HPDE: E92 M3 total loss

WarrantyTracker · 11-25-2013, 12:13 PM

I was at a well-run BMW CCA HPDE this weekend on VIR full course.

A first-timer in a white E92 M3 was running the last lap in the third session on the second day. I didn't see it, but for whatever reason he was not able to execute the turn-in to #14A (Roller Coaster). So, he did what he was instructed: run straight off the track and put both feet in. Then stay in your car.

Unfortunately, something - hot rotors or catalytics - ignited the dried grass. He and his instructor exited the vehicle. In short order, his car was toasted like a marshmallow. Plastic parts dripping off everwhere. Interior baked. A total loss. The fire got hot enough to melt a substantial hole in the aluminum hood.

This was not a case of a student doing anything especially wrong, as far as I can tell. I had been running in his group all weekend (new to driving with this club, so they threw me in D) and did not observe him doing anything nuts. I also talked with him before the run and he presented as nothing other than a sensible young man. But his car is history.

Food for thought if you're thinking about running BMW CCA HPDE without track insurance because it's "safe."

JonnyTrauma · 11-25-2013, 12:28 PM

Goes to show it can't hurt to have an extinguisher mounted for HPDE whether insured or not

Sebringjetta · 11-25-2013, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyTrauma

Goes to show it can't hurt to have an extinguisher mounted for HPDE whether insured or not

hate seeing stuff like this!!!! i know how he feels!!!!

jbraslins · 11-25-2013, 01:38 PM

That is harsh! Whoever owns this car, sorry for your loss

Wonder if he had track insurance. Would track insurance cover it in this case? Seems like it should.

Sebringjetta · 11-25-2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbraslins

That is harsh! Whoever owns this car, sorry for your loss

Wonder if he had track insurance. Would track insurance cover it in this case? Seems like it should.

was wondering the same thing

325rider · 11-25-2013, 02:06 PM

JESUS!

Def. not tracking my car without certainty of coverage… Never heard of an accident like this before. Crazy

Kwando · 11-25-2013, 02:11 PM

Poor car and owner..it could have been worse.

M3 Esq · 11-25-2013, 02:56 PM

Sounds like the occupants made it out ok, so that's all that really matters. Tough to see that though. I hope it works out for the driver.

G80indy · 11-25-2013, 03:22 PM

Very interested in root cause!
The grass burning under the car did this?

Black Gold · 11-25-2013, 03:42 PM

Glad he and his instructor are ok

Very scary. I had a kind of scary incident once at an hpde and it definitely puts things in perspective.

Hope this doesn't wreck the guy financially :/

PandaM3 · 11-25-2013, 03:50 PM

Since it's an HPDE and most insurances will look at it as a high performance driving instruction and not a timed competition... It will likely be covered by his regular auto insurance unless he has a cheap policy.

I have aaa and asked them this... They will cover me for HPDE's and in my 4x4 when offroading as long as its a marked trail on a map

My buddy has aaa as well and totalled his evoX at an HPDE running straight into a dirt wall at 90mph and he walked away shaken and his car was covered as well.

surlynkid · 11-25-2013, 03:51 PM

Exactly why I have an extinguisher on board. Lockton would cover that. Was the car stuck? We are always reminded to never stop moving, especially in dry grass. If he could have kept rolling, that would be the only mistake. From other info, I got the impression things were damp though.

For insurance, I would move it off track and tell my insurance that it happened elsewhere. No wreck so hard for them to prove it didn't happen in your driveway and get put out by your garden hose.

jbraslins · 11-25-2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surlynkid

For insurance, I would move it off track and tell my insurance that it happened elsewhere. No wreck so hard for them to prove it didn't happen in your driveway and get put out by your garden hose.

That would work. Just have to worry about the fact that it's technically insurance fraud, which is a felony. Could come back to bite you really hard. They could even cover the car, than still go after you for filing false insurance claim/report.

OC3 · 11-25-2013, 04:54 PM

When he went off the track, was his car disabled? Why did the car just remain there?

CanAutM3 · 11-25-2013, 08:05 PM

I am guessing this was posted without the consent of the owner of the car in the picture...

If it is the case, out of respect, I would recommend deleting this thread.

mkPOTO · 11-25-2013, 08:50 PM

Holy shit, glad they made it out

bigjae1976 · 11-25-2013, 08:55 PM

Yes, never stop over dry grass. Also its kind of an unwritten rule to not post pics of wrecks unless its your own car.

Sleeper519 · 11-25-2013, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Yes, never stop over dry grass. Also its kind of an unwritten rule to not post pics of wrecks unless its your own car.

