Serious: Totaled my 914 yesterday, everyone OK :( Options

[Dr Evil]

So Chris; Have you retained an attorney yet??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

I dont think that the pole has anything to sue for (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[lagunero]

Wow! Glad to hear you guys are "Ok".

[Spoke]

So Chris; Have you retained an attorney yet??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

I dont think that the pole has anything to sue for (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

So the pole is in good shape? The utility companies don't like it when people whack their high priced exotic sports cars against their equipment. Last thing you need is to have to pay for a new pole (and the labor to install it). PennDot also like to charge you to replace signs and guardrails too.

[PCA7GGR]

Mike,

I'm sorry about the car but glad that injuries are relatively minor.

I tend to be more cautious driving on the street than on the track. On the track there are course workers, safety crew, ambulance and a tow truck in case something goes wonky. In addition, most drivers are going in the same direction and paying attention.

Get the best settlement you can from your insurance - get as much documentation to support your car's value - and then find a rust free 914 to move your tasty bits to.

Sergio

[Leo Imperial]

Next time try the auto X to test your skills. We could have lost two of our best mechanics. Man am I glad you guys made it out ok.... This is going to be so much fun to bring up forever!!!

I will make myself available for both of you if you want some help with the body work. We can bondo the teeth and the car. When I get done you will never know it happened.

Mike you should have been running on cookie cutters and Chris ask me first before you step into a car with mad Mike. You know he is just looking for some extra time in the OR.

[norustscott]

Bad decisions. We all make them. I personally have made 1000's.

Mike, I have to commend you for posting this. I am sure my pride would have stood in the way if it where I. Like all, I am glad to see both driver and passenger will heal. This post will serve as a reminder that our 35 year old cars, regradless of our engineering and driving skills can and will bite us big.

If you are looking for answers to what happend in a matter of seconds I suggest,

> too fast entering the turn and the car simply began that all too familiar 914 drift. ussually very predictacle and managble at lower speeds...
> the natural reaction is to lift and lift fast. *bad* if going fast,
> Speed is in question...If running high RPM at the time you lift, the rear tires began to brake under the decel and started the spin.
> From there you have to think about your feet. on the brake? on the gas? in on the clutch? ( ..in a spin? both feed in.)

> you say you oversteered to the left. corrected to oversteer right then back left again to a long slide to the pole? not both feed it.

> this was the last turn of a series of ess's...the problem may have started in the previous turn the car never recovered from the agressive second turn ? upset the balance cause the drift...lift cause the spin ...



wow, I have done it several times at autoX speeds 50 or less. I upset the balance of the car with agressive input, lifted to bleed speed to make the next gate and around she goes. Now, add another 10 or 20 mph and the time it takes to correct in time to save the spin is exponetially decreased. it most cases an almost premeditated or instinctual reaction is required followed by the not so instinctual slight postive throttle position.

I'm sure there is someone on the board that can and will take the analysis to the next level.

I for one will most likly drive my 914 home today slightly slower and safer because of your post.

heal fast guys.

Scott

[Jon Pletcher]

Thats a rotten shame Doc. Thought I'd get to meet you at the swap but had to leave pretty early. Then went to the Autocross Sun morn. after the F1 race to get parts from Fitsbain, who I'd missed Sat. too, and he was wondering where you guys were. That car is a mess!! Were they Early or Late doors?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) I've been considering putting earlys on mine to save weight and this is the best reason I've seen to keep the lates. Hope you all feel fine soon. If you need an extra hand I'm less than an hour away. JP

[iamchappy]

Mike, this really makes me fear getting my car back on the road.

What tires were on your car, it looks like that turn shouldn't have given you
that much trouble at 35.

I do know my ES100's are horrible at 45 or colder i
drove with them like i was on ice when it was cold. Also they dont squeal so
there is no warning when they do let go.

Chris, hockey players get all of the hot chicks and they dont have teeth either.

[Dr Evil]

They were the late doors on my 73. I am partial to those for a street car for just such reasons. I have no interest in lightening up the car in the safety department.

I am lucky that my local friend is a licensed appraiser and Porsche, especially 914, dealer. He also knows the guy who towed my car and is storing it. Things could be much worse on that end.

[Wilhelm]

(IMG:http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b188/type11969/bustedface.jpg)

So did they dilate his right pupil or does he have congenitally dilated right pupil?

I'm glad your both alive.

[Dr Evil]

Dilated at the docs, no congenital or traumatic cranial nerve damage.

