Interesting Article on crashes at Ring track days
06-28-2013, 12:07 PM
#4
Race Car
I agree WHOLEHEARTEDLY with this statement:
"I do NOT believe in sweeping accidents like these under the carpet. We should see the broken metal, listen to the sirens and think about how we drive the track on our next lap."
I've had arguments with people here on rennlist and, particularly, through UCR, about this very issue. Sometimes you CAN learn life lessons the easy way, by learning from other people's mistakes. And learning lessons about driving within your limits the easy could very well save your life, the life of your passenger, and the life of other people on the track.
My belief is simple: if you don't want pics of your smashed up car all over the internet, don't smash it up.
On a brighter note, his admonishment to passengers: "PLEASE don't jump into fast cars without understanding the possibilities of what can happen next. " reminded me of a time I was a passenger in a race-prepped 69 911S driven by a VERY capable driver at Mosport. It was hands down the best 20 minutes I've ever spent in a car (with the possible exception of non-driving, erm, "encounters"
). I remember going through 2, sliding, thinking 'there's no traction control, no ABS, I'm hanging onto the 5-point restraint for dear life- we could very well crash right now, and I'm ok with that. If this is how my life ends, I'll go out with one hell of a smile on my face!' 
"I do NOT believe in sweeping accidents like these under the carpet. We should see the broken metal, listen to the sirens and think about how we drive the track on our next lap."
I've had arguments with people here on rennlist and, particularly, through UCR, about this very issue. Sometimes you CAN learn life lessons the easy way, by learning from other people's mistakes. And learning lessons about driving within your limits the easy could very well save your life, the life of your passenger, and the life of other people on the track.
My belief is simple: if you don't want pics of your smashed up car all over the internet, don't smash it up.
On a brighter note, his admonishment to passengers: "PLEASE don't jump into fast cars without understanding the possibilities of what can happen next. " reminded me of a time I was a passenger in a race-prepped 69 911S driven by a VERY capable driver at Mosport. It was hands down the best 20 minutes I've ever spent in a car (with the possible exception of non-driving, erm, "encounters"
). I remember going through 2, sliding, thinking 'there's no traction control, no ABS, I'm hanging onto the 5-point restraint for dear life- we could very well crash right now, and I'm ok with that. If this is how my life ends, I'll go out with one hell of a smile on my face!'
06-28-2013, 12:23 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
Ouch, that hurt all the way from here.
06-28-2013, 01:16 PM
#6
Pocket Sand
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In principle I agree with you Christien, but I believe the 'Ring already gets safety flack from interest groups who would rather see it shut down under the name of "safety". (People of the same mind-set as those who call for the Isle of Man TT to be closed every year or so). That is part of the reason why there are calls from 'ring sites not to post up vids of your accident, and why the 'Ring operators review footage from their rental cameras before issuing you the disk (as is my understanding from reading the forums).
If the decision must be made between giving up the incremental benefit gleaned from viewing these accidents, versus not giving these special interest groups more 'out-of-context' fodder to use against our beloved race venues, then I'm afraid I would have to side with the sweep it under the rug camp.
If the decision must be made between giving up the incremental benefit gleaned from viewing these accidents, versus not giving these special interest groups more 'out-of-context' fodder to use against our beloved race venues, then I'm afraid I would have to side with the sweep it under the rug camp.
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06-28-2013, 01:48 PM
#8
Race Car
I agree WHOLEHEARTEDLY with this statement:
"I do NOT believe in sweeping accidents like these under the carpet. We should see the broken metal, listen to the sirens and think about how we drive the track on our next lap."
I've had arguments with people here on rennlist and, particularly, through UCR, about this very issue. Sometimes you CAN learn life lessons the easy way, by learning from other people's mistakes. And learning lessons about driving within your limits the easy could very well save your life, the life of your passenger, and the life of other people on the track.
My belief is simple: if you don't want pics of your smashed up car all over the internet, don't smash it up.
On a brighter note, his admonishment to passengers: "PLEASE don't jump into fast cars without understanding the possibilities of what can happen next. " reminded me of a time I was a passenger in a race-prepped 69 911S driven by a VERY capable driver at Mosport. It was hands down the best 20 minutes I've ever spent in a car (with the possible exception of non-driving, erm, "encounters" ). I remember going through 2, sliding, thinking 'there's no traction control, no ABS, I'm hanging onto the 5-point restraint for dear life- we could very well crash right now, and I'm ok with that. If this is how my life ends, I'll go out with one hell of a smile on my face!'
"I do NOT believe in sweeping accidents like these under the carpet. We should see the broken metal, listen to the sirens and think about how we drive the track on our next lap."
I've had arguments with people here on rennlist and, particularly, through UCR, about this very issue. Sometimes you CAN learn life lessons the easy way, by learning from other people's mistakes. And learning lessons about driving within your limits the easy could very well save your life, the life of your passenger, and the life of other people on the track.
My belief is simple: if you don't want pics of your smashed up car all over the internet, don't smash it up.
On a brighter note, his admonishment to passengers: "PLEASE don't jump into fast cars without understanding the possibilities of what can happen next. " reminded me of a time I was a passenger in a race-prepped 69 911S driven by a VERY capable driver at Mosport. It was hands down the best 20 minutes I've ever spent in a car (with the possible exception of non-driving, erm, "encounters"
). I remember going through 2, sliding, thinking 'there's no traction control, no ABS, I'm hanging onto the 5-point restraint for dear life- we could very well crash right now, and I'm ok with that. If this is how my life ends, I'll go out with one hell of a smile on my face!' Ask someone with limited driving experience (or lots of sloppy experience) what they will do when all the electronic controls don't work on their 400 hp car and see how many dumb looks you get.
06-28-2013, 07:29 PM
#9
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I think there may be some educational benefit to posting crash pics but only if there is some narrative by the driver relating the chain of events leading to the crash. Watching a video is just titillation because too many feel invincible and "it can't happen to me." Oh yes it can!!