Experienced Competetion Drivers..., What did this guy do wrong? Options

[MikeInMunich]

Hey Guys! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wavey.gif)

I can't figure out what happened in this crash, which you may or may not have seen on You Tube. You can easily find it by searching "914 Accident".

Here is the URL: https://youtu.be/BHYYlTZIZQ4

I estimate that in the video the guy covers about 125m in 3 seconds (while sliding), which is 2500 per minute...150 km/hr or 91 mph. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

So he's going into a curve which isn't sharp at just under 100 MPH with nearly optimum tires and suspension, and he loses it. I can't speak from experience at all here. I've never been in a curve at that speed, athough I can say that my car, with 195-50 Goodrich G-Force Sport Comps (HIGHLY recommend, by the way, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)) front AND rear sway bars and Bilstine performance struts, can easily handle much sharper turns (exit ramps) at about 60 MPH with no problem. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

I'm interested in hearing opinions of what happened here and why he seems to have not counter steered at all to regain control. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Looking forward to your comments, opinions and insights! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Thanks!

By the way, anybody heading over to Munich for the Oktoberfest? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

M.i.M.

[Dave_Darling]

It still looks like the crash is inevitable as the video starts, so being able to see more before that would help determine where the loss of control started, and in-cockpit footage might tell us exactly how it started.

It sure appears as if the driver got over his head. That can certainly happen in a few hundred yards--remember, I have actually crossed the start line of an autoX backwards... I'm not sure this guy is much better than I am, which is not a compliment.

Some people build cages so they are legal and pass inspection. In many cases, roll cages can be a whole lot safer and better than the minimum required. Since I don't know the safety rules for Pikes Peak (nor do I even know what year this incident happened; rules do change over time!) it is very possible that this falls into the gap between "legal" and "excellent".

BTW, the whole "11/10ths" metaphor is referring to the limits of the car. Typically you approach the limits gradually, especially on a race track where you get quite a few laps. Driving at 10/10ths means you are at the very limit. Pushing harder than that, overdriving the car, is usually counterproductive (you lose time fighting the car for traction) and makes it a whole lot easier to completely lose control and encounter various parts of the scenery. When those parts are solid, you get incidents like this. So driving 11/10ths is slower at best, and dangerous at worst.

... Overdriving the car is one of the things I have to fight when I autoX my car....

--DD