The week from hell ended with bent metal

[Bow Tie 67]

So I attended the last club event I can make and tell myself, run the practice laps like your racing. Great idea on paper, well I bump myself up to the faster practice group and head out on a early morning slick track. I quickly realize I forgot to stiffen my front shocks, no problem I'll adjust. Turn 7 has always been my nemesis as I went off track two years ago heading into it at around 100 mph, backwards! Well our three lap practice has me coming out of turn 7 loose in the back, no problem I have dealt with this before. So on the third lap I,m chasing down an early 60's vette, come out of 7 hot and loose the rear end. Everything happened so fast I cant remember the sequence of events. I spoke with the corner workers and they said I over corrected. What I remember was the tire wall approaching fast as I was sliding 90 degrees to the track in wet grass. BAMMM! the new passenger quarter nails the tire wall spinning the car 4 times, then the front end makes contact whipping the car around two more revolutions. I thought the car was f*'d up big time, luckly the quarter, licence plates, rear bumper and front header panel are the only damage. I guess thats racing........... I almost went home, but chalked it up to exerience and kept racing.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2959095220065608932eaXfRm)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2613800440065608932kydaMo)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2126230830065608932JiiDRq)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2964452790065608932jkFhrn)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2484467200065608932olVYbB)

[ScotI]

Noooooooooooooo . . .... :injured:

[68sixspeed]

Doh... that sucks; glad you and most of the car are ok... you just made up my mind for me for a HPDE I'm doing in a few weeks, I as debating if I was going to take my new Z06 but I think I'll stick with the C5 after reading this!

[Van B]

Been there, done that Matt. Although mine was in a 96 Camaro SS I had a few years ago. Exit of turn 12 (Canada Corner) at Road America. Exited the turn with the rear end out (loose) and corrected, getting into the grass on the right and kissing the tire barrier with the right quarter.

Its just bent metal, but it sucks none the less.

[Bill Howell]

You might need to just stay in bed tomorrow, you are a danger to yourself this week.....lol
sorry about the bent metal, but looks like nothing you cannot fix.

[Steve1968LS2]

Hell, you should be able to fix that in no time.. ;)

Seriously though, glad to hear YOU'RE alright.. metal can be fixed but bone and flesh take longer.

Love your car by the way :)

[Yelcamino]

Matt, sorry to hear about the car but glad to hear you're ok! Just think, with the 9 month long Chicago winter looming around the corner, you'll have plenty to keep you busy in the garage! :)

[Tucks69]

Glad your OK Matt!! Still love the car with the dents! BTW nice to meet you at the RTTH.

Mike

[Bow Tie 67]

Thanks guys, I doubt I'll go right to fixing the quarter other than knocking it out for now. I still plan on doing the door skins and engine change this winter.

I checked the car this morning and nope it was not a dream. LOL

[hotrdblder]

sorry to hear that matt.
you need r rated tires for the track those pilots are junk, i have r888 and been to the track etc and put on old pilot sports for rtth, the pilots are junk, no traction etc.my asa ls6 barely spins the r888 on a roll, however i can blow the pilots off thru 3 gears easily
the r888 will last 10k miles and be driven on the track and they will grip so well.
are your rear shocks adjustable? soften the rear to make it tighter, also move phb down to make it tighter.
glad ur ok
jake

[dropit69]

Damn Matt there went 12 hours getting that quarter perfect..lol..glad your ok ..winter will be here before ya know it and you can work on it..

[JEFFTATE]

Dang Matt , I'm sorry you wrecked your car !
But at least you were driving it hard at the time and it didn't get damaged in a traffic accident or theft or something.
Hope you get it fixed soon.
That is one great car !

Jeff Tate

[Bow Tie 67]

Damn Matt there went 12 hours getting that quarter perfect..lol..glad your ok ..winter will be here before ya know it and you can work on it..

I wish it would only take 12 hours to fix it, more like 30-40 for my slow anal A**.

