[mike]

I had a track incident at Homestead the last weekend in July. There were multiple factors (as there usually are) that contributed to this incident.

1) This was my 7th track day at HMS but this was just my 2nd lap of my first session of the weekend so I was probably a little rusty.

2) My tires were probably not up to temp and the car was understeering at the time.

3) Someone had knocked a cone into the middle of the track on the previous turn which caused me to take a slightly different line into that turn which changed my line into the next quick turn.

4) The herding tires were about 2-3 feet inside the line that they should have been on. This can be seen in the video at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=52...566572282&hl=en



Bottom line is that it was driver error but I had to analyze to make myself feel better <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



You can see some laps where I didn't hit something here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=52...748972619&hl=en



mike

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Mark]

Sorry to hear/see this, but at least you are OK. How is the car? Looks like it might not be too bad from the video.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[cosimo]

Great driving. I noticed you were not wearing any gloves. Do you prefer being gloveless? Also there seemed to a lot of passing. At PCA DEs, passing is restricted to the straightaways. This apparently was not a PCA DE. Your passenger or instructor seemd to be enjoying the ride. Sorry about you"rub".

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Eric_K]

Cold tires can catch anybody out, especially if you have to drive off line. Spinning on the first lap of day is always embarrasing too - BTDT. Since you got more video, I guess the car wasn't hurt? You might want to check the alignment though. Even things like cones can wreak havoc if you hit them fast enough.



"Herding Tires" - never heard that term before, but I guess it is an accurate description. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Eric

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Anchorman]

Sorry about your incident. I also noticed that the passenger (instructor?) seemed to be enjoying the ride - that always feels good.



I've only driven at Watkins Glen - your video reminded me of how flat Florida is. It also showed me how tight the Glen is - generally speaking, mistakes at the Glen are much more damaging.



What top speed do you get to before you come off the oval onto the road course?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[mike]

[quote name='Mark' date='Aug 10 2006, 10:40 AM']Sorry to hear/see this, but at least you are OK. How is the car? Looks like it might not be too bad from the video.

[right][post="25143"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



The car is ok. It popped the undertray loose but I was able to fasten it back into place at the track with no problem. Took some paint off of the front bumper cover and broke the plastic mesh grille and left some yellow paint on the side of the car which buffed out. (See the pictures below.) I now have a good excuse to get the bumper cover repainted. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />





[quote name='cosimo' date='Aug 10 2006, 10:40 AM']Great driving. I noticed you were not wearing any gloves. Do you prefer being gloveless? Also there seemed to a lot of passing. At PCA DEs, passing is restricted to the straightaways. This apparently was not a PCA DE. Your passenger or instructor seemd to be enjoying the ride. Sorry about you"rub".

[right][post="25144"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



I have worn gloves and not worn gloves. I like gloves but they are not essential to me right now. You are correct that this was not a PCA event. It was Chin Motorsports. Passing was allowed anywhere as long as you get a point.



[quote name='Eric_K' date='Aug 10 2006, 10:53 AM']"Herding Tires" - never heard that term before, but I guess it is an accurate description.  <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



[right][post="25146"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



It was a new term to me before I hit them and somebody else referred to them that way. I plan to get the car re-aligned before I go back on track.



[quote name='Anchorman' date='Aug 10 2006, 12:39 PM']Sorry about your incident.  I also noticed that the passenger (instructor?) seemed to be enjoying the ride - that always feels good.



I've only driven at Watkins Glen - your video reminded me of how flat Florida is.  It also showed me how tight the Glen is - generally speaking, mistakes at the Glen are much more damaging.



What top speed do you get to before you come off the oval onto the road course?

[right][post="25148"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



The passenger was a friend. I am actually one of the chief driving instructors for CMS which made this all the more embarassing <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> . We were doing a little lead-follow with another friend (who is also a CDI) in the Miata (which is turbocharged). I have no idea what top speed I was hitting but I was just shifting in to 5th just before entering turn 1 which I could take with my foot to the floor. No braking until turn 2.



I have only seen video of WG and I agree that there is not much room for error there. Chin Motorsports took over the Traquest events on the East coast and now does 1 or 2 events/year at the Glen. I would love to make it up there but it is a long haul from Orlando.



mike

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Anchorman]

Mike, thanks for the added info and perspectives. I've been to Watkins Glen four times - twice with Tracquest and twice with Chin. I've really enjoyed what I call the controlled flexibility of the Chin format. I've never done a PCA DE, as it's only since late last year that I have a roll bar in my cab and - at least in theory - can qualify for PCA events.



Chin has an event at VIR in December for which I'm trying to work out the logistics - any chance you'd be making that one? Virginia is much closer to Orlando that the Glen is.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[mike]

Anchor, even though VIR is still a fairly long drive, I would like to make it there. CMS has gone there the past 2 or 3 years and I have not been able to go for one reason or another. I hear that it is a really nice track and I would love to go so maybe if I start planning now I can figure out a way to make it. I already know that we are going to Alaska during tha Christmas holidays to visit my wife's sister so I'm not sure how that will impact my plan.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Jason Judd]

Maybe I'll go to VIR, too!



Let me know if you all are serious about it...



I'm an instructor for them up at Watkins Glen, and I might be able to intstruct there, too...



Jason

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[mike]

I'd love to see your car Jason but it looks like my VIR plans will be foiled again this year. I recently found out that relatives from up North will be visiting us that weekend.



mike

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Clem]

I may be trying to get to that VIR event.

You can't beat a December track fix!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Jason Judd]

You can't beat a December track fix!

___________________



Jim,



You said it right!



Jason

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.