Death at Chuckwalla. Anyone heard anything?

[aus]

I searched Chuckwalla and didn't see anything here. Just wondering if anyone's heard how this happened?

http://www.mydesert.com/article/2013...nclick_check=1



Lots of discussion here, mostly about safety equipment for dual purpose cars: http://www.trackhq.com/forums/f325/f...-%40-cvr-6148/

And a diagram here: http://marketplace.honda-tech.com/sh...8&postcount=22

Really sad. Only 21 and a passenger.

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[mkPOTO]

boyfriend was airlifted, the girl in the picture was the one who passed away

[apecush]

Very sad. The club that runs track days here doesn't allow passengers unless they are instructors for reasons like this. Girlfriend in passenger seat is a huge distraction which may have contributed to this tragedy.

[swartzentruber]

This is very sad. I too have rarely ran in clubs where passengers were allowed in at speed (only lunchtime low speed touring), though it seems like this could have happened with an instructor. Of course the instruction might have kept this from happening. Seems like a bit of an odd accident to have caused a fatality.

[chili cheese]

Wow. That is horrible. Anyone know where the car went off?

[okusa]

Originally Posted by chili cheese

Wow. That is horrible. Anyone know where the car went off?

They were running CCW and he went off at turn 11 and hit the flag station on the left side of the track.

[w00tw00t]

this is so sad....

I think I need a full cage..

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by w00tw00t

this is so sad....

I think I need a full cage..

Don't think the wife would let you tow with her suv.

[Kanweezy]

Originally Posted by apecush

Very sad. The club that runs track days here doesn't allow passengers unless they are instructors for reasons like this. Girlfriend in passenger seat is a huge distraction which may have contributed to this tragedy.

Wow, what's the problem with him taking his girlfriend. Maybe he wanted show her what it was like, there's plenty of things that can contribute to a crash

[aus]

Originally Posted by chili cheese

Wow. That is horrible. Anyone know where the car went off?

They were running CCW and he went off at the top of the "corkscrew" like section and somehow went into the tire/concrete barrier around the tower.

I doubt a full cage would have helped much. Maybe a HANS and traction control.


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[Erhan]

Originally Posted by Kanweezy

Wow, what's the problem with him taking his girlfriend. Maybe he wanted show her what it was like, there's plenty of things that can contribute to a crash

You have to be very mature to not fall in to the "watch this" trap.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Erhan

You have to be very mature to not fall in to the "watch this" trap.

Why thank you. I took my wife and was more cautious than usual, wanted to drive correctly not quickly.

[klammer]

Sorry to hear about this. Might rethink going for personal bests and just have fun. It's a dangerous hobby and that's part of the fun I think, but there's a difference between hobby and competition, just be honest with yourself and think you'll be fine. Thoughts to the family n' friends.

[armyav8tor]

Originally Posted by Kanweezy

Wow, what's the problem with him taking his girlfriend. Maybe he wanted show her what it was like, there's plenty of things that can contribute to a crash

+1, It's a tragedy but it is to unfair to say that we should not be allowed to have a passenger because of an incident like this. It's all speculations at this point but from my perspective, my wife has ridden with me on more than 90% of my laps on the Ring (no helmet), and she has ridden with me in almost half of my VIR events. The only negative part is the extra weight but it's always fun to share your passion with the ones you love.

[1MOREMOD]

Its a personal decision. I can live with the consequences for myself but don't know how I would handle injuring someone else. Doesn't necessarily have to be your fault for something tragic to happen. I've spent time and money being more safe with cage, harness, hans, seats, suit just in case. I feel for the guy and hope he is okay.

[Estoril Blue]

Originally Posted by aus

They were running CCW and he went off at the top of the "corkscrew" like section and somehow went into the tire/concrete barrier around the tower.

I doubt a full cage would have helped much. Maybe a HANS and traction control.


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If you early 12 CCW - where do you end up?

[aus]

Originally Posted by Estoril Blue

If you early 12 CCW - where do you end up?

Here's a decent vid going CCW. It's at 41 seconds. It's like like going UP the corkscrew at Laguna Seca, but not as steep (but steeper than the vid suggest). It's right after the Carousel section, which is also more banked than it appears in the vid.

The track was designed to be able to be run in both directions, but there are always going to be compromises when you do this. The station is pretty far out there.

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[M3SQRD]

Wow - tragic. RIP

Any updates on the condition of the driver?

I hope the cause of the accident wasn't due to a "watch this" case Be safe guys and have fun - remember it's not a race out there at HPDEs!

[dnvrdrvr]

I read through several threads yesterday and it sounds like the drivers face was pretty badly damaged (speculation is he didn't buckle it up) and he was in a medically induced coma while they did reconstructive surgery. Also speculation that his GF was in a 4-point harness and subbed. Very sad.

No matter what the cause of the accident, all the safety gear in the world won't help one iota if it isn't used properly.

[chili cheese]

Originally Posted by aus

They were running CCW and he went off at the top of the "corkscrew" like section and somehow went into the tire/concrete barrier around the tower.

I doubt a full cage would have helped much. Maybe a HANS and traction control.


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I don't get it. Maybe he dropped a left side tire at 11 (where the candelstick cone usually sits) and then the car pulled hard left into the tower? That apex is kind of blind going CCW up the hill.

[1MOREMOD]

Also could have dropped 2 to the right. I've seen that then you try and correct quickly and end up hooking left across the track.

[aus]

Originally Posted by chili cheese

I don't get it. Maybe he dropped a left side tire at 11 (where the candelstick cone usually sits) and then the car pulled hard left into the tower? That apex is kind of blind going CCW up the hill.

Maybe he turned in too early at the top of the hill and dropped 1 wheel, over corrected and spun?? I'm thinking if you drop 1, you should be able to steer straight- at least that's my experience with dropping two.

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