Really? Why is that? In case he decides to perpetrate a fraud? Its not like your showing a dead body or something. There are literally tons of pics and videos of wrecks and crashes all over the internet.

bigjae1976 · 11-25-2013, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleeper519

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Yes, never stop over dry grass. Also its kind of an unwritten rule to not post pics of wrecks unless its your own car.

Really? Why is that? In case he decides to perpetrate a fraud? Its not like your showing a dead body or something. There are literally tons of pics and videos of wrecks and crashes all over the internet.

The issue is you may unintentionally become involved in litigation if you post pics and eyewitness accounts especially in cases where the driver isn't the owner. But I'm sure there are many other scenarios.

It has happened.

1MOREMOD · 11-25-2013, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I am guessing this was posted without the consent of the owner of the car in the picture...

If it is the case, out of respect, I would recommend deleting this thread.

+1 if you dont have permission to take this picture and post this is a bad idea. every track day i go to doesnt allow photos of any one elses car that is damaged. if you do it you are banned for life.

Estoril Blue · 11-26-2013, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleeper519

Really? Why is that? In case he decides to perpetrate a fraud? Its not like your showing a dead body or something. There are literally tons of pics and videos of wrecks and crashes all over the internet.

Photographing a wrecked car at the track is considered poor form. Posting that photo on the Internet is far poorer form.

This courtesy is observed by everyone I know.

M3 Esq · 11-26-2013, 06:12 AM

^ Agree with the others on this. What happens at the track should stay at the track. The privacy of the driver should be respected in these cases. They usually make an announcement at the drivers meeting that photos of anyone else's cars should not be shared on social media without the permission of the drivers. I am especially sensitive to this because when I wrecked I wasn't sure how it was going to go with my insurance company. The last thing I needed was some joker posting pics of my car with some half assed description of what happened. I felt bad enough about what happened and I didn't need to see anyone posting about it. Just my .02.

