A lesson learned. (Story, picts..what else do you want??)
06-26-2007, 06:07 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
A lesson learned. (Story, picts..what else do you want??)
I’d like to share a lousy experience I had about a month ago. I hope some people can take something from this story.
Disclaimer: Keep in mind this story and first few picts are literally making me nauseous.
My severe lack of judgment and overall lapse of sensibility came upon me one warm May Friday night. I let stupidity and a bit of recklessness take control for a few seconds which ultimately lead to the severe punishment of my beloved ’03 Z06. With TC off, I rounded a corner fishtailing to the right, pulled it into second as she swung over to the left. Fun turned to instant crap as the car drifted into the opposite lane of traffic. I let off, tires (tacky gumbo by now) hooked incredibly and launched me off my side of the road. In between the guardrail and street sign I went; as they say in golf, "into the drink".
I bought the Z roughly a year ago. I’ve been obsessed with Corvettes since I was very young; spotting classics on the road and asking my father what year they were to hone in my recognition. This car is my dream car and there’s not a day that I’m not in it, washing, waxing, drooling that I don’t stop to think how fortunate I am to have it.
Both doors, now held shut by a wall of mud, would not open at this point. I realized I was A-OK (luck, divine intervention, both, you decide) and put down the drivers side window and exited the car in NASCAR-like fashion (much to my dismay.) The car was eventually winched out of the swamp with an orchestra of creaks, moans, and groans from both the Z and I. It was hauled to a local GM-certified body shop, soaking wet, caked with mud; winking with one headlight in the upright position as to say “good job dumb_ss.” I was hauled back to my home by my girlfriend to dry heave, shower off what seemed to be 50lbs of mud and make the dreaded call to the insurance company to report my very first accident. The rest of the night all I could do was think of what happened and worse, what could have happened.
I could have hurt others. I could have hurt myself. I could have totaled the car (did I?) I could have this and I could have that. However, I didn’t and it was solely by the grace of the big man and luck that I didn’t. Now I could give you all my prior driving experience with my past GTO, Camaro, dirt bikes and four wheelers but that’s BS at this point. I’ve experienced burnouts, high-speed in this (and other) cars in the past, however, Vettes are the ultimate in handling, speed and (at times) traction. Treat them that way. For 5 seconds I didn’t and luckily, only ended up in a ditch.
It took about a month and a half to get the Z back. The downtime gave me time to surf for some small (low dough) mods (don’t forget my deductible) and continue work on the house. Luckily, Faulkner of West Chester (PA) did and outstanding job on the car. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
In the drink:
I can't look:
Somehow she didn't drink:
Bodylines:
The work begins:
I stopped taking pictures due to projectile vomitting at the sight of my car. At one point (during my weekly visits) the car had old beat-up original C5 wagon wheels, stripped and looking more like a boxwood derby car.
Shes back:
Thought I'd share. As I said hopefully someone can take something from this. I was lucky enough to get away only with a dent in my pride (and wallet) yet learned an EXTREMELY valuable lesson.
Be careful out there.
Disclaimer: Keep in mind this story and first few picts are literally making me nauseous.
My severe lack of judgment and overall lapse of sensibility came upon me one warm May Friday night. I let stupidity and a bit of recklessness take control for a few seconds which ultimately lead to the severe punishment of my beloved ’03 Z06. With TC off, I rounded a corner fishtailing to the right, pulled it into second as she swung over to the left. Fun turned to instant crap as the car drifted into the opposite lane of traffic. I let off, tires (tacky gumbo by now) hooked incredibly and launched me off my side of the road. In between the guardrail and street sign I went; as they say in golf, "into the drink".
I bought the Z roughly a year ago. I’ve been obsessed with Corvettes since I was very young; spotting classics on the road and asking my father what year they were to hone in my recognition. This car is my dream car and there’s not a day that I’m not in it, washing, waxing, drooling that I don’t stop to think how fortunate I am to have it.
