Hello everyone, to cut to the chase I pretty much totaled my Z last Saturday at Pueblo. First things first, I'm generally fine other than some bumps and bruises. While I'm sore I'll be 100% fine and live to drive another day. I thought I would come here and post for everyone what happened in the hopes that some can learn from the costly mistake that I made.

Please don't ask about pictures. I haven't taken any, just can't bring myself to do that. Even if I had them I wouldn't ever post them.

First my experience level since I'm new to NASA. I've driven 3 schools with the Rocky Mountain BMW club and have been to 2 open track days at Pueblo. I've also done a Lotus Performance school at Spring Mountain in Pahrump, NV. I've done some karting and so far have taken very quickly to the sport. I finished a check ride with the chief instructor at NASA on Friday afternoon so I could drive solo in HPDE3. While I still have a lot to learn Kevin signed me off. Just wanted everyone to know my general skill level. So on to the story...

Over the past few weeks I've made several mods to my Z (2007 Touring edition). Coilovers, front and rear sway bars, and a Wilwood big brake kit. I took it out on the track Friday afternoon to see how the changes affected the car. It really did feel very different, in very good ways. As any of you with track experience know the Z tends to understeer quite badly but after the suspension changes she would oversteer quite easily. On Friday I was able to hold and control this quite well and was very happy with how she handled. While I got sideways a few times coming out of the hairpin turn it was always a very controlled slide.

So what happened. This was probably my 20th session at Pueblo and never have I had any sort of oversteer in turn 10. When the session begin I truly was not trying to push. While that may be hard to believe given the outcome I truly was not thinking "push push push". I knew my tires were cold, the track was cold, and that the drags had been there the night before. The only thing I was thinking was "stay tight through the cones and track out smoothly". As I came around 10 (the final corner before the long straight) the backend let loose and began to step out. As it did I counter steered attempting to hold the slide. I held it for a few seconds but as I felt it come around more I'm pretty sure I lifted slightly (yes, first big mistake). When I realized I wasn't going to hold the slide I went both feet in on the clutch and brakes. I think here I made another big mistake, I brought the wheel back to center (I'm not 100% sure about this but from looking at the skid marks this is my assumption). When the car finally caught traction it launched me straight at the wall at what I'm guessing was about 50mph. When I hit the bags deployed and given how tight I had my belt cinched (the standard 3 point) it all held me in well. The car did just what it was supposed to do and absorbed the impact well.

My first reaction was to take my seat belt off which I did (stupid mistake too). Instantly I realized how stupid that was and so I tried to put it back on but couldn't (given how tight it now was). I left my helmet on and waiting for the emergency crew which made it there quickly. I crawled out the passenger window (the doors wouldn't open) and began my walk of shame to the EMTs. They checked me out briefly and let me head back to our trailer so I could lie down and let what happened sink in.

While I couldn't possibly have felt more stupid about what I done what happened next was quite amazing. The way everyone reacted, the number of people that sought me out to see how I was and give me their support was unreal. I only knew 3 other people at the track that day but the friends I made and offers of help I got were staggering. I had at least 3 people offer to trailer me home including some fellow Z members (specifically Joel, Dave and Foo - thanks SO much guys). It was truly wonderful how everyone acted, I just can't say that enough. You guys are simply amazing.

I got word from my shop today that it might not be a total loss but I've got a long road ahead of me to figure out what's really wrong, how to fix it, etc, etc. Fortunately I have a second car so I've got transportation to get myself around. Right now it's with Moe at Speed Image Performance (whom I can't recommend enough - what a great guy).

A close friend of mine that was there (one of the instructors and an amazing driver) even let me take his Caymen S out for a session on Sunday. While I was exceptionally slow (2:05 where I usually do in the high 1:50's) it was very good for me to end knowing that I can still get myself around the track. Mentally it was a very good way to end the weekend.

If one person can learn from my huge mistake I'll feel that much better about it. Feel free to ask any questions, I'll do my best to answer them as I can. I may have some questions for everyone as I get into the repair process so I may be looking for some advice. Something tells me I'm in the right place for it.

Thanks again all, see you on the track very soon.

Ross Carlson



UPDATE: Many of you have asked me about my insurance situation. I currently am with State Farm and they have denied the claim as I expected. I don't have my policy in front of me but there is a very black and white exclusion that reads something like "any driving on a track who's primary purpose is high speed driving". Still no word if she's totaled or not but I'm assuming she is. I'll update here again when I know more.

