Rob III, are you ok?
I didn't get a chance to follow-up with Rob after the incident but according to Grand-am's race notes which can be found on their site.... Lap 72 - 2:40:42 (3:44:23 PM) - The No. 62 Mazda (Whitener) spins at Turn 17 and is narrowly missed by No. 85 BMW (Wehreim). The No. 62 Mazda recovers and continues on without further incident, the No. 85 BMW stalls and stops on the side of the road before continuing. Lap 87 - 3:24:15 (4:28:06 PM) - FULL COURSE CAUTION - The No. 62 Mazda (Whitener) has made contact with the barrier at Turn 6 and come to a stop on course under the spectator access bridge. The corner reports heavy debris. Driver is reported to be uninjured. Both the No. 69 and No. 65 Mazdas pit under caution. Schlessinger takes over the No. 68 Mazda and Ray Huffmaster takes the wheel of the No. 69 Mazda. Officials estimate a ten minute cleanup. Thankfully he was reported uninjured and the structural integrity of the cars withstand incidents. The car was not too bad either from what I understand. They were having a decent run at the beginning and things were looking pretty good for the team. Glad to see he was reported to be okay. Nick
Dad was fine when they brought the car back to the pits. He said that he was trying to get by a slow moving BMW around turns 5 and 6, but the BMW turned back into him in one of the corners and made contact. We aren't sure which BMW it was, but we can't figure out why it happened yet. The safety equipment in the car definitely did what it was designed to do, and hopefully the car will be repairable.
P- Yes, I am fine. I should have read your notes about getting around the track. There may have been a section about not getting bumped off. You certainly don't get "point by's" at this level. Anyway, the weekend was a lot of work and the weather conditions made it tough on everybody, but we had a great time none the less. I can't wait until my next event. Below are some before and after pictures. I hope to see you soon. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
The car can be repaired, you can't. Encouraging to hear that you're rarin' to go again! There is definitely a section about "rules of engagement" and they are different for every series and every venue... Nice to see you back in the hunt. -Peter
Bloody hell Rob! How is the other "R" in the ROAR team handling it? Glad you're o.k. and still anxious to get into the driver's seat.
My son and I attended the race and snapped a few pics. Found one of your car Rob before the incident. Glad you're ok. Image Unavailable, Please Login
How was the race? I didn't actually end up getting to watch any of it... ended up having to help the guys out on the cars, and then when 62 came back in pieces, I decided it was time I headed out since I had a paper and a biochem test I needed to study for. I was really looking forward to getting to watch the race, but there are always plenty other races. I was glad dad was fine. The car does look really good in your picture right then... must have been after we wiped the cars down... hehe.
Santini - Nice picture, thank you. I hope you had a good time at the race, I know I did, even though I worked my butt off, did not finish, and wrecked a car all with lousy weather. But I would do it again in a heart beat. I would rethink my pass though. Rob
First pics I've seen of the Mazdas Rob. Looks like a great car and beautifully prepared. Sorry to see the modified front-end but glad the rest of you is one piece. We've finally moved in and will be hosting a gathering sometime soon. Looks like you have had an active schedule. Bob
