It's Time For ALL Of Us To Stop And Think

There have been 3 crashes in the last 6 days, 2 of them fatal. The Lambo crash on the 101, the Porsche crash on Decker, and the Ricer crash on Lindero Canyon that killed a girl (that I knew) that was out jogging at 6:20am. I recently heard an interview with a professional racing driver who spoke about the current horsepower wars and the people who drive these cars. His point was that it really does not make a difference if any of us are driving a stock 350HP C5 Corvette, a 500+ Hp Ferrari Scuderia, or 640 HP Carrera GT.....there are almost (you can probably forget the word "almost") none of us that can drive any of these cars anywhere close to their poential, including those of us who have taken a short driving course at Willow, etc.
If we could, we would be like him...we would be doing it for a living and be paid for it. Furthermore, these cars, unlike any race car that you see in NASCAR, the ALMS, the Indy circuit or F1, are not meant to crash (especially on public roads) at extreme speeds and have the occupants walk away. To the contrary...you crash a Lambo at 100+ on the freeway or street and, most likely, you die. Massive horsepower, big engines, smoking tires and lots of noise is, of course, all ego. And that is fine out at the track. I like it all as much as the next guy or girl, but after all of the unless deaths, resulting from drivers that think they know how to drive, that we all have seen in So Cal in the last number of years, I think it's time to stop and think. Just one man's opinion.

 

Great thread and comments. I think there are times where spirited driving can be safe, but people need to start thinking more about when these times are, and where they aren't.

 

Ego, arrogance & ignorance go hand in hand. Tragic losses none the less but I would make sure I would do my research before posting a comment on all of the recent crashes. Now is not the time. Like it or not buying into a so-called police charity gives some people the impression of vehicle code exemption and that should never be the case. If you thought you got attention with owning a exotic car now, law-enforcement will make sure you get that attention.

 

Ronnie, real interesting you bring this to light. It's even more unfortunate when there are such great people involved. Which usually is the case. I just watched a video on Youtube that Elliot posted awhile back. The driver in the car with Elliot laughs at the error made by the 6.0 driver in front of them. As 'funny' as it was, it still struck me differently. Yes we all live life, but we forget it can be gone faster than we live it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-pi3nu8kyo

 

Sure, just go find an unpopulated road and turn your self into a spot on the road, but try not to take out the family in the minivan on the way to the beach. Take it to the track the street is not a racetrack.

 

Your comments are great and the time is never too late for all of us to take stock of our driving habits. Purchase contracts on ultra high performance cars DO NOT come with SCCA license proficiency. Our prayers are with all the families especially our friend Derek Midollo's (5/24/06). STAY SAFE EVERYBODY !!

 

I actually disagree with this statement. When these cars crash, they do exactly what the manufacturer intended them to do. Perfect example is the enzo crash on PCH. The car did exactly what it was supposed to do, explode into a million piece but leave the cabin intact. That is the reason why he survived.

What many people need to realize is that you need to think about the consequences before you do anything. Those who don't usually end up in a bad situation.

 

Well said.

My first reaction on hearing about the Lambo crash was that it once again confirms to the general public the stereotype that people who drive exotics are reckless.

 

Why not actually race your high horsepower on a race track?
That way, you only endanger the lives of those who acknowledge they are in harm's way.

 

I agree with Ronnie, the weakest link in all these accidents is always the human element, no matter how strong the car or how many airbags etc etc the human body can only withstand so much, a problem formula one engineers have been dealing with for years. Are the cars getting to fast ?, yes and no, I always tell people who criticize me for racing motor biles, saying they kill people. No people kill people. I think anyone who has done a track day or driving school is actually far safer on the roads because they have explored theirs and the vehicles limits and cannot approach that on the street so actually go smoother, more safely and are more aware of there surroundings. I have the fortunate position of driving some of the nicest and fastest cars in the world, but am in awe of there ability's and check the ego at the door. I feel nothing but sorrow for the family's involved in these incidents, and only hope that threads like this spread the word and make us think a little before we go "pedal to the metal", there is a time and a place for everything, and mostly its not on the streets

 

Sorry, I must disagree. The problem is the person, not the cars. And the most problematic are the guys who stick a fart can on a box and think they have a race car.

