that's it no more john hunt for me

[Erv]

BEFORE

AFTER


this happened at the National council of corvette clubs low speed auto x

The car didn't get upset by the dip in that first turn, and didn't have any issues coming up to the slalom. But it was at the right hander past the first gate that things went wrong. Judging from the skid marks, it looks like the car was oversteering from the left rear, then launched into the ditch, catching the bottom of the ditch with the front nose, which flipped the top of the car onto the wall of the ditch, the force of the impact launching it spinning in the air, and finally landing on its wheels facing the track again.

I was so glad to see the driver out of the car and walking around helping to pull his car out of the ditch. The car looked like a mess with the a-pillar and top of the car pushed over from the impact on the roof, but Zeke from Corvettes Unlimited mentioned that he's seen worse get put back together. The driver's side top and a-pillar must have absorbed considerable forces as the car landed on the roof and flipped back into the air, but you couldn't tell from the damage as they were barely pushed down and crushed. Zeke mentioned the entire windshield cowl, a-pillars, and the top are just bolt-on sections of the car, so replacing them is a snap. Then it's just checking the frame, which looked solid, and replacing the composite body panels. It sounds like this car will be back on the road in no time.

The owner/driver from Tennessee was obviously upset, and had a bit of a sore shoulder. But judging from the marks on his helmet and the condition of the cockpit, his safety gear, performance seats, and racing harness did their job at keeping him safe. I was relieved to see him help put his car on his trailer and get ready for the drive home. I don't ever want to see someone get hurt racing here. Cars can be replaced--people can't.

[mpcavana]

Why are you posting this as a condemnation of the John Hunt site?

Driver error happens, in an autocross or on the road. Did you have the public road closed as unsafe when you had an accident a while back?

It's a shame that the Corvette Club had this happen since TAC ran two events the weekend before without a problem.

[edtype1]

WOW...glad the driver wasnt hurt. Your right mpcavana, shit does happen....

I guess thats too much car for him, huh...

[Cholewa]

+1

You can't blame a site for an out of control driver. Let's not forget that piloting 400rwhp isn't an easy task either, whether the pavement is baby's butt smooth or brc chunky.

[dsp_autocrosser]

NCCC also had a car spin at the finish and clip a car in grid. Driver Error, Course Design, Course Speed and probably even cold tires (it was COLD that weekend) - all probably played a part in these two incidents.

Glad he was OK too.

[EvoLady]

Very glad he is ok! Thats scary when a car flips. Sometimes you have to pay big to play. Things happen thats why we do all that we can to make our courses safe but in the end its up to the driver to bring the car back to the finish safely.

[aufoxy]

Glad the driver is alright. JHP is a good site, one accident is not a reason to never visit there again. There are many factors that play into an accident at an autox, however the quality of the site usually is not one of them.

[Erv]

OMG, it was a joke and more of a warning... that even in a controlled environment, things can go awry... I remember when a teal miata went into the ditch at Milton Frank, yet I still run there.

and of course Mike, I never go anywhere without getting the LEO's to shut down the road for my personal usage. Doesn't everyone do that?

[Flying Dutchman]

Qusetion

Were any of the course workers endangered/injured by this incident? After the driver's safety, my second thoughts were with the folks out there working the course.

[claym]

I have personally seen a VW Scirocco and a Ford Focus flip at SCCA autocrosses on R compounds. Since then, I have owned 2 Sciroccos and, well, you know my addiction to R compounds. I know that people can do stupid things with good products (and areas), so I take that into consideration. I am not sure if the Vette or Porsche clubs have safety stewards (like the SCCA), but accidents do happen. At ANY auto event, people can overdrive their car and become involved in an accident. Driver education, safety programs, and some common sense can eliminate most problems. MOST aircraft crashes are due to pilot error, and not other problems. And not avoiding dangerous situations is considered error.

I have been to several events with features that I felt may be a safety issue, and I have set up several courses that people have questioned also. That is your right AND responsibility to do.

If you see something unsafe at an event, bring it to the attention of the safety steward, course designer, or event chairman. It will usually be discussed and remedied if necessary. If you still feel it is not safe, then do not run the event!

[Vfastcaddy]

I was there a few weeks later when this same club ran again at JHP. Samir was there again and told me about the 'Vette that went into the ditch. They claimed that the new course they were using was slower and safer. Samir said it was definitely slower.

Well, those 'Vette folks really love their speed, because I thought they were still going way too fast for that site. I think they were doing 90 mph or more at the finish line. They were also approaching that speed in the old taxi lane, which is much too narrow, in my opinion, for speeds like that, with grass on one side and a ditch on the other. They obviously do not have the same course setup rules as SCCA. No way even the "slower" course I saw would ever be approved by an SCCA safety steward.

[Vfastcaddy]

More info: I thought the C6's were at redline in 3rd at the finish, and almost that in the taxi-way. According to specs found on the internet, that would put them over 100 at the finish and over 90 in the taxi-way.

I watched this same group one time last year. The course was fast, compared to SCCA autocross, but at least 10 mph slower at the finish and quite a bit slower in the taxi-way.