11-25-2013, 12:13 PM	#1
WarrantyTracker Track? What Track? I was just riding along . . . 46 Rep 694 Posts Drives: Alpine White E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: An Undisclosed Location iTrader: (1)	HPDE: E92 M3 total loss I was at a well-run BMW CCA HPDE this weekend on VIR full course. A first-timer in a white E92 M3 was running the last lap in the third session on the second day. I didn't see it, but for whatever reason he was not able to execute the turn-in to #14A (Roller Coaster). So, he did what he was instructed: run straight off the track and put both feet in. Then stay in your car. Unfortunately, something - hot rotors or catalytics - ignited the dried grass. He and his instructor exited the vehicle. In short order, his car was toasted like a marshmallow. Plastic parts dripping off everwhere. Interior baked. A total loss. The fire got hot enough to melt a substantial hole in the aluminum hood. This was not a case of a student doing anything especially wrong, as far as I can tell. I had been running in his group all weekend (new to driving with this club, so they threw me in D) and did not observe him doing anything nuts. I also talked with him before the run and he presented as nothing other than a sensible young man. But his car is history. Food for thought if you're thinking about running BMW CCA HPDE without track insurance because it's "safe."
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11-25-2013, 12:28 PM	#2
JonnyTrauma Private 6 Rep 92 Posts Drives: e92 m3 6mt Join Date: May 2013 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Goes to show it can't hurt to have an extinguisher mounted for HPDE whether insured or not
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11-25-2013, 01:38 PM	#4
jbraslins Latvian Gangstah 84 Rep 570 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3 Melbourne Red 6MT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Wake Forest, NC iTrader: (1)	That is harsh! Whoever owns this car, sorry for your loss Wonder if he had track insurance. Would track insurance cover it in this case? Seems like it should. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 Melbourne Red 6MT [SOLD] 2015 YMB BMW M3 M-DCT [SOLD] 2010 Alpine White E90 M3 M-DCT [SOLD] 2002 TiAg E46 M3 manual
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11-25-2013, 02:06 PM	#6
325rider Captain 36 Rep 826 Posts Drives: '11 e90 M3 6mt Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Miami, Fl iTrader: (1)	JESUS! Def. not tracking my car without certainty of coverage… Never heard of an accident like this before. Crazy
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11-25-2013, 02:11 PM	#7
Kwando Major 431 Rep 1,428 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	Poor car and owner..it could have been worse.
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11-25-2013, 02:56 PM	#8
M3 Esq Automobilist 395 Rep 2,632 Posts Drives: E70 X5, 911 GT3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (12)	Sounds like the occupants made it out ok, so that's all that really matters. Tough to see that though. I hope it works out for the driver.
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11-25-2013, 03:22 PM	#9
G80indy Save the Manuals 1714 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: Z3, E46, G80 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indy iTrader: (0)	Very interested in root cause! The grass burning under the car did this? __________________ 2023 G80 6MT, CCBs 2002 330i Dinan, 5MT 2000 Z3 Conforti, 5MT
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11-25-2013, 03:42 PM	#10
Black Gold Major General 592 Rep 5,396 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (15)	Glad he and his instructor are ok Very scary. I had a kind of scary incident once at an hpde and it definitely puts things in perspective. Hope this doesn't wreck the guy financially :/
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11-25-2013, 03:50 PM	#11
PandaM3 Captain 470 Rep 988 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (6)	Since it's an HPDE and most insurances will look at it as a high performance driving instruction and not a timed competition... It will likely be covered by his regular auto insurance unless he has a cheap policy. I have aaa and asked them this... They will cover me for HPDE's and in my 4x4 when offroading as long as its a marked trail on a map My buddy has aaa as well and totalled his evoX at an HPDE running straight into a dirt wall at 90mph and he walked away shaken and his car was covered as well.
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11-25-2013, 03:51 PM	#12
surlynkid Major 115 Rep 1,470 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: League City, TX iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 Porsche GT3 [0.00] 1988 Toyota 4Runner [0.00] 1995 Toyota T-100 4x4 [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00]	Exactly why I have an extinguisher on board. Lockton would cover that. Was the car stuck? We are always reminded to never stop moving, especially in dry grass. If he could have kept rolling, that would be the only mistake. From other info, I got the impression things were damp though. For insurance, I would move it off track and tell my insurance that it happened elsewhere. No wreck so hard for them to prove it didn't happen in your driveway and get put out by your garden hose. __________________ Stoptech 380mm/355mm \| PFC08 / Pagid RS-29 \| Akrapovic EVO - CF tips \| Benvo Tune \| MS UDP \| AA air filter \| MCS 2-way with 700/1000lb springs \| Solid bushings and adjustable links \| RD front swaybar \| Apex EC-7 18x10 square 275/35-18 NT01 \| Turner Race Studs \| GT4 Brake Cooling \| GT4 Power Steering Cooling \| Alekshop Oil Cooler \| Performance Steering Wheel \| \| CF Spoiler \| Varis System 1 Full CF Diffuser \| Extended Paddle Shifters \| Schroth Quick Fit Pro \| Turner Steering Rack Stops \| Vorshlag Camber Plates
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11-25-2013, 04:54 PM	#14
OC3 Havin' a blast! 125 Rep 4,847 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 E92 Jerez Blk DCT ZCP Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	When he went off the track, was his car disabled? Why did the car just remain there? __________________ BRP 1:56 \| CVR 2:01 \| ACS 1:53 \| WSIR 1:34
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11-25-2013, 08:05 PM	#15
CanAutM3 General 21120 Rep 20,741 Posts Drives: 2021 911 turbo Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 Audi RS6 [10.00] 2021 Porsche 911 turbo [10.00]	I am guessing this was posted without the consent of the owner of the car in the picture... If it is the case, out of respect, I would recommend deleting this thread.
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11-25-2013, 08:50 PM	#16
mkPOTO Mr. Nice Says Hello 636 Rep 16,662 Posts Drives: BMW M3 \| X5 xdrive 35i MSport Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (25) Garage List 2002 Lexus GS300 [0.00] 2008 BMW E92 M3 [5.58]	Holy shit, glad they made it out Last edited by mkPOTO; 11-26-2013 at 03:00 PM..
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11-25-2013, 08:55 PM	#17
bigjae1976 Major General 1571 Rep 8,076 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	Yes, never stop over dry grass. Also its kind of an unwritten rule to not post pics of wrecks unless its your own car. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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11-26-2013, 06:12 AM	#22
M3 Esq Automobilist 395 Rep 2,632 Posts Drives: E70 X5, 911 GT3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (12)	^ Agree with the others on this. What happens at the track should stay at the track. The privacy of the driver should be respected in these cases. They usually make an announcement at the drivers meeting that photos of anyone else's cars should not be shared on social media without the permission of the drivers. I am especially sensitive to this because when I wrecked I wasn't sure how it was going to go with my insurance company. The last thing I needed was some joker posting pics of my car with some half assed description of what happened. I felt bad enough about what happened and I didn't need to see anyone posting about it. Just my .02.
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