A punctuated ending to an otherwise great track day. (W/ pics)..
After working on the salvaged C6 since mid December, Amy and I finally got the car finished. Final touches were: Kirkey seats, 6 pt harnesses, fire supression system, and a roll cage / harness bar.
We signed up for Cascade Sports Car Club's school and track day and participated in it yesterday. Although the weather was cold with occasional showers, the day was very enjoyable with Amy receiving instruction from Jon Brobst, and me from Terry McBride. Both instructers are extremely well credentialed with decades of experience.
Patrick stopped by to check out the track car and trailer, and was able to watch Amy's afternoon session as she drove very well in the rain.
Unfortunately, Patrick left before the real excitement...
The sun came out as my session started. With Terry as co-pilot, we completed three laps of the track without incident, spending time focusing on the line around the turn 5, 6, 7 combination that was somewhat problematic for me all day. After we got past the turn 8/9 "kink" I began accelerating hard down the back straight. I was not tucked in tight enough to the right concrete wall and got my left wheels into some standing water still on the track from the previous showers.
Then the excitement began...I corrected to the left, and then to the right, but we got into the water again and spun. Then we got off the pavement and on to the wet grass. I then heard Terry calmly state "Brace yourself, we are going to hit hard."
Which we did, directly head-on into the guard rail. Which now looks like this:
I don't know how fast we were going when we hit, but I had shifted into 4th gear and was accelerating when we hit the water.
Both Terry and I emerged from the wreck "shaken, but not stirred." The emergency workers arrived shortly after and towed us back to the pits. It was a long ride...
We were greeted at the trailer by my lovely wife and a number of workers and participants all concerned for our safety.
Terry and I walked over to the EMT's and were given a quick exam and then sent on our way.
I returned to the trailer to survey the damage.
Amy's comment after seeing this picture: "If you wanted a lawn mower, I would have bought you a John Deere..."
Conclusions I've gleaned so far:
1. Even at a school, proper safety equipment is ESSENTIAL. It will protect you AND your instructor.
2. Putting yourself at risk is one thing, but being responsible for potentially injuring someone else is a miserable feeling.
3. The CSCC workers and volunteers did a fantastic job.
3. The advantage of having a dedicated track car: We still have this..
Someone asked Amy if this would cause us to "re-think this track stuff," her reply was "Hell no! We'll rebuild it and get back to the track as soon as we can."
Breaking your car is bad, but having a wife who gives that kind of support is priceless.
What a experience. Glad to see your OK Todd. You guys are doing what I would do if I could. Get-R-fixed and back out on the track.
Good Luck, Looking forward to a cruise with you guys this summer.
Tom & Gail
Dude, that's such a bummer. I saw your street vette on the 1st part of the Longview cruise (very nice ride,) and am glad you have a dedicated track car to sort out the racing stuff with.
Not what I wanted/expected to see when I came in looking for your report on your first track day. Glad you and the instructor are okay. Learning is fun but can be a bummer sometimes. I'm sure you'll get it fixed and get back in the saddle.
Not what I wanted/expected to see when I came in looking for your report on your first track day. Glad you and the instructor are okay. Learning is fun but can be a bummer sometimes. I'm sure you'll get it fixed and get back in the saddle.
Thanks Rick!
In fact I talked to the instructor, Terry McBride, and his wife today. He is fine, and we were both able to laugh about it. I feel good knowing that he was un-harmed (albeit a little stiff) and willing to be my instructor at the next class that I attend.
Yea, I was thinking about that a couple weeks ago. It has been a long time since we first talked about it. Been a lot going on, amazing how fast time flies. Is there a better time or a bad time to call that number you gave me?
WOW Todd. I didn't expect to read about this. That's too bad about the car, but I'm glad to hear that you and the instructor are OK. Cars don't feel pain like the human body does and can be replaced if totalled. Better luck on the next run.
Rough weekend all around in the Northwest. At Pacific Raceways outside of Seattle we had a couple Porsches rearrange their bodywork, a Subaru that ended up on top of a tirewall, and a BMW that rolled
Glad you're ok.
__________________
Jim
'96 Grand Sport #007
A few mods here and there
AAAAAAAH Maaan!! Major bummer! Hey, thats why we have insurance. At least you are ok! Good luck and hope to see you out this summer for some more cruising. - Damon
AAAAAAAH Maaan!! Major bummer! Hey, thats why we have insurance.
It would be nice if insurance companies covered us at track days in the same way they do out on the streets, but many companies won't do that. Most policies have specific exclusions for anything remotely related to HPDE's or track days.
It would be nice if insurance companies covered us at track days in the same way they do out on the streets, but many companies won't do that. Most policies have specific exclusions for anything remotely related to HPDE's or track days.
I didn't even bother trying to get it insured. We agreed when we bought it that this would be a disposable car if necessary.
Glad you guys are ok. And I am getting second thoughts about taking my car to the tracks now. Can't afford to trash my dream car so soon
Hope you can get it fixed fast and be back on the tracks.
Titus
You definately have to be a bit more prudent, however, these cars are too much fun not to take on a track once in a while. Just stay within your comfort zone and out of standing water at high speeds.
Corvette Store
A punctuated ending to an otherwise great track day. (W/ pics)..
Couldn't agree more. Keep us up to date on the progress.
Glad to see your OK Todd. You guys are doing what I would do if I could. Get-R-fixed and back out on the track.
