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Head on crash in SCCA race

overst33r

overst33r

Diamond Member
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlHfGGgTVsc

SCCAForums.com

David Brand in the Lotus spun in the right-hander going onto the no-name straight.....next through were a few Miatas that were nose to tail, the first went left and the second had no place to go - BAM - head on into the Lotus! The SM Miata of Ken Payson got catapulted into the air and did a complete flip coming to rest on its wheels. Richard Cullen said he had a front row seat when the car went airbourne. I came though a few seconds later and it was like a war zone...yellow flags waving, corner workers frantically running and waving their arms....then the red flag quickly displayed.

They called the race with 6 laps left on the board in lieu of the accident. Both drivers were transported to medical and believe were taken to the local medical facility in Sharon, CT. Upon leaving the track we were told that the Lotus Driver David Brand was released with no major injuries (except to his wallet). As far as Ken Payson, I am not sure if he was released but indications are that he had suffered a broken neck or back (not a 100% confirmed report). Our prayers are with both drivers for a speed recovery.
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http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/372119.aspx

Hope the guy makes a full recovery... Wow.
 
Oh man that looked bad. That's one of those things though, when you push a MR car and tinker with tire pressures and sizes Front to Rear(, snap oversteer tendencies can be increased dramatically (standard sizes are 175 fronts, 225 rears on elises just because of this).

Luckily it seems as both guys will make it out alright.
 
Originally posted by: SickBeast
So why was the Lotus Elise going backwards down the course?
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Snap oversteer is characteristic of MR or RR cars pushed too hard around a corner when braking and thus weight transfer unloads the rear tires to the point where the (comparatively heavy) rear loses grip and tries to swing around to become the front.
 
Originally posted by: mwmorph
Originally posted by: SickBeast
So why was the Lotus Elise going backwards down the course?
Click to expand...

Snap oversteer is characteristic of MR or RR cars pushed too hard around a corner when braking and thus weight transfer unloads the rear tires to the point where the (comparatively heavy) rear loses grip and tries to swing around to become the front.
Click to expand...

also known in the early 90's as Porsche's most favorite thing to do...
 
Just because he got spun around it doesn't mean he had to barrel down the course at high speeds going the wrong direction like that. What an idiot.
 
Doesn't look like he is moving at any speed if at all to me. If he was moving it was just to get turned back around.

The yellow flag was hard to see
 
Just because he got spun around it doesn't mean he had to barrel down the course at high speeds going the wrong direction like that. What an idiot.

If you don't stop trolling in this thread now, you'll have another vacation to go and brag about over on McOwen's forums.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Garage Moderator
 
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Just because he got spun around it doesn't mean he had to barrel down the course at high speeds going the wrong direction like that. What an idiot.
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Read and watch the video. The car was just sitting there. He wasn't "barreling" down the course in the wrong direction. The driver didn't see him and went into the Lotus. It's just a bad accident.
 
Originally posted by: geno
Originally posted by: Skoorb
I love how somebody basically just got killed and they keep on racing.
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Just like in any other race, really.
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The race was redflagged - they didn't keep racing.

Do you expect other drivers to hop out and attempt to render assistance? The track has procedures and people for that, having a bunch of people parking their cars on the race track and running around would be a disaster. How it's setup is really the safest way to deal with accidents - for drivers to keep going unless the race gets red flagged.
 
Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
Originally posted by: geno
Originally posted by: Skoorb
I love how somebody basically just got killed and they keep on racing.
Click to expand...

Just like in any other race, really.
Click to expand...

The race was redflagged - they didn't keep racing.

Do you expect other drivers to hop out and attempt to render assistance? The track has procedures and people for that, having a bunch of people parking their cars on the race track and running around would be a disaster. How it's setup is really the safest way to deal with accidents - for drivers to keep going unless the race gets red flagged.
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Yeah, it's dangerous for you to even get out of your car even if you are in a crash. If the race is red flagged, drivers will stop off the line in sight of a corner worker or pit depending on the track rules. The emergency crews will be already on their way to help the driver(s) involved in the crashes.

It's not safe to stop, get out of your car and run down the track to help somebody. You may get wacked by another car, or worse, the ambulance or tow truck who isn't expecting to see you!

If you are in a crash, you don't get out of your car unless it is on fire, or you are in serious danger of being crushed by some part of the car if you don't get out. If you get out, another driver could have a problem in the same spot you did and smack you. You (hand) signal to the corner workers if you are OK, and wait for tow/ambulance crew to get to you.
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
That Lotus will probably be a total loss. Front clam alone costs $15,000.
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Total loss yeah, but it sure did its job. The fact that both drivers are expected to recover completely is a fantastic testament to the effectiveness of modern safety equipment.

ZV
 
Wow

Recompiled in slow mo using windows moviemaker

Only reason they both survived was because the car going at full speed launched over the front of the turned around car.

Damn lucky.
 
What do you even think as the driver of the Miata who crashed? It's a race track, there's never supposed to be anyone facing you!
 
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