Ariel Atom Crash --- Bad One - LotusTalk

Karlo · 06-03-2008, 04:43 PM

"Apparently a technical malfunction caused the crash, not so much driver error. Not like we'll ever know for sure obviously. Not too surprising, the driver broke both legs."

PatrickShim · 06-03-2008, 04:50 PM

Wow...

Hope the driver recovers fully soon.

good2go · 06-03-2008, 05:19 PM

Wow! those tubes bent like drinking straws! Speedy recovery to the driver!

kestrel74 · 06-03-2008, 05:23 PM

Apparently happened in Belgium. Didn't even appear to scuff the brickwork !

Sh4rkattk · 06-03-2008, 05:25 PM

Upon closer inspection if there was a passenger he/she prob wouldnt have survived, look at the cage and how its been cut with the jaws of life.

macdady2424 · 06-03-2008, 05:25 PM

Looks like the tubing / cage did it's job. I can't imagine there being much else in front to absorb the impact.

AtomFest · 06-03-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sh4rkattk

Upon closer inspection if there was a passenger he/she prob wouldnt have survived, look at the cage and how its been cut with the jaws of life.

Actually the passenger received less injury than the driver. A broken leg and miscellaneous abraisions. Treated and released from the hospital. The driver received more serious injuries to his legs and will need reconstructive surgery. The car had just returned from significant repairs after an on-track incident. The driver reported that the throttle had sutck in 3rd gear.

Here's a link to his story: Pascal's Orange Atom's Sad Demise

DuffMan · 06-03-2008, 06:58 PM

Just be glad this wasn't a motorcycle, or there would be no survivors.

tvacc · 06-03-2008, 06:58 PM

The only thing I can compare that to is a Caterham. I never saw a Caterham with that much damage even after a end over end roll.

It would give me pause about buying one of these..

AtomFest · 06-03-2008, 07:10 PM

It soesn't get much tougher than head on into a brick wall.

If the engine was redlined in 3rd gear at impact as told by the driver, the speed would have been above 50 MPH, maybe as much as 75. Zero "give" in the concrete curb and brick wall. Not surviveable in most cars.

During AtomFest we interviewed the Atom's creator who is said htat to date, no Atom is known to have rolled. (slightly OT, sorry)

NMRJock · 06-03-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvacc

The only thing I can compare that to is a Caterham. I never saw a Caterham with that much damage even after a end over end roll.

It would give me pause about buying one of these..

Really? I think it stood up amazingly well and protected the driver. If the speed really was 50-70 mph, then two big thumbs up for the Atom.

tvacc · 06-03-2008, 07:47 PM

Well the Caterham has a front engine so the engine absorbs before the foot wells. the Atom just has space.....so there is a difference there.

This is similar to a formula car impact. They should make a carbon fiber front foot area into the cars...somehow braced to take the impact and save the lower legs.

We did a poll several years back on the Sevens lists. I seem to recall there were no fatalities that anyone could remember in a Seven...Lotus or Caterham. I personally have never talked to someone hurt in a Seven.

There are thousands of Seven type vehicles out there. Not too bad, if this casual poll was correct.

NMRJock · 06-03-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvacc

Well the Caterham has a front engine so the engine absorbs before the foot wells. the Atom just has space.....so there is a difference there.

If the engine doesn't deform it's not absorbing any of the impact. It just transfers the energy backward.

I'm not saying the Atom is super-safe. I'm just saying that we don't have much room to talk.

fuse · 06-03-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMRJock

If the engine doesn't deform it's not absorbing any of the impact. It just transfers the energy backward.

I'm not saying the Atom is super-safe. I'm just saying that we don't have much room to talk.

Yep, the engine doesn't usually deform, which is why they design a crumble zone and as it crumbles, the engine is dropped down so it does not get pushed into the passengers while the crumbling absorbs the impact energy.

climb4fun · 06-03-2008, 11:34 PM

Glad passengers have survived.

Nothing happened to the brick wall!

Where the frame tubing on the passenger side did go? ..Maybe they had to cut them out to release the passenger.

tvacc · 06-04-2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMRJock

If the engine doesn't deform it's not absorbing any of the impact. It just transfers the energy backward.

I'm not saying the Atom is super-safe. I'm just saying that we don't have much room to talk.

I have seen several Caterhams with frontal inpacts. Now I dont know the speed...and brick walls are really bad...but the drivers compartment stayed relativly intact. Side impacts while can be bad in Caterham ... I have seen them where there was so much side impact that the side draft carbs became updraft carbs and the driver walked away.

I dont recall any...not have I heard of any bad injuries in a Seven. We did a poll last few years ago...and no one had heard of a Seven driver being killed or seriously injured.

A few Europa drivers....but no Sevens.

This was an informal poll and I am sure that if someone got really hurt they may not be able to respond or might not be on the various lists....but no one knew of anything.

I am not saying the Atom is unsafe....all I am saying is that the frontal impact does seem to encroach on the drivers and passengers feet. Much like a formula car. they should have a strong cell up there. The cars are certainly enough money that this can be a doable thing.

The Elise has a fairly good crush structure and it is only a 50K car. Last I heard the Atoms were quite a bit above that.

Aedo · 06-04-2008, 12:09 AM

Glad to hear that they survived!

climb4fun · 06-04-2008, 12:10 AM

I just read the driver (Pascal) email that he explained what happened. he is in hospital at this moment for a surgery on his better leg.

What an amazing guy!! He kept a positive attitude after his severe accident. That shocked me the most.

He thinks the Atom did a good job absorbing the impact; and he would rather be in Ariel than any other cars, if same accident shall happen again.

'MUST READ' Story!

nockpoint · 06-04-2008, 02:03 AM

Belgium eh? Hopefully the power of Belgian beer will assist Pascal's speedy recovery.

