Roush Mustang Crash Lime Rock HPDE

Crash at Lime Rock Mid November cold and rainy. 2002

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• ben
• wagman
• roush
• mustang
• lime
• rock
• hpde
• crash

[bwagman]

Had I done more steering input (or counter steering) given the traffic and track conditions the outcome would have likely been much worse than $1000 front end repair the car sustained. Possible multicar accident in the making. There was a pack of traffic behind me ( maybe 5 cars, one spun behind me )as this was a warmup lap. Who knows???Those of us out there had various levels of experience (some more some less) which can easily factor into a significant pile up and possible injury. I le

[GVVJG]

didnt even countersteer?

[bwagman]

@GVVJG

considering the cold, wet track, and traffic...Had I counter steered, the results could have been much worse. I could have ended up hitting another car,...(notice the car that almost hit me at the end)...Instead I escaped with less than $1,000 damage...There's not much one can do when you hydroplane, especially in those conditions...

[bwagman]

The negative comments are likely by individuals who never tracked their car (1/4 mile runs aren't the same). As noted by an intelligent viewer, a BMW spun out right behind me. A white Supra crashed after the S turn. All this in about 2 minutes. Counter steering is useless when the pavement may have well have been ice (or close to it). The HPDE was in November and early enough in the morning where it was around 40 degrees with a light misty rain. Of course my fault for running too high tire

[IanTheVideoRater]

how does that happen...

[bwagman]

@IanTheVideoRater The event was In mid November, cold, mid morning, drizzle, and over inflated street tires.

[flagator2009]

@bwagman yea just blame the tires, or the cold weather, or the inflation amount of the tires.... they all drove the car right? They drive cars?

You might think that it could be the guy DRIVING the cars fault?? NOOOO! no way it was novembers fault!

[123aellis]

@zunetrav4 yea that's a really good point... I think the confidence is the most important factor in a quick-thinking situation like that.

[zunetrav4]

@123aellis That's very true but to do something like that on a slippery track with traffic behind you takes driving experience, skill and confidence. Something that the driver may have been lacking, so in my eyes nothing wrong with better safe than sorry

[123aellis]

@zunetrav4 if the countersteer is the right amount, and fast enough, it wouldn't swing back. That would be over-correcting... correct the proper amount and the problem is solved.

[zunetrav4]

@123aellis On a slippery track? Inertia is a bitch. Not only would fast counter steering swing the car back straight, it'd keep sliding round, with about 5 cars behind him..

[123aellis]

@bwagman counter-steering doesn't put other cars in danger. not doing anything puts other cars in danger.

you don't need to try and be a drift king and slide for 100 ft, all you needed to do was one very quick 90-180 degree countersteer (i mean like 0.1-0.2 of a second for the entire motion) and it would kill the slide completely as long as you aren't mashing the throttle. all you need is to keep throttle input the same (dont jump off or apply any more) and add a quick and positive counter-steer

[RenaultSport133]

@bwagman That's not even close to hydroplaning , it's just very slippery road surface... also , you should have countersteered and calmed the car down , letting the car go is a better option only if you are not sure in your capabilities as a driver in which case you could cause more damage than you would done in the first place..( mostly by overcorrecting it )

[ae864agehachi]

Also, the BMW most likely spun out due to a quick lift off throttle or a jerky manuever to avoid the Mustang. You guys need to understand these are your average drivers that want to try out their cars in a safe controlled environment. They are no Andretti (its a track day and there are amateurs) Never ever blame conditions... Your the driver, you have the controls and you make the call if its safe to go on track or not.

[ae864agehachi]

Conditions sure looked poor but the driver of the Mustang just made a rookie mistake that gets the best of us. He needs to accept his mistake and not blame the conditions. It is your first your first initial reaction to countersteer when the tail end kicks out regardless of the conditions. (you just do it subconciously) There was barely any input on the steering at all. Half a turn of lock most likely would have saved that and a bit smoother throttle control. Its a lesson for everyone.