Both doors, now held shut by a wall of mud, would not open at this point. I realized I was A-OK (luck, divine intervention, both, you decide) and put down the drivers side window and exited the car in NASCAR-like fashion (much to my dismay.) The car was eventually winched out of the swamp with an orchestra of creaks, moans, and groans from both the Z and I. It was hauled to a local GM-certified body shop, soaking wet, caked with mud; winking with one headlight in the upright position as to say “good job dumb_ss.” I was hauled back to my home by my girlfriend to dry heave, shower off what seemed to be 50lbs of mud and make the dreaded call to the insurance company to report my very first accident. The rest of the night all I could do was think of what happened and worse, what could have happened.
I could have hurt others. I could have hurt myself. I could have totaled the car (did I?) I could have this and I could have that. However, I didn’t and it was solely by the grace of the big man and luck that I didn’t. Now I could give you all my prior driving experience with my past GTO, Camaro, dirt bikes and four wheelers but that’s BS at this point. I’ve experienced burnouts, high-speed in this (and other) cars in the past, however, Vettes are the ultimate in handling, speed and (at times) traction. Treat them that way. For 5 seconds I didn’t and luckily, only ended up in a ditch.
It took about a month and a half to get the Z back. The downtime gave me time to surf for some small (low dough) mods (don’t forget my deductible) and continue work on the house. Luckily, Faulkner of West Chester (PA) did and outstanding job on the car. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
In the drink:
I can't look:
Somehow she didn't drink:
Bodylines:
The work begins:
I stopped taking pictures due to projectile vomitting at the sight of my car. At one point (during my weekly visits) the car had old beat-up original C5 wagon wheels, stripped and looking more like a boxwood derby car.
Shes back:
Thought I'd share. As I said hopefully someone can take something from this. I was lucky enough to get away only with a dent in my pride (and wallet) yet learned an EXTREMELY valuable lesson.
Be careful out there.
Last edited by Covert 405; 06-26-2007 at 06:25 PM.
06-26-2007, 06:15 PM
#2
Glad to hear you're okay. One can kick and scream about their pride and joy getting damaged...but at the end of the day...its just great that no one got hurt.
That is something you live with for a long time.
Looks like they did great work on it...
That is something you live with for a long time.
Looks like they did great work on it...
06-26-2007, 06:17 PM
#3
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Member Since: Nov 2003
Location: Wylie TX
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The most important thing is that no one was hurt or worse. As far as loosing your senses for a few seconds, we all do it from time to time. Your baby looks as good as new!!!
06-26-2007, 06:21 PM
#5
Team Owner
Good thing no one got hurt, things happen. Why did you have TC off?
06-26-2007, 06:24 PM
#6
Pro
Thread Starter
06-26-2007, 06:30 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
The car: I say none he worst and looking good.
You: Lesson learned and be thankful.
Thanks for sharing. We all need to learn to be respectful of ourselves and our ride. However, that doesn't mean we can't have FUN!...............
You: Lesson learned and be thankful.
Thanks for sharing. We all need to learn to be respectful of ourselves and our ride. However, that doesn't mean we can't have FUN!...............
06-26-2007, 07:00 PM
#10
Drifting
Quite a story, thanks for swallowing your pride and sharing it, we can all learn something from your experience. And I'm very glad to see that she looks as good as new, I hope you enjoy it for many years to come. 
06-26-2007, 07:08 PM
#11
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Plano Texas
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CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
The good news:
You survived - many others have not when doing much the same thing.
You got a reprieve - don't waste it.
You survived - many others have not when doing much the same thing.
You got a reprieve - don't waste it.
06-26-2007, 07:17 PM
#12
Race Director
Thankfully - you made it, and the car was repaired. As the others have pointed out, maybe someone here will learn from your difficult and costly lesson. Unfortunately - the only thing that came to mind during your recounting is the recent numerous discussions about traction control and active handling. Maybe one of the bold individuals that so "wisely" said that these systems are "too limiting and intrusive" and turn both off as soon as they enter the car and start it will read your post and think twice.
These cars can be a real handful for the majority of us that are not professional and professionally trained drivers.
Thanks for sharing and best of luck to you moving forward.
These cars can be a real handful for the majority of us that are not professional and professionally trained drivers.
Thanks for sharing and best of luck to you moving forward.
