Horizontally Opposed Man

There was a pretty scary incident last Friday during FATT.I wasn't there so I won't comment on the details but does anyone know for sure wether or not there is an Armco barrier BEHIND the tire wall on the right of the front straight?TIA HOM

flatsics

Is this what you are looking for?

sbelles

I think he is talking about the other end of the front straight.

Horizontally Opposed Man

Concerned about past pit out on the right

FrankyV

There is no armco on the latter half of the straight but there is an embankment lined with tires after pit out. It has a worse effect, hit it at the wrong angle and you are airborne. I heard there was a fatality there but if so there must a news blackout because it has not been reported anywhere.

mhm993

Posted today on Facebook in HPDE Junkies:

"Anyone hear about the nasty crash at Summit last weekend? Long story short Mustang went off on the straight, rolled a bunch of times, student was OK, instructor was impaled by a 4 x 4 through the bottom of the car and Medivac'd out. Still alive but I've heard nothing else. Best wishes to him and his family. Makes us realize that we are taking risks out there as an instructors and students alike. Be safe"

Let's all be aware of the danger we put ourselves in and the extraordinary chances that are taken by an instructor every time they get into the passenger seat. We all do this because we love it and want to share it. Incidents like this remind us that we should all do the best we can. Best hopes for the injured party.

-- Mindy

Horizontally Opposed Man

What MHM993 posts is basically what I heard from an Instructor who was present last Friday at FATT.In hearing his description of the incident and its serious consequences I thought it was important to find out if the tire wall the Mustang went through was backed up by a proper Armco Barrrier .Apparently it is NOT !I wanted to get this out to the community so others could make an informed decision about running at SP .Good luck to all HOM

BlackTalon

Not sure I get what you are asking, but the tires are up against a concrete wall... It is not just a pile of tires.

I wanted to get this out to the community so others could make an informed decision about running at SP.

ProCoach

Sheesh. This debate has gone on for as long as I can remember. Yes, it's a tough place if you make a mistake. I started in slow cars, now I'm in fast cars and I pay attention 100% of the time there. There have been more fatalities and severe injuries there than on average, IIRC. I think we all assume responsibility every time we go out, and Summit is no different in that regard. But I don't do in-car for just this reason...

Sean F

went off on the main straight? was it at T1 or really on the main straight?

Streak

I've seen several offs turn ugly as people track out a bit too far coming out of T10 onto the main straight and try to jerk the car back onto the track. They end up across the track and into the wall in a hurry.

Watched a hopped up Cayman barrel roll a few times.

Part of knowing the track. There's plenty of grass to drive it gently back on track after track out. It's scary though! And rough.

Do we know the circumstances of the mustang incident? Mechanical?

magnetic1

Going down straight past pit out, driver went to avoid some debris, dropped a couple on left and shot across.... (or so Ive read)

Streak

^^Well that sucks. Hope all recover fully.

tomburdge

I hate even posting this since it comes to me second hand. But in this case a very, very credible second hand so I'd thought you'd like to know

Absolutely no fatality, but instructor did apparently suffer the amputation of a lower extremity body part.

I have no other details so please don't ask.

What you can do is say a prayer for his speedy recovery and rehabilitation.

This is certainly the dark side of our passion so do everything you can to remain safe.

Tom B.

dan212

Oh my god - thats awful.... Hearts out for him and to his family.