Ferrari 360 Structural damage analysis

I think so. If you look at #2 there is a "wedge" out of the top aluminum beam that suggests in the accident it bends upward while that point bends laterally or inward.

 

Why are you tying to analyze this? Insurance will likely total the car.

 

Repairable if you know how but not an easy one.

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Thinking of just using cable ties on my rad to the frame it saves weight and pops off under impact saving the rad. Glad no serious damage to yourself the car can be fixed.

How did it happen?

 

Prattcally all the Challenge cars have been stuffed, and they get repaired. But that Aluminum is tricky to get right.

So, what's the story that goes with the wreck?

 

That is probably how it would be fixed properly by a professional anyway.

That's what I would do.

Also, quick question....

Does the car still drive straight and feel good?

If so, just leave it. Fit some panels and that radiator and go racing.

 

Ok, can you just make a longer bracket or something underneath to make the front bar fit and look decent?

It's going to be A LOT of work to weld that new section in to get it all straight and you might bend it again next week.

If you're know what I'm saying.

 

to the OP - I read your thread re "losing confidence", and the advice up there is good.

On the damage, if it makes you feel better, we've seen plenty of Challenge cars with the entire nose of the car forward of the bulkhead sheared off....and in a couple cases, the car raced the following day (after a LONG night in the body shop!)

First thing, find the right shop who knows how to fix this and work properly with aluminum. Ideally there is a good Challenge team close enough, would be worth having them quote the work or perhaps point you in the right direction to get it done. There are plenty of shops in the US (most are in California, or Florida) that have done this many, many times (unfortunately)

Second, you need to get that fixed, and fixed properly....for both structural support on the front end and for SAFETY.....the bending/shearing helped save your bacon. (I enjoyed a 55g impact, similar angle to you, in a Challenge car....bent aluminum can be beautiful. HANS and Halo seat saved my life.) The repair needs to straight and the welding perfect.

The annoying part is likely to be getting the parts for the rad cage and all the various brackets, I"m unsure what the sourcing supply is where you are. 360C parts are not necessarily plentiful, though I have not seen your parts list.

BTW the poster above was kidding about zip ties, in case you're wondering

When it's fixed, make sure your support team does a full setup on it; also, to your other thread, I am unsure who is "coaching" you, but I would get a GOOD pro to help dial the setup in to be a bit docile, and I would make sure you are getting good instruction. I have many many friends who are accomplished pro drivers and instructors....there are more good drivers than their are instructors/coaches out there. A GREAT coach would likely have seen you building up to this incident and nipped it in the bud before you crunched the metal

FWIW my wife has done about 25 track days, some in a 458C, is getting pretty good, but always has a GREAT coach/instructor with her. She started doing this being a mediocre driver and was afraid of fast cars....so it's possible with the right platform and guidance.

 

No not kidding serious they are strong enough and do a great job under impact, my speedway car rad was fixed this way and I never had a problem.