Z vs Tree
06-16-2006, 10:50 AM
#1
Z vs Tree
There are basic physics on the earth that cannot be overcome. One of them being that a 2006(3 mos old)base model Z does not stand a chance against a 150 year old tree.
That being said I figured(out of my own stupidity) to test this fact. From a standstill I launched up to 80mph, right at that point I realize I am going into the down slope of a dip that is approximately 15-20feet wide, as you can imagine my horror in an instant I land hard on the upslope and from there I am airborn(from witnesses about 3-6ft high), I then slam down back onto the road at which point the left front wheel shears off and I am going 70 mph at a "T" intersection, i am thinking left or right, not knowing my wheel is gone i turn hard right but the car does not react because the weight of the car is still not fully down on the wheels due to the bouncing after a hard landing, needless to say(i am saying it anyway) the car would not turn right so i kept going straight, within about 4-5 seconds "SLAM"...Z meet Tree.....now one would think that if you hit a tree in a Z going about 60mph it's "church", "lights out", "fine'"...look at the pictures from the accident closely....the front windshield is not even cracked, nothing from the firewall(except trans.)back is damaged......my point here is that from a safety standpoint the car performed extrordinarily....ladies and gentlemen, I unbuckled my seatbelt, opened the door(which was like any other time openining it) and got out......my nose is scratched from the airbag, my knee is scratched from bracing myself, i feel like i got donkey kicked in the chest from the seatbelt, but I walked away.....the next time someone tells me that a Z is not a safe car in an accident I am kicking thier as%.......
is it totaled ?? well the ins. company will be looking at it next week so I will keep ya'll informed.....if it is I do not know if I will be able to get another one due to the insurance hike...i really want another one but have to keep the financials first and foremost, just have to wait and see now.....
the point here, physics is alive and well and working fine
robert
That being said I figured(out of my own stupidity) to test this fact. From a standstill I launched up to 80mph, right at that point I realize I am going into the down slope of a dip that is approximately 15-20feet wide, as you can imagine my horror in an instant I land hard on the upslope and from there I am airborn(from witnesses about 3-6ft high), I then slam down back onto the road at which point the left front wheel shears off and I am going 70 mph at a "T" intersection, i am thinking left or right, not knowing my wheel is gone i turn hard right but the car does not react because the weight of the car is still not fully down on the wheels due to the bouncing after a hard landing, needless to say(i am saying it anyway) the car would not turn right so i kept going straight, within about 4-5 seconds "SLAM"...Z meet Tree.....now one would think that if you hit a tree in a Z going about 60mph it's "church", "lights out", "fine'"...look at the pictures from the accident closely....the front windshield is not even cracked, nothing from the firewall(except trans.)back is damaged......my point here is that from a safety standpoint the car performed extrordinarily....ladies and gentlemen, I unbuckled my seatbelt, opened the door(which was like any other time openining it) and got out......my nose is scratched from the airbag, my knee is scratched from bracing myself, i feel like i got donkey kicked in the chest from the seatbelt, but I walked away.....the next time someone tells me that a Z is not a safe car in an accident I am kicking thier as%.......
is it totaled ?? well the ins. company will be looking at it next week so I will keep ya'll informed.....if it is I do not know if I will be able to get another one due to the insurance hike...i really want another one but have to keep the financials first and foremost, just have to wait and see now.....
the point here, physics is alive and well and working fine
robert
06-16-2006, 11:06 AM
#5
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Glad you're ok, and all, but there's no WAY you were doing 60 when you hit that tree.
I'm not trying to argue, or start crap, I just think it's interesting (I'm SURE it felt like you were doing 60+). If we assume you were going 62 mph (humor me), and that the car got smashed in about two feet. This means that you slowed from 27.7 m/s in about 2/3 of a meter. Do the math real fast and your car under went an average deceleration of 58.7 G's. Lets say your airbag gave you (as in your body) another foot to deceleratite, your body still would have undergone 39 G. 39 times your body's weight on the seat belt, your braing being smushed with 39 times it usual weight against the inside of your forhead. This G level is survivable, but usually not in a passenger car (like an F1 car seat, or fighter plane seat is needed), and only for an EXTREMELY fit person.
Besides, I've seen pictures, I don't care what kinda car it is 60mph and a tree DESTROYS it.
Anyway, I bet you hit at more like 40 mph (about half the energy involved).
