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View Full Version : Bill Howell 72 Charger hit wall in Reno HAN


badazz81z28
07-31-2014, 04:02 PM
A Charger that looks like Mr. Howell's ride hit a wall in Reno, NV at the live stock during hot august nights. Can anyone confirm it was his sweet ride?
badazz81z28
07-31-2014, 04:10 PM
A Charger that looks like Mr. Howell's ride hit wall at Reno live stock during hot august nights. Can anyone confirm it was this sweet ride?


Pics, I don't think he was driving tho.
Brads70
07-31-2014, 05:09 PM
Yes it was his, spindle broke at the caliper ear, locking brakes up sending him into the wall
SSLance
07-31-2014, 05:43 PM
Oh man, hate to see that...
72BBSwinger
07-31-2014, 07:12 PM
That is a sad sight :( Doesnt he have XV= Corvette spindles under that?
protouring70
07-31-2014, 09:25 PM
Ouch. .... I hope who ever was driving was ok
badazz81z28
07-31-2014, 09:26 PM
Yes it was his, spindle broke at the caliper ear, locking brakes up sending him into the wall

Is that what happened? From my perspective looks like the wall was too close to the track lane. He was going too fast around the bend, slammed on the brakes and hit. Didn't appear something went wrong. Were you there by chance?
BonzoHansen
07-31-2014, 10:08 PM
Is that what happened? From my perspective looks like the wall was too close to the track lane. He was going too fast around the bend, slammed on the brakes and hit. Didn't appear something went wrong. Were you there by chance?

Fact, spindle broke
MonzaRacer
07-31-2014, 11:59 PM
That'll buff riiight out!

Honestly, like Bret Voekel of Ridetech says if it breaks,,,fix it. nothing there that cant be fixed.
Brads70
08-01-2014, 03:41 AM
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Is that what happened? From my perspective looks like the wall was too close to the track lane. He was going too fast around the bend, slammed on the brakes and hit. Didn't appear something went wrong. Were you there by chance?
No he posted on facebook about it with pictures. Looks like he got it welded up locally and hammered out the fender and is running it again. Welding scares me though? Yes I believe is was a Corvette spindle.
badazz81z28
08-01-2014, 06:53 AM
Fact, spindle broke



Where you there by Chance? Hey I was there and saw what happened. All I said what it looked like to me. I saw the passenger side lock up and smoke. Is that the side the broke? It could have broke on impact. Btw he drove it about 100 hundreds yards to where you see it in the pictures and drove it to the tent area afterwards. By no means a pissing match here. Like I said, I saw it happen. I just would have thought if the brakes where stuck, he wouldn't have been able to move it.
BMR Sales
08-01-2014, 08:10 AM
Bummer
BonzoHansen
08-01-2014, 09:58 PM
Where you there by Chance? Hey I was there and saw what happened. All I said what it looked like to me. I saw the passenger side lock up and smoke. Is that the side the broke? It could have broke on impact. Btw he drove it about 100 hundreds yards to where you see it in the pictures and drove it to the tent area afterwards. By no means a pissing match here. Like I said, I saw it happen. I just would have thought if the brakes where stuck, he wouldn't have been able to move it.No, Bill posted the info on Facebook, as did Doug. As did the post just above. I just answered your question.
Rick Dorion
08-02-2014, 03:07 AM
Is that an OEM part? Glad nobody was hurt.
parsonsj
08-02-2014, 05:47 AM
GM upgraded the C6 upright in 2009 and made that area thicker using a different casting process. Sorry it happened to Bill!
1966longroof
08-02-2014, 07:02 AM
To bad this happened. But better in a confined space, at slower speeds. Than on a Hwy at 80mph. Thank heavens for BFG band aids, they'll fix anything.
Z06vet
08-02-2014, 09:30 AM
Good info on the C6 spindles. Glad this wasnt on a road course. Great that he got it patched up & back running.
MonzaRacer
08-24-2014, 05:46 AM
100555100554
no he posted on facebook about it with pictures. Looks like he got it welded up locally and hammered out the fender and is running it again. Welding scares me though? Yes i believe is was a corvette spindle.

even better. Battle scars!!!!!!
Besides chicks dig scars! ;)
andrewb70
08-24-2014, 06:06 AM
GM upgraded the C6 upright in 2009 and made that area thicker using a different casting process. Sorry it happened to Bill!

John,

I would think those spindles are forged, but who knows...

Do we actually know what happened?

Andrew
dangina
08-24-2014, 06:23 AM
oh man that sucks! I wouldn't run a welded spindle myself, I hope for his sake it lasts!
jlcustomz
08-24-2014, 01:30 PM
If the castings had a weak spot in that area, a properly welded version would be an improvement.
parsonsj
08-24-2014, 08:17 PM
I would think those spindles are forged, but who knows...Me too, but the boys over on CorvetteForum say they are "pressure cast" which is stronger than standard casting (called "gravity casting"), but not as strong as forging.
Todd in Vancouver
08-24-2014, 10:16 PM
Glad nobody was hurt and in true car guy racing fashion it's back on the road and racing. We don't build them to polish them and sit around staring how pretty they look. Much respect for driving it hard, break it, fix it and go back to driving it hard. Much respect Bill.
captainofiron
08-25-2014, 11:37 AM
John,

I would think those spindles are forged, but who knows...

Do we actually know what happened?

Andrew

you can see the marks from where the casting dies separate, also forged parts never have that orange peel looking finish because forged parts are machined to get their shape, while cast parts are cast to the initial shape, and machined to get the final details/shape


Me too, but the boys over on CorvetteForum say they are "pressure cast" which is stronger than standard casting (called "gravity casting"), but not as strong as forging.

pressure casting usually pushes air bubbles out first, but if your die/form is poorly designed and/or the pour is wrong you can end up with air pockets either way
SicMonte
09-22-2014, 04:11 AM
Hey guys. I was there working the event with Bill...saw the incident first hand...worked on the car...was at the welding shop...and helped put it all back together.

Bill was fine from the incident, car is back together, and we all will race another day!

This was a testament of the safety in that car and a good lesson to everyone who was in the crowd. This was the first time an autox was at this event and it really hit home that anything can happen at these events and to take the track seriously even if it is a short autox course. Bill is a stickler for safety and made sure he had his harness strapped up and tight every run...and good thing he did! After this everyone tightened up their harnesses for sure!!!

A video from the event.

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