Jake the rear shocks are 3 way adjustable Koni's that came with the DSE quadra-link. I had them set at the middle setting. I'm thinking I should have had them set softer and it may have helped. Either way tires for track use are a must when pushing the limit. I can't wait to experience good grip for braking and corner entry / exit.

[ScotI]

I wish it would only take 12 hours to fix it, more like 30-40 for my slow anal A**.

Jake the rear shocks are 3 way adjustable Koni's that came with the DSE quadra-link. I had them set at the middle setting. I'm thinking I should have had them set softer and it may have helped. Either way tires for track use are a must when pushing the limit. I can't wait to experience good grip for braking and corner entry / exit.
Sounds like justification for a 'track' set of hoops & stickies if I've ever heard. . .....

[hotrdblder]

I wish it would only take 12 hours to fix it, more like 30-40 for my slow anal A**.

Jake the rear shocks are 3 way adjustable Koni's that came with the DSE quadra-link. I had them set at the middle setting. I'm thinking I should have had them set softer and it may have helped. Either way tires for track use are a must when pushing the limit. I can't wait to experience good grip for braking and corner entry / exit.
yes softer in the rear will make it tighter,
get a set of r888 for dual purpose you will get 2 summers out of them, and quite frankly thats long enough.
glad your ok, feel free to pm me anytime.
also that said, autox and road course set ups should be way different
i run road courses with shocks on firmest setting, with phb below axle center line, to make the rear have lots of traction, makes you feel more comfortable at speeds on the track, however this set up in autox will push or understeer badly. for autox i soften the front up, stiffen rear shocks and raise phb up 2 inches(moves roll center up) to loosen rear way up so it will come around in the tight autox courses.

[Bow Tie 67]

Thats exactly how I setup for the autox, at first I had the front stiff, then went to soft to plant the front weight on the outside tire for the tight initial turn-in, and used the throttle to bring around the rear. I realize now I should have loosened up the rear prior to the high speed event. I basically over drove the corner trying to setup a pass of the car in front of me, totally my fault not the cars.

I'm planning on mini-lights with good rubber for next years track events, saving the Buniks and Pilot Sports for easier events / cruising.

[zbugger]

Damn... At least I got to see the car when it was somewhat straight, right? I'm just glad to see you're doing fine. It's something that happens and it reminds you that you really are pushing your car. I hope you get it fixed soon.

[Steve1968LS2]

The nice thing about R888s is that they don't have to be just "track tires"... they are great on the street as well.

I was going to say something like "You call THAT a dent??", but decided not to. lol

Killer car and I'm stealing a few of your ideas for Track Rat.

[Damn True]

What kind of race was this?

[Bow Tie 67]

It's called " Time Attack " we race on a full road course, almost 2 miles long depending on the venue. Prior to lunch we run 3 practice sessions per group based on our previous track times, ultimatly its up to the driver to decide with practice group. Practice sessions are 3 laps with passing only on the main straight. Then after lunch we are timed from a standing start, drag strip type start, for one flying lap with a clean track in front of each driver, balls to the wall for quickest time in your respective class. I run Street Unlimited, which allows just about anything with the lowest treadwear rating being 200. ( therefore the class name Street for street tires ) The top car in my class is a modified EVO, the guy leaves the line off a 6500 rev limiter and flys around the track a good 5 seconds faster. He covers the 1.95 mile 7 turn track in 1 min 22 sec, my best is 1 min 27.4 sec. Good times and the cost is very reasonable $110 for the day with Midwest Council of Motorsporst clubs. This is the second largest amatuer racing club in the U.S. next to SCCA and this is their 50th anniversary.

[subtlez28]

I was there w/ Matt. I give him a ton of credit for finishing the event. A lot of guys would have went home and cried in the garage.

+1 on getting the Pilots and HEAVY billet wheels off.
Get that set of mini-lites you want and wrap them in Toyo Proxis' or Falken 615s and drive the snot out of it on track and on the street.
You know me, I think the car should handle as good all the time as it does on the track.
Plus if you run 275/40/17s all around we can have some close racing again I bet!

