A reminder of what can happen....

[mikelr]

I just got back last night from a two day track event at Pocono raceways East course. There were three other Loti there over the course of the two days.
At the end of the second day the various run groups were completing their final sessions. The last two run groups to run were the Novice and Intermediate I which were actually running together but split into groups A and B.

While group A was on track and nearing the end of their session group B was lined up in the pit lane staged to enter the track as group A exited. With a few minutes left to go a hot foot in a WRX puts two wheels off as he rounds the last left hand turn onto the front straight which is parallel with the pit lane. As he tries to get the car bck onto the pavement, he over corrects and crosses to the infield (left) side of the track and go four wheels off, not addmitting defeat he stays with it and comes back onto the front staight (sideways) and proceeds to go straight across the track (right), across a grass median and into the pit lane, plowing into an Infinity G35 and an Acura NSX which were staging!!!
This same guy had spun off track at least two times prior during the day. I don't know why they were even letting him out there. Most outfits I've run with will have a talk with you after the first spin and end your day if it happens again.

[codymac]

Evo, right?

[mikelr]

Originally Posted by codymac

Evo, right?

Yes, looks that way from the pic. For some reason I thought it was a Scubby, same difference if you ask me

[Eclise]

Wow, how ticked off were the other guys? Check out the back wheel on the NSX.

[Terminus]

Gotta wonder who ends up paying for what after something like this. What are the chances the Subi driver can afford the out-of-pocket repair costs of the Infidity G35 and an Acura NSX?

[Eclise]

Yeah, that was something I was thinking, too. How would insurance work there?

[ZTEC]

Out here on the east coast I instuct with Chinmotorsports.com and if you have an "Off Road Excursion" you are to pit and you have a discussion with the chief instuctor, I can't believe this guy wasn't booted from the event long before this happened. I assume since he was Group "A" he was a novice but don't they require an instructor to be in the car?

[Enigma]

I know I get a lot of grief for my refusal to run with the Golden Gate Lotus Club but its stuff like this that makes me avoid them.

You cannot make these events 100% safe. However, when people are making a lot of mistakes on track like spining off multiple times you can and should pull them in and talk with them. If they keep it up its time for them to leave.

For me out here on the west coast its worth spending the extra $70 more than say a GGLC event to get an event thats well run with good saftey measures in place. This doesn't guarentee nothign will happen but it helps my odds nothing will.

[Blonde1]

In the "something good can always come from something bad" category... I just read this to the better half and said, "you're OK with me sending in that check for the track-day insurance, right?"

Response: "Uh, YEAH!"

[Yeti]

Is there some sort of lesson here about silver cars??

[fastliz]

I read about this on the WRX forum. Major bummer for the two guys staging. Judging by the damage, it's a wonder nobody got hurt.

All three tracks I frequent have a wall between pit lane and the straightaway. And, the clubs will end your day after two "offs."

Mike

[fastliz]

Incidentally... It was an Evo, not a WRX-STi.

Mike

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Yeti

Is there some sort of lesson here about silver cars??

I hope not, first track day of the season is this Thursday.

[fitfan]

Originally Posted by Eclise

Yeah, that was something I was thinking, too. How would insurance work there?

N.Y. is a "no fault state" no matter who did what, your insurance covers you.

[codymac]

Originally Posted by fitfan

N.Y. is a "no fault state" no matter who did what, your insurance covers you.

So that means you wouldn't get blamed for beating on the Evo driver?

[Randy Chase]

Based on a request from a car owner in this incident, I have removed the license plate numbers.

I don't see anything else that is incriminating or a legal problem.

[Surferjer]

I'll get bashed for this, but these incidents and the chance off an "off" in the Elise keep me from going to real track. Property damage from autoxing is extremely rare.

The incident happened in PA, not NY FWIW. But I'd say there is no insurance coverage for anybody from this incident. And the only recourse the two 'victims' probably have is to sue the bad driver. There's a fair chance they'll never get anything either.

[2doorsfasterthanu]

Originally Posted by mikelr

Yes, looks that way from the pic. For some reason I thought it was a Scubby, same difference if you ask me

Yeah they might be the similar to the STI's but you cant drive your 50 thousand dollar toyota powered piece in the snow, can you?

Scorke

[Beanie]

I had two wheels off once not too far from the finish so I just let off the gas and finished going quite slow. If you lose control your nerves will be jangled. Some people are just too aggressive I guess. There are retards out there who should be in an empty parking lot instead.

[mldlaw]

I was there on Friday for my first track day in the Lotus (Storm Titanium). I met you Mike. Your Exige is beautiful.
I have been to track days previously and had to deal with dopes who couldn't follow the rules. But I was impressed with the participants on Friday in the Blue running group. Everyone gave me lots of space - I never had a problem with anyone.

By the way, the Lotus was unbelievable. I drove between 6-8,000 rpm all day and it just asked for more. Then you get in and drive home like it never happened. The car's abilities are beyond my own. I started accelerating out of turns earlier and eariler and the Lotus just at down and stuck. Great fun. I beat that Viper all day!