isamu

I zipped down to the autox today and got some runs in, time only since for some reason they had me not eligable for nov, oh well I didn't ask. But the weather was crazy, spots of hard rain and lightning. They even postponed it for about 15 minutes to let it pass. After a decent downpour a Z06 went off course and high centered on the curb in the bushes. The back drivers side tire got mushed and ended up pointing in the direction of the passengers seat. The car had to be hauled off on a flat bed. Pretty crazy.

Jerk_Racer

Ouch! That's why I love Bremerton. Nothing to hit unless you go way off the track. Way the hell off the track. I've only seen one car die out there. But the driver is an idiot that doesn't belong the wheel of a car. He's just super rich and can laugh off wrecking his Boxster.



Not eligible for Novice? WTF? It usually takes about two seasons for that to happen. Hell, if Jim's Detail Shop or even SCCA has anything to do with the event it's usually not a lot of fun for me.



Man, I need to get my 7 fixed so I can get out there and race again.

isamu

Well, it was good seat time anyways.

Funny thing is I was working a station while the zo6 wrecked, and right before that they had a small delay do the timing box not working so we were all talking some about accidents. One of the guys mentioned that Porsche that hit a stump or something out at Bremerton. Another guy mentioned an mr2 that had wrecked in the same place as the z06 ending up wrecking.

It ended up being a long day since we had to waite for the tow truck. It didn't get over until after six.

rx7machine

Auto crossing sounds dangerous..

Leetheslacker

Only if the cones are explosive.

TYSON

My car fell flat on it's face coming out of the start box. Didn't make it to the first corner under power, but it boosted fine on the way there and the day before. Something wrong with the ignition.



Lucky it did, some old dumbass in his Buick drove over our barrier and onto the course just after I started.



We had a couple of spin outs and some guy went of course and couldn't find his brake pedal Our parking lot is very big and there is nothing to hit, other than 3 concrete light standards that we use for marshalling stations.



Wish it had better pavement, though. We should sweep it before the next event.

Jerk_Racer

Yeah, that Porsche that died out at Bremerton did not hit a stump. It made a stump. I was there when it happened waiting for my run. This moron was two spots ahead of me. I did not see it happen as the car in the starting box in front of me obscured my vision. All I saw was the guy at the starting line go "Oh no. OH NO! OHH NOOO!!!". Then I looked towards the Porsche and only saw a steam cloud rise up out of the woods. He went straight into the woods about 50' and center punched a 6" thich pine tree. As the Boxster was pulled out by a wrecker the tree fell over to the side. This car was very fixable. The radiator was dead but the headlights were still good. The tree went about a foot into the front end. I'm surprised by how well it took the hit.



How this driver did it? Not sure. Nobody seems to know for sure. It looked like he pointed the car into the forest on purpose. He had no reason to be going that fast and in that direction at that point on the track. It was weird. The driver is a rich puke. Two seasons ago he spun his new (at the time) Z3 into the woods at almost the same spot during the 2001 Slush Series #1. It was very wet and slushy out and he was the first RWD car out on the course for the day. He made a poor tire selection (shaved Victoracers in the sloppy wet?!?) and paid for it. The car came out just a little bit dirty that time. This time his new Boxster was totaled. He was laughing about it and saying how it was about time he got a new S4 to race with.



He wound up getting insurance to cover it. I guess he is covered if he has a mishap at a driving school and this was claimed as one.



Pukes like that need >edited by moderator<. He though it was funny and the rest of the run group lost a whole run because we had to wait for a wrecker due to his careless ***. The world has to revolve around him I guess.



Cool thing about the Porsche Boxster (and possibly other Porsches but I wouldn't know) that there is a bolt hole right behind the rear license plate. This is used for the tow hook. The wrecker threaded an eye hook into the hole and used that to pull the car out. Those wacky German engineers think of everything.



No, autocross is not dangerous by itself. But it can be if there are retards behind the wheel.

Jims5543

A friend of mine just t-boned a retaining wall in Sebring at a special Autocross event. He admitted it was total driver error. We went pretty far to hit the wall to. Autocross it not dangerous. There have been incidents over the years but for the most part it is very safe.



His insurance paid for the damage but now there is an insurance rider that will deny any Honda Prelude (what he was driving) from being able to make a claim from an accident during a motorsport event of any kind including schools.



I believe Corvettes have the same restriction.

Goodfellafd3s

So you're telling me that nationwide Honda Preludes are getting screwed b/c of your buddy's accident?

PedalFaster

Hey. I'm the guy you're saving your bullet for -- the guy mentioned above who totaled his Boxster. Jerk Racer (your words, not mine, although I have an opinion on the subject), I've got a lot to say about your recounting of the event, but before I get to that, I have a challenge for you. Why don't you come to the Bremerton National Tour in two weeks and try to beat my time? Bring any car you can lay your hands on; hell, I'd let you drive my car if it wasn't already spoken for. If you can beat my times, I'll give you $200 cash. If I beat your times, you owe me $200 cash. Deal? If not, then maybe you should check your facts before opening your mouth next time.



isamu, unfortunately parts of both of our Bremerton and Everett sites suffer from a lack of runoff room. Still, when you compare the number of runs we have every year to the number of incidents, the odds for going home safe are pretty good. Don't let a few isolated crashes discourage you. Keep in mind the two cardinal rules, though -- "don't try to save the run" and "drive within your limits". Be extra careful when it's wet, too; all of our incidents seem to happen when it's raining.



Ok, disclaimers about my specific situation follow for anyone who cares -- scroll to the next post if you don't. Thanks everyone for your time.



Actually, it was a fast (around forty mph) slalom. I applied too much power exiting the slalom, broke the rear end loose, and went off the tarmac while trying to catch the car (there were only around five yards between the slalom cone and the edge of the pavement, which isn't much when you're going forty and it's wet). Dumb mistake? Definitely. My fault? Definitely. Idiocy? Not according to a current national champion who mailed me after the fact to say that he looped his Z06 in the same spot at a previous Tour.



Although that would be nice, I'm afraid it's not the case. I'm driving a much cheaper car now, and not by choice.



Actually, that was my codriver. Good effort on the whole accurate reporting business, though.



You might be surprised to learn that I wasn't very happy to have totaled my car. However, I figured I could either a) throw a big fit, or b) suck it up and deal. I chose (b), and I also sent a thank you / apology mail to the Northwest Autocross list afterwards. Would you have preferred that I freak out instead?



As for the world revolving around people, when the aforementioned Z06 wreck happened, I lost all of my runs. Did I complain? No, of course not -- what right would I have to complain about the minor inconvenience when she trashed a really nice car? But your situation was different, I'm sure.



Actually, the insurance company spoke with the event chair, then I gave them a recorded statement; afterwards, they decided to honor my claim.



Well, you're being called on it, big guy.



Steve

- '01 Honda S2000, SCCA B Stock #68