http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3197431&page=1
Doesn't surprise me at all. I have run 2 solo events in my life and do not plan on ever running one again. Without doubt some of the worse driving I have ever seen and the instructors they have on hand are a joke. Happy to see no one was hurt or killed.
How hard is it to simply provide enough run-off room or plan the event at a safe distance from the spectators and other event cars?
What kind of idiot sets up a course with a slow down / stop lane directly in front of spectators and parked cars? I've done my share of solo events, and I've never seen anything that reckless or outright stupid. They're very lucky nobody got hurt.
Why would you let friend autocross car and why was wreck near parking/staging area? BTW/ just saw a whole driver side of 911 GT2 that's history $$$ (needs fr & rr fenders, door ect., needs everything including new set of race wheels as they're center bolt. (so much for the carb ceram. brakes...) Looks like driver should've learned not to push too hard near guard rail and destroy a sweet ride. I couldn't imagine how he felt. He was not injured so all is well, BUT an expensive lesson...
He was probably trying to left foot brake in an unfamiliar car. Not the smartest thing to do. We all make mistakes, but to try and be a hero in someone else's powerful car is just ...well.
Coming from someone that's run hundreds of autocrosses, I've seen good layouts and bad layouts. Sounds like this was a bad one, too bad it's hard for people that haven't been around it to recognize such things and not enter, or stay away, or, God forbid, make a positive change happen at the event for the benefit of all present! Of course, as was pointed out by some of the experts above, the quality of the volunteer, enthusiast instructors is "a joke" at these events, and one would, of course, have to be "an idiot" to allow your buddy to co-drive your car. Thanks, pal! You know they always say you meet the best people at a racetrack, the kind that will go out of their way to help out & share as needed with a fellow competitor. I guess we can predict who we'll find out there and not... "Now why did I quit coming to Fchat again?"
I wonder if, legally speaking, the GT3 driver is responsible for repairing all of those cars. You do sign waivers stating that you won't sue the organizers, and there is an understanding that racing poses some "understood" risks. Having your car plowed into while parked is not usually an "understood and forseeable" risk. I suspect that the GT3 driver will be getting sued, a lot...
My reading of it was that the Vette crashed into all the cars. I think that owner is the one with some bills to foot. I could be wrong. cheers Ken
The Vette owner drove his friend's GT3 and crashed. Cliff's notes : Vette driver runs the course, doesn't look too steady doing it according to some witnesses. GT3 owner friendly with Vette driver gives him keys to his Porsche. Vette owner loses control of GT3 and wipes out at exit.
Is it just me, or is the GT3 the only car there that should be at a race track? Those econoboxes and sedan (Audi) should be outside the fence.
Econoboxes and Audi's need love too. I was at a car audio contest held in a strip mall parking lot many years ago. Near the end of the show, some guy pulls into the parking lot in a jacked up wannabe monster pickup truck. There was a totalled car in one of the parking places (have no idea what it was doing sitting there), so the pickup truck driver is going to impress everyone by driving up onto the hood of the totalled car. Well, when he gunned it, instead of rolling up onto the hood of the car, he accidently pushed the car - right into a brand new car! DOHH!! How embarrassing!!
+1 As has been mentioned before these events are usually set up and run by volunteers, that means the onus is on YOU to do your own evaluation of safety and set up. Sad to see the carnage, but no injuries, so that's lucky and good!
Just to add some more info but it looks like it happened in the parking lot next to PIR (I wasn't there) you can see the grandstands at the top center, but looks like a big mistake on someones part. How would the insurance work if the Subaru, Celica and others were just watching, which would mean they probably didn't sign the waver? Image Unavailable, Please Login