First crash! - LotusTalk

BRTHTAKR · 08-12-2009, 03:24 PM

This plaque pretty much explains it.

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Difficult photo.

Went off after a combination of "small" mistakes. Early apex, looked down, probably lifted at about 100mph. About 500 feet across dry grass to a very effective tirewall. I was relaxed, knew I'd stop.
Body damage, new clam, door, windscreen, paint. Better than ever.
I've got my courage back, and have a better respect for this sport.

It was Valentines Day, GF with me. All worked out great as we traveled to Hypersport near Atlanta to drop the Elise off. Chateau Elan is nice.

cobrabyte · 08-12-2009, 03:27 PM

Lift off = all bets are off. (I know too well

)

Love the shadow box to commemorate the event!

Glad to hear it's back and you're back on the track.

glb · 08-12-2009, 03:32 PM

no idea if it could've helped, but search for Moss Emergency Line.

glad you're ok.

dasmoofler · 08-12-2009, 03:45 PM

There's humor in everything and I'm glad you found it. That plaque is priceless!

RoadDad · 08-12-2009, 04:55 PM

I love the plaque. Very healthy response to a stressful situation.

To save you the angst of a google search, this is what glb was referring to: Could Save Yr AS$? Moss Emergency Line

cokey · 08-12-2009, 05:16 PM

if you lift just for a sec will hitting the gas the right way save you? still learning here..

we get lift throttle un understeer in these cars as well.. some times i will use it.. but i haven't gotten in trouble from it yet

Chili Red · 08-12-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cokey

if you lift just for a sec will hitting the gas the right way save you? still learning here..

we get lift throttle un understeer in these cars as well.. some times i will use it.. but i haven't gotten in trouble from it yet

I think you mean lift throttle oversteer (or trailing throttle oversteer)... Yes you can lift to allow the car to rotate and then get back on throttle and bring the rear back in... It however does take quite a bit of skill to do this properly and it does not work in every situation. You need to develop the skill to know when you can use this maneuver and when not to.

If your going to practice this make sure you do it in a safe place with nothing to hit and no other cars are around you.

cokey · 08-12-2009, 06:44 PM

yea thats the one i was looking for.. lol.. i have used it a few times.. and true u can't use it in every situation...

BRTHTAKR · 08-12-2009, 08:10 PM

I can use lift throttle oversteer in slow turns, and I think that is probably what I instinctively tried back on Valentine's Day. But at 100+ just crossing a big bump...........happened so fast that I'm not sure how many times we went around.

This is not the accident, but same track. Turn 10 is at 1:30 and 3:30

Lotus Elise at Carolina Motorsport Park CMP

I should have hit the dirt on left I guess, but apparently was not willing to accept how deep my trouble was. If I'd kept looking downtrack instead of at the bumps at track's edge that might have helped too.
Darn shame I did not have the camera going

mikester · 08-13-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cokey

if you lift just for a sec will hitting the gas the right way save you? still learning here..

A great place to work on your car control skills is an autocross event, if you haven't gone you should give it a try.

glb · 08-13-2009, 10:24 AM

Yes, and in snow-covered parking lots.

Or..a driving school with slide cars (controlled often by your instructor)

Bonster · 09-17-2009, 03:19 AM

Another great place to work on your throttle steering would be a good old fashioned skid pad -- best if it is nice and wet so you don't wear out your tires.

Breakoff · 09-17-2009, 04:15 AM

Oh boy skid pads are fun! Especially when its someone elses car!

Conan · 09-17-2009, 04:30 AM

My condolences, BRTHTAKR. I can honestly say I know exactly how you feel. It definitely sucks, but if you do this long enough and at a competitive level, it is GOING to happen. Not 'if' but 'when.'

Just remember even the pros crash, so don't feel too bad. Hope you can get everything fixed/replaced and back on the track soon!

plastique999 · 09-17-2009, 04:38 AM

The plaque is a good reminder of humility and the "don't lift" adage...we've all done it at some point.

BRTHTAKR · 09-17-2009, 05:36 AM

I'm back at the same track this weekend. They have a very good skidpad and we have a 50% rain forecast. There will be light traffic at this Palmetto Club event, so I'll have lots of opportunity to practice throttle steer.
As to an earlier post about giving gas after the lift: at that point I needed a parachute.

08-12-2009, 03:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
BRTHTAKR AKA XHILR8N! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Asheville, North Carolina Posts: 1,151 Images: 6	First crash! This plaque pretty much explains it. Difficult photo. Went off after a combination of "small" mistakes. Early apex, looked down, probably lifted at about 100mph. About 500 feet across dry grass to a very effective tirewall. I was relaxed, knew I'd stop. Body damage, new clam, door, windscreen, paint. Better than ever. I've got my courage back, and have a better respect for this sport. It was Valentines Day, GF with me. All worked out great as we traveled to Hypersport near Atlanta to drop the Elise off. Chateau Elan is nice. __________________ Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Leonardo Da Vinci 2005 Elise LRG, Trim Shop interior, full cage, Cup wheels, other stuff. 2007 Toyota Tundra (about 10 cup holders) 2004 BMW X3 (4 small cup holders) 1980 Rover SD1

08-12-2009, 03:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
cobrabyte Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: League City, TX Posts: 198	Lift off = all bets are off. (I know too well ) Love the shadow box to commemorate the event! Glad to hear it's back and you're back on the track. __________________ 2005 Saffron Elise :: Pro-1 Exhaust, Cup Car Airbox w/ TRD filter, Manly Engine Mounts, Shift-I, Bollock, 1/4-turn fasteners, Esta C/F Decklid, de-stuffification, other stuff...

