I debated weather or not I should even post this, but a lot of you guys are like extended family so I figured I'd let you know what happened this morning. We were on our way to Bremerton for a Solo-II event at about at 7:00am. There were six of us in different cars and I was at the end.

I've played it over and over a hundred times in my head, but long story short......the road was wet, it was 31 degrees, and I lost control in a right hand corner. The car initially began to push slightly toward the center line. I lifted and believe I maintained steering wheel position, but as I did, the back end came around and pointed me right towards a telephone pole. It was a huge hit to say the least. The air bag opened and I did a face-plant right into it. I have a seriously bruised sternum that hurts a lot more now, than it did this morning.

I have to give thanks number one for even walking away. Number two, for my friends who canceled their plans and helped me strip all my goodies off the car. Thank you: Nash, Terri, Zach Demian, Kyle and Paul. You guys rock. Number three, for the roll cage. Looking at the car up close, the damage was centralized up front. The windshield cracked, but didn't shatter.

Anyhoo....on with the pics.

This was taken at the scene.



This is the pole. You can't really tell here, but I moved the base of the pole about 12 to 18 inches.



Yes.....the impact was very significant.



My faithfull crew hard at work.



This is the right front shock. The others are ok. Shitty thing is, I just put all four Newman Koni's in the day before and didn't even get a chance to drive on them. Well....maybe for about 5 minutes.


My neck is stiffening up now, so I'll be going. Be careful out there.

 

man, i'm glad you walked away.

 

I'm just glad to hear you walked away.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

 

Holy **** bro, that sucks. The only thing that really matters is your alright.

 

glad to see you are ok. situations like that can be very scary, been there before. hope you feel better

Brian

 

glad to hear you walkded away....alot of people wouldn't have!

 

Which restraint system were you using?

Will

 

dude , sorry about the car , but glad to hear you walk away !

 

God damn that sucks! It is great that you walked away! Yes, luck was on your side. However it is always hard to lose a car that you put that much time and effort into. The only saving grace is that when you rebuild you can do it better by capitalizing on the knowledge you gained the first time around. My advice to you - as corny as it may sound is to pull something little off the car, something like an emblem or such. Something as a reminder of both the car as well as the fact that fate was on your side. Call me supersticous/sentimental or whatever but looking back I am glad I kept little mementos of my cars that I no longer have.

Good luck getting everything!

 

Wow you ate that pole bro!! Glad to see the car did as well as it did from the impact. Maybe a front clip could fix your problems.

And really glad that your alive and walking afterwards. I always think something like this will happen to me but I pray it never does.


[Modified by Civic242, 9:45 PM 2/10/2002]

 

and i was just watching your vid today too, sorry. glad your ok!!

 

I'm in shock, John...I'm definitely with the rest of us in saying that I'm glad you're okay. That really looked like a hell of a wallop. I couldnt' tell by the pic, but did you ever get the roll cage in, or does it still have the 4 pt?

 

My deepest sympathies, that is truly horrible. Thank goodness you were not seriously injured.

 

Wow, im real sorry man. Take care!

 

John, I am glad that you are ok. That is definitely the important thing. I know that a lot of things are going thru your head right now. I still have to say, "Don't toss the car". You can put it back together for less than buying a new shell. Unless it is really twisted a front clip will get you back on the road. You can save a bundle by taking most of the front end off yourself. (For those of you who don't know, I ruined a car early last year & had to build up my current car little by little.)

 

Doh.
have a

 

Just like everyone else said...the best news is that you're alright.

Worry about the car once your less sore than you probably are now.

 

The car is a loss. The frame is badly bent and the roof is buckled. The right front strut tower is behind the left front strut tower by a good 5". The tranny is definitely toast, and the motor is broken.

Drew, I have the "H" emblem from the hood.

 

Are you going to start selling parts off the car or will they go into a new project? Im looking for custom rate GC's. What are the SR's?

 

Glad you're alright. Get some ice for your neck. It'll hurt in the morning... ask me how I know...

I thought I was hot stuff once. Then I went out screwing around one night and wrecked my ITR. Wasn't that hard of an impact, though I did turtle it. Bought it back from the insurance company, and now it's my race car. Unfortunately, yours sounds like it's totaled if the roof is buckled too.

Anyhow, for the other folks reading this thread, keep it on the track. Ross, are you listening?

John, I've been there. It sucks. Only time I've ever been in an ambulance. You'll ask yourself a million times how you could have let it happen, or how you could have corrected before the impact. Well, get back in the saddle when you can, and drive smarter.

edit: typo

Warren


[Modified by Warren, 11:31 PM 2/10/2002]

 

Don't even mention it man. I'm just glad you were not seriously hurt and we could help you get the car in order today. We'll help you back on the road as quickly or as slowly as you want. You can co drive my POS anytime so don't worry about not being able to beat on anything

Zach

 

As everyone else has said, glad you fared as well as you did John.

 

John,

I'm really sorry for you. I am really glad you are OK but please go get a complete "once over" alright? How is your Wife? Happy and pissed at the same time? Hope you feel better.

Victor Penner

 

Yes!

Ross - whose car is STILL not driving right.

John - that was a pretty car. I've been there (sort of) and the self-blame sucks. Don't beat yourself up as bad as I did and you'll be ok.

 

Man am I sorry to see that. I know you had some big plans for this year, moving up to SoloI and stuff. I hope you recover soon and get yourself back on track quickly as we..

Al