're ok. Sounds like it was a pretty hard hit, but you had done everything to be as safe as possible.
10-06-2012, 11:08 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
Wow, Dave, very sorry to hear, but very glad you emerged unscathed!
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10-06-2012, 02:20 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks everyone. I do appreciate it. I think I'll be carrying this one around for a while.
As for the car, I'm fairly certain it's a gonner but I'm going to work with Spencer *** to figure out what to do. I've got all winter to figure out what to do!
As for the car, I'm fairly certain it's a gonner but I'm going to work with Spencer *** to figure out what to do. I've got all winter to figure out what to do!
10-06-2012, 03:52 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
Dave, So glad to hear you walked away unscathed. Curious to see what replaces the Pawxster.
Is Irene still coming up with the Mini for our October event at NHMS? I know you were busy with work.
Is Irene still coming up with the Mini for our October event at NHMS? I know you were busy with work.
10-06-2012, 05:45 PM
#15
