A couple of guys have emailed me about this to see if I was OK.

Answer is yes, a bit stiff, a little floater in one eye, nothing serious. My passenger (MattH) is also thankfully OK.

What happened ?

Came down pit straight, I normally accelerate right up to the end of the chevrons, so doing 105+ mph.
Hit the brakes...pedal bounces off the bulkhead, no resistance or retardation. A couple of pumps have the same effect.

OK, realise it's gonna hurt one way or another, so for a variety of reasons I opt to take the gravel square on and turn it into the tyre wall broadside. (did NOT want to roll)

Unfortunately the gravel is still frozen solid, so we hit rather hard.



Scoobs are so fecking strong !!
They drove Shed back to the paddock.

Damage ?
All nearside panels, door glass
Front bumper
NSF wishbone bent back about 20 degrees
Track rod fractured
NSF lights
Little dent in the bonnet
Not sure about engine yet...pissing coolant though

All pillars are straight
Side impact bars intact
Floorpan looks OK too
As is screen


Tough, tough buggers these cars. The doors still open and shut FFS !

Thanks for all the sympathetic emails

DJ
This has really made me think about giving passenger rides though........

 

ouch sympathies, at least youre ok, its only metal end of day

 

'kin hell DJ thats looks a real biggie

So what happened to the brakes?

What is it with wagons & brakes. You may remember that it was me with Dave Lewis when his brakes went at Bedford.

Glad your OK though.

Ian

 

Ian, that was exactly what was going through my mind as we walked (slowly ) back to the pits.

Same car, same colour, same brakes.....Him upstairs doesn't like Red Estates LOL

 

glad your ok, heard about your off, dont get all para tho, get back out there, best thing for it imo.

matt

[Edited by 2wdcossie - 2/17/2003 5:15:54 PM]

 

Too fkin right I'm going back out mate.

Just not sure about rides now.

 

DJ,

I'd still want a passanger ride with you.

Even if you do insist on going in co-pilot side first

Personall I'd be very disapointed if you stopped giving px's

Ian

 

But just to add I can understand why you might want to stop.

Ian

 

I was really sorry to hear about it, not a nice thing to happen at all Doc Hope you manage to get it repaired real soon.

 

DJ



It just goes to show, that even the most experienced drivers can have accidents.

Quite the opposite, judging by the condition of the car you must have one dented guardian angel.

 

Nowt to do with experience or not Neil.

It was a mechanical failure somewhere. Will know exactly where soon enough.

 

Doc,
Just glad you and Matt are OK

I would be a great loss if you where to give up rides, but I can understand your position

For those who don't have the skill or nerves to do fast laps or track days at all, pax laps are the only way to really see what a Scoob can do

Hope your back on track soon,
Iain.

 

DJ, exactly. Things break. Don't give up passenger rides! I still blame you for 'making' me buy my AP 6 pots...

 

****....glad to hear you're both ok "angel on the towbar" was how I heard someone put it - not that you've got a towbar

Nice driving, makes the difference in a situation like that, looks like you made a good choice

Re: the floaters, I assume you've got it checked out already () but just in case you havn't, make sure you do - floaters to detached retina to blindness in one eye Sure it's nothing serious though..

Jen and Chris

(btw, don't use Strides of Botely (used by Sparshatts)! IMHO of course )

 

Looks to me like the Guardian angel was sat behind the wheel.

Great piece of driving that made a bad situation better then it could have been.

Glad to hear you are ok.

Dave

 

Glad you're both ok.

Look forward to seeing you back on track pdq

 

DJ,
The one main diffence between you and me was there was nothing in my way.

Only just heard, mate. Glad to hear you're o.k. Is red 5 repairable?

Check your hoses. My hoses had come away from their retaining clips on the suspension struts and rubs on the disks. Cut through the braided bit then when I stood on them......POP

Might be a good idea for everyone with aftermarket kits and hoses to check their their condition if this is the same cause.


Anyway, glad you're o.k. I'm sure you'll be back!!!

 

Glad you are both okay.

How does your insurance work on track days, is it a separate policy you take out for the day? I'm sure Direct Line would have something to say if I took mine to a track and trashed it!!!!

Dan

 

Hi DJ.... glad to hear from you in the flesh.

I was told about this incident on sunday whilst in the pit lane. I am sorry this had to happen.

We've been doing this kind of thing for years and you always have that thought in the back of your mind - glad you kept that bit in reserve to bring the car to a halt as best you could under the circumstances - there isn't a great amount of time to make a decision after the chevons on the pit lane - fortunately you made the correct one by the looks of things.

Just looking at those frames in the post looks like the kitty litter didn't even begin to let your car sink in and get off some speed...it must have been really cold the night before.

Glad you and your passenger are ok - I'm sure you will be back 'out there' as soon as you can be.

Best regards

Ian.

 

I know it is of little comfort but from what you are saying it could have happened at anytime, you are almost lucky it happened there rather than on a public road!! It could have been worse..........

Take care.

 

Glad to hear you're ok DJ!!

Matt

 

bugger!


glad everyone was ok though dj

 

Sorry to hear about the car m8 , at least you guys walked away from it.

 

Hmm, I have just had a similar thing -- one of my Goodridge hoses had come unclipped and was rubbing on the inside of the wheel. Is there a design flaw with this hose kit?

 

Dave

Couldn't get the wheel off.
Will know better when I nip down the bodyshop tomorrow.

Until I know for sure I can't comment. Don't want to start any rumours that turn out to be wrong.

 

Soory to hear bout this guys, glad you are both ok.Rock on Subaru!!!!!!!!

 

I know what you mean, let me know offline, I'm curious.

 

Jeez DJ, glad you're both ok

Sorry about poor Red tho'

Sal

 

As long as you & your passenger are ok, that's the main thing

it sure does make you think about giving passenger rides though. What if someone was to be injured? they may not be so understanding! . not that it would stop me co-driving for anybody

 

David I'll email you tomorrow after I've had a nosey around underneath.....