[Root_Werks]

First off, damn..glad you guys are ok..
I would suggest, cold tires, extra wieght (you normally drive alone)
You may have carried to much speed into the corner, and with the extra weight you were braking harder...therefore more weight transfer to the front and cold tires (it was pretty cold) will handle like you are on ice...

I have a set of summer tires that are like driving on ice this time of year...

Rich

Yup, I am thinking cold tires as well. It was colder that Sun that it had been. More cold = less stick. These were 255s on the back after all.

Mike, glad to hear you both made it out with only minor injuries. I recently removed 225's and 245's from my 914 after driving it a lot. I found it was just too much tire for that light of a car. I am running 215's now and on the street, it actually grips better/rides better. Don't know if that will help. Just glad you guys are okay. - Dan

[horizontally-opposed]

I do know my ES100's are horrible at 45 or colder i
drove with them like i was on ice when it was cold. Also they dont squeal so
there is no warning when they do let go.

Respectfully, your ES100s are horrible all the time. Terrible in ANY moisture, and IMHO, Yokohama's worst-ever performance tire. I had them on my 914 and my WRX. Square shoulder eliminated progressive break-away and critical feedback. Please get something (nearly anything!) else. Especially in your car! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

Of course, blaming the tires doesn't excuse a driver from fault. We all must drive intelligently within the grip we have to work with...

pete

[Mark Henry]

That sucks Mike, glad everyone is OK.

[horizontally-opposed]

Bad decisions. We all make them. I personally have made 1000's.

Mike, I have to commend you for posting this. I am sure my pride would have stood in the way if it where I. Like all, I am glad to see both driver and passenger will heal. This post will serve as a reminder that our 35 year old cars, regradless of our engineering and driving skills can and will bite us big.

If you are looking for answers to what happend in a matter of seconds I suggest,

> too fast entering the turn and the car simply began that all too familiar 914 drift. ussually very predictacle and managble at lower speeds...
> the natural reaction is to lift and lift fast. *bad* if going fast,
> Speed is in question...If running high RPM at the time you lift, the rear tires began to brake under the decel and started the spin.
> From there you have to think about your feet. on the brake? on the gas? in on the clutch? ( ..in a spin? both feed in.)

> you say you oversteered to the left. corrected to oversteer right then back left again to a long slide to the pole? not both feed it.

> this was the last turn of a series of ess's...the problem may have started in the previous turn the car never recovered from the agressive second turn ? upset the balance cause the drift...lift cause the spin ...


I'm sure there is someone on the board that can and will take the analysis to the next level.

Scott

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Good input here. And good guesses.

Tough thing is it will be nearly impossible to figure out what happened from a keyboard. In all likelihood, it probably was driver error, but too soon to tell without inspecting the car and trying to find trace skid marks (there must be some). Even then, you'd probably need to hire a pro. They do exist, but the benefit to cost ratio might make it not worthwhile.

Like others have said, I'm just very, very glad you too are still with us.

Best wishes,

pete

[stepuptotheMike]

Man that sucks, but glad to hear that you guys are ok.

I've got a tub from a 74 if you might be interested. I could drop that off at your body guy's shop along with that top for the bus on Mother's day weekend.

Let me know.

Mike

[yeahmag]

Wow.. Glad you both will be OK. Sorry for the loss of your car.

-Aaron

[Dr Evil]

Mike, I'll be in touch about the tub. It is a ways off for me as I haven't talked with the adjuster yet.

I agree that no matter how you slice it I was part of the problem. This is something that must be admitted and learned from and will be. I have two locals that know that road and say that they are aware of two slippery spots on it, one of which is where I got into trouble because I WAS going over 20. Even if 25 or 35 it was over 20. It takes a confluence of crap to cause an accident and I believe I had the magic 3 at least: Cold tires, slick surface, incorrect speed. My driving attitude is definitely changed.

[Eric Taylor]

Evil it felt like life just stopped when I saw that car all mashed up. I'm a confirmed luker most of the time, but I've been watching your build for quite some time and I know a big part of you into that car. I really feel for you. I totalled one into a tree once as well. I came through a switchback turn down hill at about 25 mph on throttle and it started to drift, stabbed the breaks (genius) and slammed the front end into a huge tree. That little 73 was no more. It sucked, but I got a new car and now I have new projects so somtimes positives come out of extreme negatiaves. You have the option now (assuming insurance goes well) to do up whatever car you want however you want to! Always a bright side I guess. But man those pictures really make my stomach drop.

Eric

[914werke]

Holy Hell~! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
Live and Learn Buddy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)
Best wish and be well (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

R.