[Eric_K]

Unlike Jim's, my weekend ended poorly. I was following an American Sedan (AS) class Mustang in a race at Portland. Exiting the chicane the Mustang massively blows his engine. I braked going into the cloud but couldn't see where he went. When he appeared, broadside in the track, I was sliding on his oil slick and couldn't stop. It was like the car accelerated when it hit the oil! Bang. Messed up the nose pretty good. Anyone have a cheap spare bumper cover?



It is really hard running with AS cars. I can do the same lap times but they have twice the horspower and disappear everytime the road gets straight. They usually run out of brakes, tire or driver and fade towards the end of the race but they are a pain in the ass until then.



Here is the video:

http://www.968turbo.com/videos/DoernbecherCrash.wmv



And the end result:

   

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[968rz]

Sorry to hear about the hit Eric but glad it wasn't serious.

Nothing worse than getting Ford all over your car <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ninja.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[pmcrespo]

So glad that you are ok and the car was not terribly serious.



But, s***! What the hell..... that makes four 968s in about 2 months... and that's out of what.... 10-15 of us that are/were actively racing them? And for the most part, 3 out of the 4, not driver error and plain bad freaking luck... it is ridiculous... I know, I know... its all statistics, odds, bla, bla... but still pisses me off...



Glad you and the ride are mostly ok. you'll be back on in no time...



Awesome driving by the way...



Good luck on the fix.... and great to see the hood pretty much survived it unscratched... I obviously cant offer my bumper cover or fender to you... otherwise I would....

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[PorscheDude]

Ouch!

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[rhudeboye]

We share your pain. Glad your OK and from the looks of it the car wont be out for too long.

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[94SilverCab]

Glad that you're ok...that'll buff right out (had to be said)



Jay

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[Mark]

Sorry to hear/see that but glad you are OK and the car is not hurt too seriously. Hopefully you'll have her back in shape in the not too distant future.

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[flash]

ok - that's settles it - i am definitely going fiberglass on the entire front end on the race car - i would much rather just remove and replace shattered components than have to deal with bent stuff

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[Eric_K]

[quote name='968rz' post='59994' date='Sep 16 2008, 11:56 PM']Nothing worse than getting Ford all over your car[/quote]

Ha, that is a good way to state it. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



The car will be back, the question is when. If I hadn't slowed down as much as I did the car would probably be toast. I was going to run a 12 hour race at the end of October but that may not happen now.

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[rhudeboye]

I also noticed that you bled off a lot of your speed before impact. Looking at the pic, I would've actually expected less damage.

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[Anchorman]

Given the circumstances, I'd say you got away lucky - this could have been quite a bit worse. That's not, though, meant to minimize your pain and suffering - any accident is a bitch, and this was certainly what the word "accident" is meant to describe. Nobody did anything wrong, some things happen.



I was a bit surprised that you were willing to restart the engine and drive away without first getting out to see how much, and what kind of, damage you'd suffered. I'm not sure I would have been able to react the same way.



Glad you weren't hurt, and that the car appears not to have been hurt beyond repair. Best of luck getting it back together.

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[Eric_K]

With one car already spinning to a stop next to me (you can hear him but not really see him) my main thought was to get the F*** out of there! The engine never died, but I knew my race was over, it was just to limp back to the paddock. I don't feel lucky, but yes it could have been much worse. Its a risk you assume by going out there.

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[cosimo]

Eric, sorry for the "dislocation" of your fender. I noticed that you are from Woodinville, WA. My wife and I were in Woodinville 3 weeks tasting wine. I wish I had paid more attention to your location before I left. Buona Fortuna with the repair and hope can get back on the track soon. It is great seening 968s on then track.

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[Eric_K]

[quote name='cosimo' post='60082' date='Sep 18 2008, 06:44 AM']My wife and I were in Woodinville 3 weeks tasting wine.[/quote]

Wow, tasting wine for 3 weeks! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> I live less than 5 minutes from Chateau Ste Michelle. Drop me a note the next tiime you in town for a binge. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[cosimo]

Correction, we were not there for 3 weeks. It was 3 weeks ago. My mistake. Wa were at Chateau St Michelle. It was the best of the places we went for tasting. Certainly a beautiful place. We were staying in Seattle after a trip by train across Canada. Had a great lunch at the Barking Frog. I should have paid more attention to where 968ers are located. I try to keep track of Porsches on my trip but did not see many in the area. In my travels I did not see one 968.

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[sguy]

HI Eric, Bummer on the Ford roadblock and crunched corner. That makes a crunched fender the second annual event for this Sept. PIR race, only it was the other side last year. Remember you were back running for the enduro after that one. I did not see your post post earlier because I was getting ready to finish my racing season at PR last weekend. Unfortunately I did not 'waterproof' the car and I got rather wet with constant rain on Saturday. Of well that's what you get with formula car racing. The person who won the races in the rain is an ex-hydroplane racer. Keep me posted on the Enduro and if it's a go I'll try to make it. I'm just really busy now changing jobs, but will be more settled in a month.

Cheers, Stephen

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[Eric_K]

Stephen - The car should be back together for the 12 Hour. The timing and damage are a way too similar to last years events. Not a good trend to be starting!



Your race looked wet. Do you know this guy?

http://www.standleyfamily.com/gallery/disp...=105&pos=18

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[sguy]

Eric, Yep that's me piloting my hydroplane Elden Formula Ford. The car was so likely to hydroplane on the front straight that I had to limit top speed. One of the car pictures shows a front tire off the pavement after going through a puddle.



I'll start planning for the Enduro.



CHeers, Stephen

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[Lord_Galva]

Dam.

Sorry to hear about the accident.

I've been a big fan of yours since I accidently found your 2006 video.



Now I want to race so bad.

Accidents are unfortunate but it is also expected when you get 20-40 guys flying around a ring with varying skill levels.

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[Renalicious]

Aww man, that sucks Eric, but good to know that the car is salvageable, and that you're ok to race another day. If you can make it for that 12H race let me know, I'll still try to make it despite the budget is a bit strained right now. There is more than one way to get to, and stay in, Portland <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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