Gizmo3000 · 06-04-2008, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by climb4fun

I
What an amazing guy!! He kept a positive attitude after his severe accident. That shocked me the most.

no surprise, he's probably happy to be alive.
- and high as a kite on painkillers!

06-03-2008, 04:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Karlo Good Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 79	Ariel Atom Crash --- Bad One "Apparently a technical malfunction caused the crash, not so much driver error. Not like we'll ever know for sure obviously. Not too surprising, the driver broke both legs." __________________ . www.Six-River.com Turbo cars are like hot women. A little edgy, every guy wants one, some guys can't handle them, and if you throw a little alcohol in them they'll rock your world.

06-03-2008, 04:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
PatrickShim How you doin'? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,199	Wow... Hope the driver recovers fully soon. __________________ '06 Lotus Elise (Laser Blue/Black/Sport-Pack/Touring-Pack/Hardtop/TRD airbox/Stage-II Exhaust) - VIDEO

06-03-2008, 05:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 9,268	Apparently happened in Belgium. Didn't even appear to scuff the brickwork ! __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Nitron Sport SA / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ChaseCam / V1 / SS lines w/ R4-S "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

06-03-2008, 05:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sh4rkattk A pound at a time. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: LA SFV Posts: 559	Upon closer inspection if there was a passenger he/she prob wouldnt have survived, look at the cage and how its been cut with the jaws of life. __________________ 07 Exige S - PhB., TP, TP, LSD, S111 Rear Panel Delete, 2Bular De-Cat, 2Bular 8x24 Burnt GT3, Custom AEM Intake, 6k HID's, Schroth 4pt ASM Harnesses, Milled Steering Arms, Bronze Volk TE37 w/ RE-01R's, Carbon Craftsquare Mirrors, Carbon Front Lip, Benetec Dry Carbon Undertray/Diffuser

06-03-2008, 05:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
macdady2424 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 1,310	Looks like the tubing / cage did it's job. I can't imagine there being much else in front to absorb the impact. __________________ 225 TTQC & 05 Elise

06-03-2008, 05:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
good2go Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Downtown LB, California Posts: 497	Wow! those tubes bent like drinking straws! Speedy recovery to the driver!

06-03-2008, 06:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
DuffMan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 54	Just be glad this wasn't a motorcycle, or there would be no survivors.

06-03-2008, 06:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
tvacc Head LOONY Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 2,210	The only thing I can compare that to is a Caterham. I never saw a Caterham with that much damage even after a end over end roll. It would give me pause about buying one of these.. __________________ Tony Vaccaro 2005 Ardent Red, Katana Supercharger, Touring, Hardtop, Driving Lights, HIDs, Rear Window Shield, Red Mounts, Laser Shifters, V1, LETSLA Shifter, www.lotusowners.com LOONY (Lotus Owners of New York) and the Church of the HolyLotus Supplier of Polycarbonate Shield for Rear Window IN STOCK , Drive Fast Take Chances

06-03-2008, 07:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
AtomFest Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Arkansas Posts: 33	It soesn't get much tougher than head on into a brick wall. If the engine was redlined in 3rd gear at impact as told by the driver, the speed would have been above 50 MPH, maybe as much as 75. Zero "give" in the concrete curb and brick wall. Not surviveable in most cars. During AtomFest we interviewed the Atom's creator who is said htat to date, no Atom is known to have rolled. (slightly OT, sorry) __________________ Organizer of AtomFest - October 2007 =============================== Ariel Atom 245 (2) Corvette C6 FFR Cobra 4.6 S/C Mustang Cobras '94 (580 HP) '03 (535 HP)

06-03-2008, 07:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
tvacc Head LOONY Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 2,210	Well the Caterham has a front engine so the engine absorbs before the foot wells. the Atom just has space.....so there is a difference there. This is similar to a formula car impact. They should make a carbon fiber front foot area into the cars...somehow braced to take the impact and save the lower legs. We did a poll several years back on the Sevens lists. I seem to recall there were no fatalities that anyone could remember in a Seven...Lotus or Caterham. I personally have never talked to someone hurt in a Seven. There are thousands of Seven type vehicles out there. Not too bad, if this casual poll was correct. __________________ Tony Vaccaro 2005 Ardent Red, Katana Supercharger, Touring, Hardtop, Driving Lights, HIDs, Rear Window Shield, Red Mounts, Laser Shifters, V1, LETSLA Shifter, www.lotusowners.com LOONY (Lotus Owners of New York) and the Church of the HolyLotus Supplier of Polycarbonate Shield for Rear Window IN STOCK , Drive Fast Take Chances

06-03-2008, 11:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
climb4fun WTF Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: N.VA Posts: 712	Glad passengers have survived. Nothing happened to the brick wall! Where the frame tubing on the passenger side did go? ..Maybe they had to cut them out to release the passenger.

06-04-2008, 12:09 AM	#17 (permalink)
Aedo anglophile in exile Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 2,514 Images: 88	Glad to hear that they survived!

06-04-2008, 12:10 AM	#18 (permalink)
climb4fun WTF Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: N.VA Posts: 712	Pascal's front collision w/Ariel Atom I just read the driver (Pascal) email that he explained what happened. he is in hospital at this moment for a surgery on his better leg. What an amazing guy!! He kept a positive attitude after his severe accident. That shocked me the most. He thinks the Atom did a good job absorbing the impact; and he would rather be in Ariel than any other cars, if same accident shall happen again. 'MUST READ' Story!

06-04-2008, 02:03 AM	#19 (permalink)
nockpoint Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 814	Belgium eh? Hopefully the power of Belgian beer will assist Pascal's speedy recovery.

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