I'm not trying to argue, or start crap, I just think it's interesting (I'm SURE it felt like you were doing 60+). If we assume you were going 62 mph (humor me), and that the car got smashed in about two feet. This means that you slowed from 27.7 m/s in about 2/3 of a meter. Do the math real fast and your car under went an average deceleration of 58.7 G's. Lets say your airbag gave you (as in your body) another foot to deceleratite, your body still would have undergone 39 G. 39 times your body's weight on the seat belt, your braing being smushed with 39 times it usual weight against the inside of your forhead. This G level is survivable, but usually not in a passenger car (like an F1 car seat, or fighter plane seat is needed), and only for an EXTREMELY fit person.
Besides, I've seen pictures, I don't care what kinda car it is 60mph and a tree DESTROYS it.
Anyway, I bet you hit at more like 40 mph (about half the energy involved).
06-16-2006, 11:08 AM
#6
Retired Admin
iTrader: (95)
Damn, Rob. I can't believe that **** happened. I hope you're alright. Did you have your new rims on when that happened? If it is totaled, try to salvage some parts off your car and sell them.
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06-16-2006, 11:11 AM
#10
Retired Admin
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Originally Posted by gtmule
Glad you're ok, and all, but there's no WAY you were doing 60 when you hit that tree.
I'm not trying to argue, or start crap, I just think it's interesting (I'm SURE it felt like you were doing 60+). If we assume you were going 62 mph (humor me), and that the car got smashed in about two feet. This means that you slowed from 27.7 m/s in about 2/3 of a meter. Do the math real fast and your car under went an average deceleration of 58.7 G's. Lets say your airbag gave you (as in your body) another foot to deceleratite, your body still would have undergone 39 G. 39 times your body's weight on the seat belt, your braing being smushed with 39 times it usual weight against the inside of your forhead. This G level is survivable, but usually not in a passenger car (like an F1 car seat, or fighter plane seat is needed), and only for an EXTREMELY fit person.
Besides, I've seen pictures, I don't care what kinda car it is 60mph and a tree DESTROYS it.
Anyway, I bet you hit at more like 40 mph (about half the energy involved).
I'm not trying to argue, or start crap, I just think it's interesting (I'm SURE it felt like you were doing 60+). If we assume you were going 62 mph (humor me), and that the car got smashed in about two feet. This means that you slowed from 27.7 m/s in about 2/3 of a meter. Do the math real fast and your car under went an average deceleration of 58.7 G's. Lets say your airbag gave you (as in your body) another foot to deceleratite, your body still would have undergone 39 G. 39 times your body's weight on the seat belt, your braing being smushed with 39 times it usual weight against the inside of your forhead. This G level is survivable, but usually not in a passenger car (like an F1 car seat, or fighter plane seat is needed), and only for an EXTREMELY fit person.
Besides, I've seen pictures, I don't care what kinda car it is 60mph and a tree DESTROYS it.
Anyway, I bet you hit at more like 40 mph (about half the energy involved).
06-16-2006, 11:19 AM
#12
You may be right GTmule, I am baseing everything on the police report and what witnesses say......
Thanks Chris and everybody for thier concern, it is very much appreciated..........it was a hell of a ride to say the least and I am Very Lucky to be here writing about it.
I am not a Hollywood stunt driver although i may have to look into that career path....
As far as what i was thinking, I reallt don't know, I was not drunk, I was not doing a "mad drive"....i just turned down the wrong road to do a 1/4mi run and paid big time for it....
Thanks Chris and everybody for thier concern, it is very much appreciated..........it was a hell of a ride to say the least and I am Very Lucky to be here writing about it.
I am not a Hollywood stunt driver although i may have to look into that career path....
As far as what i was thinking, I reallt don't know, I was not drunk, I was not doing a "mad drive"....i just turned down the wrong road to do a 1/4mi run and paid big time for it....
06-16-2006, 11:57 AM
#14
Originally Posted by 06blueZ
It probably wouldn't turn because you had directional tires mounted on backwards... [/sarcasm]
i can laugh at that because i am still alive.....funny, needed it, although it makes my chest hurt to laugh, bastar&(sarcasm)
06-16-2006, 12:37 PM
#20
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glad you walked away from it, that seatbelt can cause alot of damage but be glad you were wearing it and didn't end up outside the car. I still scars across my chest from my seatbelt being imprinted in my chest and stomach from my accident last year but thank god i was bright enough to wear it.