Well, let em start off by telling you all that it was a nice day here today so I decided to go for a ride around the city (Check out the hot JMU girls and wash the Z) After I left the car wash, I decided to take one more drive around the city before going home. In the process of this "last drive," I noticed that the auxillary parking lot of our local Regal Cinemas was completely empty, so I thought to myself: "This would be a good time to practice my drifting..." (<---I AM A DUMBASS FOR THINKING THAT!!!)
So I proceed to take my first turn around a light pole in 2nd gear and after I cleared the light pole, I modulated the throttle to keep the wheels spinning. But woe is me, I haven't had much practice with drifing on my new wheels. I put too much gas onto it and started to lose control of the car. I stomped on the brakes, but it was already too late...I was headed for a concrete curb....CRASH!!! then I heard a buzzing sound in the engine bay (like the fan was hitting something). So I immediately shut down the car. I then realized that I was going to need to back the car up so I could actually see what had happened. Then I started the car back up (the buzzing starts again) and backed it almost a car length away from away from the curb and turn off the engine once again.
I then get out assess my damages. I am such a ****!!!! The front bumper was a total loss, but surprisingly I don't think there was a scratch on my Stillen Grille My passenger side front tire probably has a puncture in it and the worst part, coolant was leaking everywhere!!!! I hope to God I won't have to buy another radiator!

I called AAA and they sent a flatbed tow truck to pick up my baby and bring it to the body shop. Once we get there, the guy at the shop tells me for sure I'm going to need a new radiator support.
He's going to be calling me tomorrow to let me know how bad everything is.
I'll also be going by there tomorrow to take pics of the damage. I'll post 'em eventually...

So far I need:
-one new tire (probably)
-new radiator support
-a front bumper
-a new radiator (probably)
We'll see tomorrow what else I'm going to need....

The moral of this story: Pay for instruction at HPDE's before you go out and try to teach yourself to drift. My baby is in the ICU because of my stupidity, I don't want anyone else's to be there because of the same dumb reason. THINK BEFORE YOU ACT!!!!

peace

 

Man.. I'm sorry that you found a curb the hard way ..... I allways sucks when that happens...

Look at this as an oportunity though...

If you need a new radiator... Koyo (spelling?)

It could be time to go with a kit for the front bumper cover... Carbon fiber maybe?



Wern't you just at the Evolution meet? .... lots of good ideas there

Good luck!

 

So, did the tow truck by any chance ask what the hell you did? It must of been sorta weird to him to pull up to a car in an empty parking lot that slamed up a curb. I know if I was the truck driver I would've been like "WTH happened here?"

 

^ +1

If you are in the means to do so, always upgrade instead of replace!

Ben

 

Thought about the koyo radiator, I might get one depending on the price on a new oem one. As for the cf front, or any bodykit for that matter, my Z is a daily driver, so I don't think I'd want to do anything but a an oem bumper.

I wasn't at this past Evolution meet, but I was up there about last July, I think, when a few of us met at the Buffalo wing factory. Some nice Z's there!!

BTW: the tow truck driver had to know what the hell I did, he saw all the black marks on the pavement.

 

Remember kids you pay to play.

Get a performance radiator and either a body kit bumper or an oem bumper. While you're at it TT.

At least you picked an empty parking lot instead of someone's street.

 

think of this in a good way bro...if you going through insurance...use their money and add a little bit more and get an aftermarket bumper of your choice, and a better radiator, and whatever e lse you can!! good luck man i feel bad for you!

 

I'm definiely not going through my ins. company! I already pay too much as it is.

 

if it makes you feel better, I cracked the oil pan on my dads passat on a speed bump!

 

So what did the girls think?

J/K!....It could have been worse, and instead of a broken radiator you could've been wrapped around a pole.

 

There's always opportunity in adversity.Take the bad and make it....uh.
Good.

 

ouchhhhhhhhhhh sorry that happend.... i guess u learned your lesson that hard way

 

Man I'm sorry you did that.. But WTF were you thinking? Sorry..

 

aftermarket all the way and drifting lessons at bondurant driving school... good luck with everything...

 

yeahh everyone knows broken parts means better replacements!! haha, i think thats how the car guy in us ticks. sorry to hear about it though, hope it wont be more than what you thought it was!!

 

Before the "practice" = + "Let's go"
During "practice" = + + "WEEEEE!!!"
After = + "F*%$K'IN S*!T"
Now = + + + "Grrrrr"
Until the Z gets out of the car hospital = +

I think that about sums it up.

 

Great explanation!

 

Sorry about your car, but thats what happens when you fool around.

What HPDE's allow you to drift? The ones I have been to will black flag you if you appear to "drift" on purpose. They have drift schools and events for that, but I dont think you will get a warm reception from other drivers or the HPDE organizers if you start drifting in your sessions.

 

Can you do more for us since you won't have time time with the Z?

 

NASA's HPDE has Drift events where people can practice drifting around a skidpad. This usually occurs in conjunction with their regular HPDE events. But you're absolutely right, they get very upset if you're intentionally drifting around the track. It's dangerous to the other cars and drivers. Now, a perfect four wheel drift, on the other hand, is fine.