08-12-2009, 03:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
glb Unattractive Nuisance Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chester, NJ Posts: 4,521	no idea if it could've helped, but search for Moss Emergency Line. glad you're ok. __________________ 05 elise (PES chip, SSRs, shift tower mods, Multivex; HID low beams); 05 Corolla XRS; 72 Elan Sprint, 170 hp (Sold) "Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable." G. Orwell. 6. "A bore is a man who deprives you of solitude without providing you with company." - Gian Vincenzo Gravina

08-12-2009, 04:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
RoadDad perfututum futūtor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,019	I love the plaque. Very healthy response to a stressful situation. To save you the angst of a google search, this is what glb was referring to: Could Save Yr AS$? Moss Emergency Line __________________ "Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus. Me... I don't need to. Bite me." -Randy

08-12-2009, 05:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
cokey i'm fast Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: brooklyn ny Posts: 319	if you lift just for a sec will hitting the gas the right way save you? still learning here.. we get lift throttle un understeer in these cars as well.. some times i will use it.. but i haven't gotten in trouble from it yet __________________ BMW steel grey 04' neon srt4 ???hp ???ft lbs pulled the motor myself n rebuilt it.. got my baby back and its running strong. here for the love of the Elise, Exige and gaining the knowledge before I can get my own... my car.. http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f152...ny-pics-62883/

08-12-2009, 03:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
dasmoofler Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SE WI Posts: 3,088	There's humor in everything and I'm glad you found it. That plaque is priceless!

08-12-2009, 06:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
cokey i'm fast Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: brooklyn ny Posts: 319	yea thats the one i was looking for.. lol.. i have used it a few times.. and true u can't use it in every situation... __________________ BMW steel grey 04' neon srt4 ???hp ???ft lbs pulled the motor myself n rebuilt it.. got my baby back and its running strong. here for the love of the Elise, Exige and gaining the knowledge before I can get my own... my car.. http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f152...ny-pics-62883/

08-13-2009, 10:24 AM	#11 (permalink)
glb Unattractive Nuisance Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chester, NJ Posts: 4,521	Yes, and in snow-covered parking lots. Or..a driving school with slide cars (controlled often by your instructor) __________________ 05 elise (PES chip, SSRs, shift tower mods, Multivex; HID low beams); 05 Corolla XRS; 72 Elan Sprint, 170 hp (Sold) "Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable." G. Orwell. 6. "A bore is a man who deprives you of solitude without providing you with company." - Gian Vincenzo Gravina

09-17-2009, 03:19 AM	#12 (permalink)
Bonster I want your keys! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 108	Another great place to work on your throttle steering would be a good old fashioned skid pad -- best if it is nice and wet so you don't wear out your tires. __________________ Bonni Parker ~~~ http://www.team-racing.org "It's not how fast you go, but how big your grin is!"

09-17-2009, 04:15 AM	#13 (permalink)
Breakoff Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4	Oh boy skid pads are fun! Especially when its someone elses car! __________________ 05' Elise, just a few simple cosmetic changes!

09-17-2009, 04:30 AM	#14 (permalink)
Conan with future lotus driver Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,073 Images: 24	My condolences, BRTHTAKR. I can honestly say I know exactly how you feel. It definitely sucks, but if you do this long enough and at a competitive level, it is GOING to happen. Not 'if' but 'when.' Just remember even the pros crash, so don't feel too bad. Hope you can get everything fixed/replaced and back on the track soon! __________________ Yes, it IS my real name. No, I don't look like him. I'm Polish. Polish barbarians are skinny nerds. 2006 BRG Lotus Elise (broken), 2009 Honda Fit (gas miser), 2007 Honda Odyssey (the wife's)

09-17-2009, 04:38 AM	#15 (permalink)
plastique999 Form and Function Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alta Loma, CA Posts: 3,045	The plaque is a good reminder of humility and the "don't lift" adage...we've all done it at some point. __________________ www.FaceNBody.com 2005 Lotus Elise: 2bular decat\GT3 exhaust,HID's,turn signal&rear fins delete, CFside scoops, CFbinnacle,CFcenter console,Zoom CF mirror,APR Aero kit,CF 5-elem. diffuser,Exige mesh,Ohlins DA,RTD brace,RAC 'lites,Toyo R888's,HawkHT10's,CO painted calipers,SS lines,Reverie XC CF seat,Reverie CF steering wheel,Schroth Profi II 6 pt harness,shifter re-Enforcer,Manly mounts, Accusump,Moroso pan,BWR key to BWR S/C! Spec Racer Ford #237

09-17-2009, 05:36 AM	#16 (permalink)
BRTHTAKR AKA XHILR8N! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Asheville, North Carolina Posts: 1,151 Images: 6	I'm back at the same track this weekend. They have a very good skidpad and we have a 50% rain forecast. There will be light traffic at this Palmetto Club event, so I'll have lots of opportunity to practice throttle steer. As to an earlier post about giving gas after the lift: at that point I needed a parachute. __________________ Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Leonardo Da Vinci 2005 Elise LRG, Trim Shop interior, full cage, Cup wheels, other stuff. 2007 Toyota Tundra (about 10 cup holders) 2004 BMW X3 (4 small cup holders) 1980 Rover SD1

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