 

Ross- out of respect for you and your Z, most of us have refrained from posting on this. I saw this post over on the NASA site and didn't want to say anything until you posted here. Glad to hear that my preliminary assessment was correct and that your car is not a total write-off. Let us know how the frame repair is going and what parts/pieces are needed to get theat black Z back on the road (and track).

 

Very sorry to hear about this, Ross. Wishing you the best.

 

+1 what David said. Hope to see you out there for our October 27th track event. Glad you feel better. Too bad I couldn't drive Dave's T2 350Z home.

-Phu

 

Glad you're ok Ross and good to see you got right back on the track the next day.

 

Although I don't personally know you, I'm glad you're okay and you handled the situation in the correct manner: cool, calm, and collected. And probably the smartest thing you did was getting in the seat of that cayman. Props for doing that. I've wrecked a few things in my life (car, dirtbike, plane, etc.) and i've learned the faster i get back in the seat the better off I am. Good luck to you in the future

 

^^plane? I assume you haven't left the ground.

 

I know you are embarrassed at this and it took a lot to post. I personally am impressed at your willingness to take the blame for bending your car. For this reason, I think you have already learned a lot from this and will improve as a driver. I am also very impressed that your instructor friend let you drive his car and you took him up on it.

I have never met you, but just from reading about your unfortunate experience and how you handled the aftermath, I think you will do well on and off the track in the future.

Good luck, and thanks for sharing. (I know it wasn't easy.)

 

I want to say that without a doubt you've got tremendous heart
to step back in after an epsiode like this. Although my track experience
is nill, I've made some mistakes tantamount to your episode. Your
post helps me put things into perspective, and for that you deserve
a nod many times over. All the best and a speedy recovery to you
and your car.

 

I'm glad that you are OK, Ross: that's what matters most.

Is your insurance going cover the HPDE accident?

 

weak. post dam pics when you get over it

 

Ross - thanks for posting that detailed write-up on your incident. I was sorry to hear that it happened, but very glad to hear that you're okay. I was at the event when it happened, but as I working grid I was never able to break away and come find you to see if you were allright. David and Joel made sure to tell me that you were unhurt when they came to grid for their sessions, but I did want to stop by myself.

Thanks again for posting - please keep us informed on your car's progress, and let us know what we can do to help. Also, I'm glad you were able to get back on track that weekend - very good move, and we all hope to see you out there again someday soon!

 

Pics!!!!!!!!!!!

 

bump for pixs.
sorry to hear bro..

 

Did none of you who are asking for pics READ Ross's post? He said there will be NO PICS, so have some class and stop asking. If you wanna see crash pictures, I recommend www.wreckedexotics.com.

 

To all of you with such kind words of support you have no idea how much that means to me. I never expected I'd meet so many great people over something so terrible.

To those that are asking for pictures as kcobean said (thanks BTW) I will NEVER EVER post pictures of the wreck. Have something you love that you've spent many hours of work and money on then almost seriously injury yourself doing something you love in it. In front of lots of people whom you respect. Tell me if you feel like posting pictures after that.

A quick update on the insurance. In short I am NOT covered. I have State Farm and they have a very black and white exclusion for ANY track activity. I'll be looking for new insurance soon so I'll start a separate thread about that later. Also initial estimates are she may be fixable in the 16-18k range. Hopefully I'll know next week. The real pisser is I owe 4 years on it still so it's gonna be a pretty painful mistake. Thankfully I have a second car so I'm mobile for the moment.

I'm sure I'll have some questions once I get into the repair process, obviously I'm going to be looking for as many used and aftermarket parts as possible.

Thanks again for all the very kind thoughts,

-Ross

 

After your incident, I also started looking into insurance for track events. Most major companies don't offer it and those that do, it's very expensive. I'm still researching to find an insurance co. that will do a day or weekend insurance for track use at a reasonable price. I'll keep you up to date on anything and find, and vice versa if you find anything.

I love to track my car but it's my daily driver and I can't afford the money or inconvenience of damaging it while uninsured.

 

I'd like to know about this if you find anything too.

 

^^ You are a night owl!

 

On the subject of HPDE insurance, here's a recent thread from rennlist with info on at least one participant who took out what appears to be a specialized policy that did cover him when he had an incident (contact info for the insurance company and agent can be found in the thread):

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...d.php?t=443356