Accident at Big Willow
#1
Accident at Big Willow
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1524161
Should I be rushing to get a full cage, race seats, and harness, or was this something about the mini in particular, or just bad luck?
Should I be rushing to get a full cage, race seats, and harness, or was this something about the mini in particular, or just bad luck?
#3
Originally Posted by moogleii,May 28 2008, 06:07 PM
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1524161
Should I be rushing to get a full cage, race seats, and harness, or was this something about the mini in particular, or just bad luck?
Should I be rushing to get a full cage, race seats, and harness, or was this something about the mini in particular, or just bad luck?
Car - Check brake system, suspension system, motor, etc before every event. If you don't mind the daily hassle, a properly installed race seat + 4 or 5pt harness + rollbar will go a long way in a rollover or hard hit.
Yourself - Invest in enough quality coaching to get yourself to the point where you understand the driver's role in vehicle dynamics and are trained to react appropriately in tough situations, like a slide in T8-9 at big Willow. One or two Skip Barber racing schools should get you there; NOT typical HPDE "instruction". It is alot of money, but if you're doing lots of HPDE's or just street driving there's a good chance it can save your car or life some day.
Bottom line - use common sense. How safe you are is up to YOU, not what kind of seat you have. Don't push yourself in a really fast corner if you're uncomfortable with it. Take baby steps up to the limit to increase your comfort zone, and never go faster than the point where you think you won't be able to 'catch' the car if you make a mistake. While I do think HPDE's are very safe overall, this is something that can kill you if you are careless. Have as much fun as you can, but have an equal amount of respect for yourself and others around you on track.
Be safe out there guys... So sorry to hear that the Mini driver did not make it. Hopefully no lawsuits or stupid laws come of this...
#4
if you read the guys bio he was no amateur, just lost control and from speculation he had a racing harness with no roll cage which caused the roof to crush the seat on top of him. That is unfortunate but at least he went out doing what he loved
#6
Registered User
With all the incidents that have happened at T9 you would think they would fill up the ditch there that causes all the rollovers. There has to be something that can be done to make that turn safer.
#7
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Originally Posted by pantyraider,May 28 2008, 08:11 PM
With all the incidents that have happened at T9 you would think they would fill up the ditch there that causes all the rollovers. There has to be something that can be done to make that turn safer.
Why haven't they fixed that?
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#8
Administrator
I've taken that turn 9 ride out and back across the infield. Ditch, no ditch, doesn't matter. Car going sideways at 80+ mph hits the dirt, bad things happen.
My condolences to his family.
My condolences to his family.
#9
Paving that section of the infield might help.
Even if you drive a high-speed corner within your limit/skill, you can never be sure there won't be a mechanical failure, so wise to have as much safety gear as you can. As S2kretard said, check suspension, tires etc. before each session to minimize chance of mechanical failure, but even so there is still no guarantee.
My condolences to Drey's family.
Even if you drive a high-speed corner within your limit/skill, you can never be sure there won't be a mechanical failure, so wise to have as much safety gear as you can. As S2kretard said, check suspension, tires etc. before each session to minimize chance of mechanical failure, but even so there is still no guarantee.
My condolences to Drey's family.
#10
Registered User
Originally Posted by S2Kretard,May 28 2008, 06:36 PM
My .02 is to use common sense on track, and prepare yourself and your car for HPDE events.
Car - Check brake system, suspension system, motor, etc before every event. If you don't mind the daily hassle, a properly installed race seat + 4 or 5pt harness + rollbar will go a long way in a rollover or hard hit.
Yourself - Invest in enough quality coaching to get yourself to the point where you understand the driver's role in vehicle dynamics and are trained to react appropriately in tough situations, like a slide in T8-9 at big Willow. One or two Skip Barber racing schools should get you there; NOT typical HPDE "instruction". It is alot of money, but if you're doing lots of HPDE's or just street driving there's a good chance it can save your car or life some day.
Bottom line - use common sense. How safe you are is up to YOU, not what kind of seat you have. Don't push yourself in a really fast corner if you're uncomfortable with it. Take baby steps up to the limit to increase your comfort zone, and never go faster than the point where you think you won't be able to 'catch' the car if you make a mistake. While I do think HPDE's are very safe overall, this is something that can kill you if you are careless. Have as much fun as you can, but have an equal amount of respect for yourself and others around you on track.
Be safe out there guys... So sorry to hear that the Mini driver did not make it. Hopefully no lawsuits or stupid laws come of this...
Car - Check brake system, suspension system, motor, etc before every event. If you don't mind the daily hassle, a properly installed race seat + 4 or 5pt harness + rollbar will go a long way in a rollover or hard hit.
Yourself - Invest in enough quality coaching to get yourself to the point where you understand the driver's role in vehicle dynamics and are trained to react appropriately in tough situations, like a slide in T8-9 at big Willow. One or two Skip Barber racing schools should get you there; NOT typical HPDE "instruction". It is alot of money, but if you're doing lots of HPDE's or just street driving there's a good chance it can save your car or life some day.
Bottom line - use common sense. How safe you are is up to YOU, not what kind of seat you have. Don't push yourself in a really fast corner if you're uncomfortable with it. Take baby steps up to the limit to increase your comfort zone, and never go faster than the point where you think you won't be able to 'catch' the car if you make a mistake. While I do think HPDE's are very safe overall, this is something that can kill you if you are careless. Have as much fun as you can, but have an equal amount of respect for yourself and others around you on track.
Be safe out there guys... So sorry to hear that the Mini driver did not make it. Hopefully no lawsuits or stupid laws come of this...
Well said
[QUOTE=pantyraider,May 28 2008, 08:11 PM]With all the incidents that have happened at T9 you would think they would fill up the ditch there that causes all the rollovers.