[subtlez28]

Oh, and not only finishing the event, but setting a damn good time.
I'm telling you man, ditch those heavy rollers and all weather tires and you will be a force to be reckoned with!

[CurtiSS 69]

Sorry to hear you wrecked your car, but it's great to know you are using it for what you built it for. I solute you. It sounds like it was an awesome event except for the mishap.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[Steve Firebird]

That stinks. At least you are driving you car. Nice meeting you at RTTH. I think that will buff right out:)

[Steve Chryssos]

It's called " Time Attack " we race on a full road course, almost 2 miles long depending on the venue. Prior to lunch we run 3 practice sessions per group based on our previous track times, ultimatly its up to the driver to decide with practice group. Practice sessions are 3 laps with passing only on the main straight. Then after lunch we are timed from a standing start, drag strip type start, for one flying lap with a clean track in front of each driver, balls to the wall for quickest time in your respective class. I run Street Unlimited, which allows just about anything with the lowest treadwear rating being 200. ( therefore the class name Street for street tires ) The top car in my class is a modified EVO, the guy leaves the line off a 6500 rev limiter and flys around the track a good 5 seconds faster. He covers the 1.95 mile 7 turn track in 1 min 22 sec, my best is 1 min 27.4 sec. Good times and the cost is very reasonable $110 for the day with Midwest Council of Motorsporst clubs. This is the second largest amatuer racing club in the U.S. next to SCCA and this is their 50th anniversary.

Time Attack (aka ProSolo) is no joke. You definitely earned those battle scars the hard way. Coulda been a lot worse. Glad you're safe. I would love to see Steve Rupp run those pix in Camaro Performers.

[PARKERRS]

Sorry to hear about the damage Matt but as everyone else said metal can be fixed. Just glad that you weren't injured and you were having fun with the car before the mishap. It was nice meeting you at RTTH and hope to see you again next year. You've got a long winter to beat out the dents and get her back up to speed.

Tommy

[protour73]

Matt...............where is the track?

[Bow Tie 67]

South Beloit IL right at the IL WI boarder north of Rockford.

[gordonquixote]

Don't fix the metal until you get a few more runs throught turn 7 - lol

Sorry about the car, I'd say you came out smelling like a rose, all things considered.

[TitoJones]

I'm sorry to hear about the car, and glad to hear you are OK.

Kudos to you for actually tracking your car and getting it fast enough to bend it up a little. Most guys wouldn't even un-trailer the thing.

Tyler

[Rhino]

...and raise phb up 2 inches(moves roll center up) to loosen rear way up so it will come around in the tight autox courses.

Please excuse my "noob-ness" on this one. When you refer to raising and lowering the phb, are you speaking of the axle end?

[hotrdblder]

both ends, it is important to keep the phb level at static ride height, as it will keep the rear end from moving laterally to a minimum.
raising the phb acts like raising the spring rate 50-100 lbs, it moves the rc higher so the body has less leverage on the susp, which in turn loosens the rear up(making car have less grip before it looses traction) and helps it turn on a tight course. the opposite happens if you lower phb, it makes the springs seems softer and tightens the rear, which will make the car push, on my tq arm i have 2 inches of phb adjustment on both sides, axle and chassis, which is a great aid for tuning for different racing, whether it be autox or open track days.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/IMG_1558-1.jpg

[BA.]

sorry to hear about this man but really glad you're ok and the car is very fixable.


...and you STILL kept racing!!! Outstanding! :) You are a 'no excuses', die-hard enthusiast! I love it!

[69rs]

Sorry Matt. Here ya go, pre-crunch!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/RTTHIV163-1.jpg?t=1222661741

[Bow Tie 67]

After looking at that pic, I think the car needs a spoiler to go along with the new bodywork.

A pic from late in the day on a timed run.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2141433930065608932ZmeYzH)