View Full Version : Sickening
KyzrSoze
09-04-2005, 07:29 AM
I found this article in a magazine, and after an exhaustive search finally found some photos online.
A question: What do these cars have in common?
1964 Corvette Convertible
1967 Camaro
1969 Camaro
1969 Pontiac Trans Am
1969 Corvette
1965 Corvette
1970 Mustang Boss 302
1966 Corvette
Shelby Cobra (real – not a replica)
Answer:
They are part of a list of 17 cars involved in a vintage racing crash at Road America in July. The total loss as estimated by appraiser David Kinney – over $2 million. :eek:
Check out the photos in this gallery (http://www.pbase.com/atrltd/bric2005) .
http://mk31.image.pbase.com/v3/76/44376/1/46317629.bf071705031.jpg
Justin Martin
09-04-2005, 08:30 AM
Wow, that's alot of cars. I'm assuming someone spun at about the start/finish line area, then all the cars coming over the hill couldn't seen them in time to brake? If so, makes me wonder what was going on with the corner workers....
Edit: nevermind, I now see the comments section at the bottom of the page.
KyzrSoze
09-04-2005, 11:49 AM
For those who have not or don't want to read through all the opinions on that page, here is basically what happened:
I have only seen this track in TOCA RD2, but if you are familiar with the Road America track, you will will remember turn 15, the final right hander before you head uphill and into the straight and the start/finish line. The cars were just finishing the formation lap, and the formation was not very tight. The green flag was waved as the polesitters were about 40 feet away from the starting line, and rear of the formation was just rounding turn 15 and heading uphill, unable to see the leaders. Apparently, midpack racers accelerated to race speed out of turn 15 in an attempt to tighten the formation or to catch the polesitters that they couldnt see over the hill, assuming that the green had been waved. Meanwhile the leaders were slowing to tighten the formation before the green flag. Track officials waited for the formation to tighten before waving the green. The result was a domino effect as the first rear end collisions blocked the track and other racers charged over the hill to catch up, finding only a pile of cars in their path. :o
Racers and track officials are pointing fingers at each other, with the racers claiming that the green flag was waved later than usual. Track officials say so what - watch for the flags and dont start to race until you see the green. They also point out that the red flag was waved within 10 seconds after the green, but that racers ignored the red and piled over the hill in a frenzy catch up. :confused:
I was at the track a couple weeks ago for the ALMS event. I think the vintage race took place a month or two ago.
I can see it happening, sure. Something happens beyond that hill and down at the last corner you can't see it... that's the longest straight on the whole track (although I don't think it's quite the fastest.. the next straight, between turns 3 and 5, is mostly downhill. Although it's shorter, you accelerate a lot quicker).
Anyway, that's a shame to see a wreckage of such great old cars. I've seen a number of those very same SVRA vintage cars holding a couple races during the 12 Hours of Sebring week (well, Wednesday through Saturday). They are VERY neat to see in person. Lots of great old machines. If I'm not mistaken, a Jaguar E-Type or two was involved in that crash. One of which says "Predator" over the back wheels. That one in particular I remember seeing at Sebring. Most of the cars involved in the accident there I did not see. But one or two I do recognize. Damn shame. They are fine pieces of machinery.
That's horifying, but carsinbans is a more upsetting website for me.
I think you mean http://www.carsinbarns.com/ ,VQ. :'(
Yes, it's is nasty to lose those oldies, but that sort of thing should be expected at some point. =((
Remko
09-05-2005, 12:43 PM
Ouch, what a mess. =((
I understand no one was really hurt (though the photos show some drivers getting a neck brace, just in case), thankfully.
on a slightly related subject, here's another eye-watering photo:
http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2005/08/stories/17/images/4/large.jpg :teary:
From Top Gear article: "Dukefest" (http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2005/08/stories/17/1.html)
Ouch, what a mess. =((
I understand no one was really hurt (though the photos show some drivers getting a neck brace, just in case), thankfully.
on a slightly related subject, here's another eye-watering photo:
http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2005/08/stories/17/images/4/large.jpg :teary:
From Top Gear article: "Dukefest" (http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2005/08/stories/17/1.html)
Looks like someone thought that the jumps performed in the Dukes of Hazzard could be pulled off without seriously damaging the car... I mean hey, it worked on TV!
They went through about 10 or 20 69 and 70 Chargers because of that movie, yes I forgot the "r" in barns, typo's happen....