When I went to school, I had the a hi-po muscle car. My friend had a chevy II that was caged and had a big s/c sittin' on the block. It is the person behind the wheel. The only auto fatality at my school (in 3 years) was the guy who had a scooter and would do quick acceleration with a passenger. He wrapped his moms mid-size car into a pole. Only one muscle car guy got into an accident when someone pulled out in front of him (but he was speeding and not able to stop in time, but missed the car).

 

Slow guys should know their place and almost* always drive slow cars, not Ferraris, Lambos, CGT's or, um, ricers......

IRonically, this message has been sponsored by Filofax.

 

Stopping and thinking.....
Horsepower and speed are certainly part of the equation, yet also certainly a smaller part than weight, inertia, and natural selection. H & S are always mentioned since it's the most well-known characteristic of highly publicized crashes, but a car of any h & s is a deadly weapon when used beyond its & the driver's capabilities. The car has no control over that, but the driver does. I maintain that regardless of the vehicle, the cause of any accident will come down to speed in excess of that safe prior to the moment of impact, and a driver's misjudgement of his own and the car's capabilities. Staying within those capabilites is solely up to the judgement of the driver, and none of us are perfect in that regard whether it's with the throttle, the cup of hot coffee between our legs, or the hot babe in the passenger seat. Race experience has little or no relationship to street driving, as a racetrack has no sideroads, stop signs, pedestrians, or drunken drivers. The implication that the horsepower or speed capability is unsafe creates impressions that are counter to our recreational choices. An unsafe driver will drive unsafely in any automobile. It's truely unfortunate that others are randomly taken by the poor judgement of others, but I steadfastly maintain that it's not "because the car was fast". Just random thoughts.....

 

See now that is what I am talking about. Right on man.

 

Not always an option, even with the "non ricer"

 

When driving these high horsepower exotics, most guys have more car than talent and they forget.

 

can you mark it public??

 

Actually the CGT has 605 hp, other than that I agree with everything you said.

Having and driving any car takes more resepct than the average drivers gives it...and multiply that respect for fast cars....**** will happen. We are human we make mistakes, this will never end. Only safety standards can help us. (and resepct)

 

Accidents happen in both fast and slow cars alike, it can happen in an Enzo or a Camry....but with big horsepower and swift handling so too comes the inclination & temptation to have a bit of fun.

I don't know a person who doesn't "push-it" now & then and occassionally we all scare ourselves a bit. Of 1,000 instances you may get through 999 times just fine, but it's that one time that Ronnie is suggesting we ask ourselves if we really want to encounter. Nothing wrong with that. Scoff at the message all you want, but there's a grieving family and funeral in the days to come and I can't think of anyone who couldn't benefit from thinking twice and reflecting on things every now and then.

 

Not up to me, although I believe it was changed today.

I believe in that 100%. We could die tomorrow, just after making it through today. You have to be appreciative to be here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA

 

Which is exactly the point.......

I find it ironic that a guy who should have never had anything in his garage with more than 3 wheels on it would use the tombstone of a man who perished in a horrific crash (and might have been a member of this board and may very well have next of kin reading this thread) as a soapbox to admonish him for being over matched by his vehicle. How the hell does he know what happened? The guy could have had a blowout or.................?

Very, very crass!

If I were the guy's brother/friend/father, the words "HOW DARE YOU" would be the first out of my mouth if/when I ever saw Ronnie.

 

D
While i agree with the spirit of your comments, I dont think that was Ronnie's point, I think he was just telling everyone to be careful and drive within our limits, of couse we dont have exact details of what happened, and that makes it no less tragic, but it is a warning to all of us.

 

The guy just wants to hear himself talk and endear himself to the other solely image minded slow lane revvers. That's the reason for this thread, as well as the C/P on the other board.....

Bad taste for him to use this as his subject.

 

If you know more than me I will not argue the point

 

All I know is what I read and have heard others say.

Like investigators at accidents or wherever.......