Crashed the Vette at Homestead :( Video
02-28-2011, 06:06 PM
#41
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I have upgraded from my stock Z51 brakes, I put Z06 brakes, stainless lines, Carbotech pads, and SRF fluid along with High temp silicone brake cooling hose hooked to spindle ducts.
I think it was down to not being able to flush all the old brown fluid out. Thats getting taken care of too.
Last edited by mcandrew67; 02-28-2011 at 06:11 PM.
02-28-2011, 06:17 PM
#44
Le Mans Master
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Hey Dad, thanks for letting me take your Vette out for a drive!!! It was great..., but I had one little problem while I was out..., "nothing major" though. 
[/QUOTE]
Damage: Nothing major.
front bumper,
scratches on fender,
lost fog light,
scratches on headlight,
minor scratches on hood,
scratches down door and rear quarter,
broke drivers mirror too,
trashed carbon fiber splitter
and drivers side carbon fiber skirt
Broke radiator support, can easily be welded on.
Bottom plug on radiator broke backwards, still attached, can probably be welded back on.
Will get a 4 wheel alignment,
will need wiring harness for lights.
[/QUOTE]Damage: Nothing major.
front bumper,
scratches on fender,
lost fog light,
scratches on headlight,
minor scratches on hood,
scratches down door and rear quarter,
broke drivers mirror too,
trashed carbon fiber splitter
and drivers side carbon fiber skirt
Broke radiator support, can easily be welded on.
Bottom plug on radiator broke backwards, still attached, can probably be welded back on.
Will get a 4 wheel alignment,
will need wiring harness for lights.
02-28-2011, 06:18 PM
#45
Race Director
I know this is inevitably going to aggravate you, and I wasn't there, but you did post a video and it's pretty clear this is not what happened. Or at least not as innocently.
If you lost your brakes and entered the corner hot why would you stay to the inside like that instead of tracking out to lose momentum, additionally you should turn in late in that situation. Also you can also clearly hear you getting back on the throttle after the apex. It looks like a pretty clear case of power over without correction.
Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's pretty easy to do in a vette even for a highly skilled driver. There is something wrong with not acknowledging it though.
If you lost your brakes and entered the corner hot why would you stay to the inside like that instead of tracking out to lose momentum, additionally you should turn in late in that situation. Also you can also clearly hear you getting back on the throttle after the apex. It looks like a pretty clear case of power over without correction.
Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's pretty easy to do in a vette even for a highly skilled driver. There is something wrong with not acknowledging it though.
This was my first impression too. I did not post my initial thoughts.
Back end came around.
Really looks like a lot of fun. What happened to you is why I will not track. Too expensive to maintain. Just cause I do not track does not mean I am oblivious to speed and momentum. Lots of 33 years drivinf tractor and trailer on a lot of curvy roads, at speeds of 50 to 70 mph.
Ya I know that is slow but with 80,000 lbs behind me and 60 feet long there does exist some momentum. One can not correct if to fast into a turn with SET UP LIKE I DESCRIBED. Problem is that the inertia at the rear is stronger than you entry speed inertia in the front. Not by much, but when on the edge that trailer likes to whip some...OH YA fun time. I experienced some nightmares after pulling some of these mistakes off. Had lots of time to practice.
All about set up and entry speed with the carve you expect to take> Hit that spot and speed and hold the course, any correction will send vehicle off line and compounded by length and weight will usually be a Bad Day.
Sometimes I have thought that some time driving big trucks would help drivers in other vehicles.
It is a rush to have 60 feet of 80,000 lbs trailing behind your while traveling at the edge and carving a nice sweep 90 degree turn.
Sorry to get off on a tangent.
Thanks to the OP for posting the video, you have the right attitude.
02-28-2011, 06:23 PM
#46
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front bumper,
scratches on fender,
lost fog light,
scratches on headlight,
minor scratches on hood,
scratches down door and rear quarter,
broke drivers mirror too,
trashed carbon fiber splitter
and drivers side carbon fiber skirt
Broke radiator support, can easily be welded on.
Bottom plug on radiator broke backwards, still attached, can probably be welded back on.
Will get a 4 wheel alignment,
will need wiring harness for lights.[/QUOTE]
K that made me laugh.... to me nothing major is like having to rebuild the engine, frame damage, transmission... etc I already did a widebody for fun, so now I just have to replace the front bumper and get some paint work and a lil welding done....
BUT I do see your point if your Kid came home and said that
Thanks for the laugh, I have been beating myself up
02-28-2011, 06:24 PM
#47
Race Director
I know how track excursions can suck, and you'll likely play it back in your mind a few thousand times to analyze. The important thing is that you were not hurt seriously. Too many people seem to forget that, even though it's the most important.
Build your car back up, bigger and better.
Build your car back up, bigger and better.
Thats sucks such a beautiful car. Atleast your ok.
02-28-2011, 06:33 PM
#49
Drifting
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dude - that will totally buff right out 
Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Nearly all of us who track cars for any significant period oftime have been there to one degree or another.
