http://www.impreza.nu/ssi2/exp...O.mpg

 

I hate that for him, hope he was OK. And I hate how he must have felt afterwards. And I know it sounds cliche but I think I know exactly what that feels like.

 

Let's review why this...



...is a really good idea. Barasaurus Doorimus compliments of the Metalworker.

K

EDIT - from the link in Mr. Phat's sig

 

I hope our incar gets posted soon from the crash at RA... not that the posted clip wasn't "bad" enough...but man not so scary after seeing ours....

oh & btw...had already called Walt about doing the new cage...

yes yes his inspire confidence that the driver will be more likely to walk away...

Danielle....who doesn't care how much safety stuff costs....the price tag is ALWAYS lower than the value of my Lyonel

 

No kidding!

All you have to do is see a couple of those (or any) type crashes to really get to thinking about safety at HPDE events. Other than having to rebuild my engine, I have spent more time, effort and money making my car and person safer over the last year.

I really cringe at seening cars without at least a roll bar at driving events. A wreck could happen to anyone, even if they have done nothing wrong (mechanical or collected in sombody elses screw-up).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RexRacer19 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">All you have to do is see a couple of those (or any) type crashes to really get to thinking about safety at HPDE events.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This was a large part of why I chose a stock Miata over several other cars for my HPDE car. I had considered some relatively fast cars (E36 BMWs, Mustang, etc) and at the end of the day, a Miata on street tires made so much sense in so many ways. And also why I'm reconsidering enduro karting.

 

man...its painful to watch..

 

Let's be fair.
It was raining very hard and in my mind, if it's not for points and the weather is that bad, I don't go.
It is terrible that he wrecked and I do hope he's okay but that particular wreck could have been avoided if he'd passed on that particular, rained out event.
This is NOT to say that accidents can't happen in the dry, the damp, or even under perfect conditions but as this is a hobby it would be prudent to consider the entertainment v. risk factor per given event and a rained out event like that has the possibility for a high risk return.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bull &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.impreza.nu/ssi2/exp...O.mpg</TD></TR></TABLE>

link isn't working for me.

 

Anyone know what caused that? Just too much speed, and not good enough wet traction?

It just didn't seem like a part of the track that would cause the back to spin out like that.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bb6h22a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Let's be fair.
It was raining very hard and in my mind, if it's not for points and the weather is that bad, I don't go. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I disagree. As long as you are prepared, i.e. have rain tires, then the rain is one of the best places to develop your skills. Its no less safe than in the dry, as long as you keep your head out of your *** and remember that things can, and will get ugly quickly on a wet track.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Its no less safe than in the dry, as long as you keep your head out of your *** and remember that things can, and will get ugly quickly on a wet track.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That is exactly my point.

I agree that wet events can be helpful in further developing car control for situations that you wouldn't encounter in the dry. However, when things go wrong, they compound at a cubic rate in the wet and are often unsalvagable. My only point is to keep things in perspective. And, there's a difference between a torential downpour and a wet track day. I've attended wet track days but the rainfall was not like that seen in the video - the weather itself was a hazard in that video.

 

Man thats sad . But what the hell was he saying?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bb6h22a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I agree that wet events can be helpful in further developing car control for situations that you wouldn't encounter in the dry.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you've experienced, and can control a sliding car in the wet, it wont be much of a suprise when you have to do it in the dry and you will be better at it - IMHO.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> However, when things go wrong, they compound at a cubic rate in the wet and are often unsalvagable.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats where keeping your head up comes in I've spun in the wet (more times than I've spun in the dry) and I bail and go both feet in pretty early if I can just keep it on track rather than trying to save it and compound the problem.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And, there's a difference between a torential downpour and a wet track day. I've attended wet track days but the rainfall was not like that seen in the video - the weather itself was a hazard in that video.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think the only hazard he had was a lack of tread on his tires - I cant come up with any other explanation why he'd lose it in a straight line like that.

 

Man, just the video itself had enough pucker factor to make me not want to go out on track without a cage ever again

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If you've experienced, and can control a sliding car in the wet, it wont be much of a suprise when you have to do it in the dry and you will be better at it - IMHO.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've had my car step out while descending the Rainey curve at Laguna. I've gone through that corner plenty in the dry and even still, with a light rain, a familar turn caught me out, which is part of my point. Even experience can't save you sometimes, well, unless you're, you know, you know who.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thats where keeping your head up comes in I've spun in the wet (more times than I've spun in the dry) and I bail and go both feet in pretty early if I can just keep it on track rather than trying to save it and compound the problem.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I hear ya.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think the only hazard he had was a lack of tread on his tires - I cant come up with any other explanation why he'd lose it in a straight line like that.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree.
I can't imagine why he'd lose it on a straight save for bald tires, oil on the ground or some sort of mechanical / suspension failure. Who knows what happened, but I could say that had it been dry, that initial wiggle wouldn't have hurt him as bad; dry surface = more friction when two feet in.
It all adds up to what I'm saying. If you show up at an event and it's pouring, your tires are **** and you're overly anxious, either baby it around or leave.
Forethought is key.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I think the only hazard he had was a lack of tread on his tires - I cant come up with any other explanation why he'd lose it in a straight line like that.</TD></TR></TABLE>

To me it almost looks like the road has a slight bend at that point. It seems like he was lifting and (probably) getting on the brake at that point. He could have hit a puddle on one side or something...regardless, that happened FAST.

I went to the parent site of that video hoping to find a first hand account of what happened...I needed a translator, that I don't have...

 

i also see a slight bend to the left, and looks like there is a dry or wet patch (@ 22s) under the bridge. maybe that was what upset the car some? it also looks like there is a slight crest and dip one after another right before the back end swings around.

anyhoo, damn that happened quick. im glad i havent driven in the rain yet.

 

Sounds to me like he lifted, not completely but took enough weight off the rear.

 

I have to say I loved being on the track in the rain...

I had full tread RA-1's on at the time... and there were cars on track with what looked like slicks and rear wheel drive...I was having a field day on them...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Knestis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">



...compliments of the Metalworker.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Daymn, That's nice Walt! "How to build a bridge truss inside of a car, 101"


Modified by Track rat at 7:25 PM 3/11/2005

 

The link still does not work for me. It pretty much says the server does not exist. Is this the right link? http://www.impreza.nu/ssi2/exp...O.mpg

 

Best advice that I've gotten is it's like being a private pilot...if you show up and it's rainy, foggy, whatever you need to make a serious evaluation of your skills before you proceed. Just ask John Kennedy Jr. how that worked out, right?

I've been at several events where it rained and I usually go out for at least part of the session. But I make sure I dial it back some and don't push my limits. I think too many people get fixated on the fact they paid $200 for the day so they have to go out...and end up with 10x as much in damage.

One particular event comes to mind - a PCA event at MidOhio. It rained like a typhoon the second morning...there were a half dozen toasted Porsches by noon.

Like RJ said, driving in the rain can be a good learning tool. As long as you're realistic about your capabilities I guess.

Anyway, sucks for driver in the video, hate to see any damage.

- Markus

 

I love driving in the rain. That was a weird spin but it looked to me like he needed to keep it planted and he didn't, and/or hit something slicker than usual.

 

Thanks for the compliments on the door bars in phat-S new car.

Everytime you go out on a track and drive the least little bit hard you are risking your well being. I personally don't think it would be so much fun if there wasn't a fair amount of chance in what we do. Don't judge someone for wanting to push the envelope, just make sure you give helpful advice when they are learning how.