Most of us who go club racing like to minimize the danger of it when we’re talking to spouses, friends, potential co-drivers — but you just never know when something bizarre like this is going to happen. I’ve driven that turn a hundred-plus times and I have no idea how I’d react to that situation. Well, it can always go bad — but since this driver walked away, it could have been much worse.
I love how he just nonchalantly looks around after it happens like “Well… crap”
That’s because when you spin out and are just stuck , Vs. rolling or endoing , that’s what it is ~ an ‘ Oh crap ‘ moment instead of far worse .
-Nate
He had committed to his line and speed through the corner when the rain hit, so he was basically screwed. Did a good job of limiting his losses, from what I can see.
Racing drivers here: What could/should he have done differently, if anything?*
*Besides checking the weather forecast on his smartphone before heading out. I have a to-the-minute update app, and it is surprisingly accurate.
Freak rain has happened driving down the interstate and I’ve seen cars go sliding off and they weren’t traveling at the cars limits… shit happens I suppose but like what another has said… committing to the line even though you can’t see is you best bet.
ouch…
judging by the car’s interior he was probably on slicks?
so pretty much SOL no matter what, I’d think
glad he’s ok
Well, as I have always heard, if you can’t afford to wad it up, don’t race it. No that any of us want to see a car wrecked. He had on good gear and was prepared for it. Better the car than him. It might not be that bad. The engine was still running. If it was wet grass, he probably didn’t twist up the suspension terribly and it might just be a little bond and a front clip
One day I’m blasting through my favorite right hand sweeper in the rain on the way to Pukalani, waiting for the slight sideways hop the rear tires perform as I mash the throttle in my turbocharged L-body and howl out of there. Another day I cross over the culvert on Hansen Rd, well under the speed limit on damp tarmac which has been washed clean hours before and the skittish minisport decides it’s going to swap ends no matter what I do.
The best you can hope for is to have the skills necessary to effect recovery or at the very least minimize damage, and the reflexes to engage them when the worst case scenario jumps out and shouts, “boo!”