You did have plenty of run-out area on theright there off the line, so if you had more experience you probably could have saved the car by going off line and staying towards track right plus staying off throttle and just coasting it even if you had to go off track a bit, at least there were no walls in that direction. But don't blame yourself at all for making the mistake with your inexperience. Hard lesson. And a C6 is a really challenging car to learn track driving because it is so darn fast so you are pushing speeds that can get out of hand in a real hurry.
Glad you were OK. I got to the point that I stopped taking street cars to the track, although after going all the way up to dedicated spec class racing with NASA, now I am back to the point that my C6 is my only track-capable car and I'm sure it will see some light action at some point... Respect the car! It's a good one, but one that will bite back too!
Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Nearly all of us who track cars for any significant period oftime have been there to one degree or another.
You did have plenty of run-out area on theright there off the line, so if you had more experience you probably could have saved the car by going off line and staying towards track right plus staying off throttle and just coasting it even if you had to go off track a bit, at least there were no walls in that direction. But don't blame yourself at all for making the mistake with your inexperience. Hard lesson. And a C6 is a really challenging car to learn track driving because it is so darn fast so you are pushing speeds that can get out of hand in a real hurry.
Glad you were OK. I got to the point that I stopped taking street cars to the track, although after going all the way up to dedicated spec class racing with NASA, now I am back to the point that my C6 is my only track-capable car and I'm sure it will see some light action at some point... Respect the car! It's a good one, but one that will bite back too!
02-28-2011, 06:34 PM
#50
Drifting
. 
02-28-2011, 06:49 PM
#53
Race Director
The good news is your OK & the car can be fixed...however I'd like to offer a suggestion....
Did you ever try Drag Racing been doing it for 40 + yrs, thousands of trips down the 1/4 mile, & never put a scratch on the Vette..& even won some nice $$$ on several occasions!!
Yes I've gone through a few Transmissions, & rear ends.. but thankfully NO body work !!
Did you ever try Drag Racing been doing it for 40 + yrs, thousands of trips down the 1/4 mile, & never put a scratch on the Vette..& even won some nice $$$ on several occasions!!
Yes I've gone through a few Transmissions, & rear ends.. but thankfully NO body work !!
02-28-2011, 06:56 PM
#54
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Sep 2008
Location: Stafford VA, home of our wolf den. No house break ins to date.
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I was going to Fly Wolfdogs down to Zaino it for me,
I have upgraded from my stock Z51 brakes, I put Z06 brakes, stainless lines, Carbotech pads, and SRF fluid along with High temp silicone brake cooling hose hooked to spindle ducts.
I think it was down to not being able to flush all the old brown fluid out. Thats getting taken care of too.
I have upgraded from my stock Z51 brakes, I put Z06 brakes, stainless lines, Carbotech pads, and SRF fluid along with High temp silicone brake cooling hose hooked to spindle ducts.
I think it was down to not being able to flush all the old brown fluid out. Thats getting taken care of too.
Seriously, damn glad you are ok man... car can be repaired. I know this wont stop you either, I admire your track spirit!!!!!!!!
02-28-2011, 06:59 PM
#55
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The good news is your OK & the car can be fixed...however I'd like to offer a suggestion....
Did you ever try Drag Racing been doing it for 40 + yrs, thousands of trips down the 1/4 mile, & never put a scratch on the Vette..& even won some nice $$$ on several occasions!!
Yes I've gone through a few Transmissions, & rear ends.. but thankfully NO body work !!
Did you ever try Drag Racing been doing it for 40 + yrs, thousands of trips down the 1/4 mile, & never put a scratch on the Vette..& even won some nice $$$ on several occasions!!
Yes I've gone through a few Transmissions, & rear ends.. but thankfully NO body work !!
02-28-2011, 07:02 PM
#56
02-28-2011, 07:10 PM
#57
Team Owner
I have some roadracing experience many years ago (on motorcycles) and while not at the same financial impact, I can certainly sympathize for what you must fee like after that happened.
THANK you very much for handling this with dignity and accepting the consequences!
THANK you very much for handling this with dignity and accepting the consequences!
02-28-2011, 07:22 PM
#58
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The good news is your OK & the car can be fixed...however I'd like to offer a suggestion....
Did you ever try Drag Racing been doing it for 40 + yrs, thousands of trips down the 1/4 mile, & never put a scratch on the Vette..& even won some nice $$$ on several occasions!!
Yes I've gone through a few Transmissions, & rear ends.. but thankfully NO body work !!
Did you ever try Drag Racing been doing it for 40 + yrs, thousands of trips down the 1/4 mile, & never put a scratch on the Vette..& even won some nice $$$ on several occasions!!
Yes I've gone through a few Transmissions, & rear ends.. but thankfully NO body work !!
couldn't have said it any better ... i know my limits and I would have been stringing new combinations together like no tomorrow! Hey man, you've got my respect for the run (passing everyone), the post (humility is a big thing!) and your health!! Time to buy another car ... I suppose the CarFax on yours will also be 'clean'???!!!
Don't plan on selling but if I ever do I will document all the repairs.Thanks Jim, appreciate that,
02-28-2011, 07:30 PM
#60
Go Canes!
David, I am so sorry dude!! Thankfully you weren't hurt! Did this happen the Saturday after I saw you???