Well, it's an Eagle, it's supposed to fly...right?
thanks for all who came by and helped us get the Eagle back into the trailer. the car is broken, but it could have been worse.
In trying to run both Mid Div and EWC I've created a problem with tires, and decided to try to run tires that weren't fresh this year. In addition, it was an ill advised move on my part to try to make an inside pass, with slightly out of adjustment bias, or better stated rears that couldn't take what I was trying to provide. The rears locked, spun to drivers right, slid through the grass, all was well, I saw that Dr. Hall was heavy on the brakes and we weren't going to hit...thought I'd slip out to far side of track. But, instead hooked earth inside of 7, and flipped it. took out right side uprights, and some minor chassis parts...didn't touch the paint job!
My flip and Tom's incident are entirely different situations. In one case, I made a poor choice and paid the price, without affecting (hitting) any other cars. Sorry for messing up the race pace.
tom's situation was not of his doing, and though I didn't see it (I was in medical...they did a great job, thank you!) it was because not enough racing room was provided, in an area that is nigh impossible to pass in.
From an engineering perspective, the roll bar broke off just where you would expect it to, right at the heat affected zone, just above where the tubes triangulate. the Eagle has a triangulation from the top of the bar, back to the rear bulkhead which prevents that, but DB1's don't (and can't) have that arrangment.
To Mr. Cohn's comment, it seems that I recall a coming together with a certain citation and recently ground up restored FF at HPT...weren't those the only FF's on the track???? Brian, we all make mistakes.
Thanks for everyone's support, especially Steve Beeler! this is a great challenge and I appreciate everyone being friendly...even after I screwed up big time.
congratulations to Phil and Bill...hopefully we'll be back next year.
Hans
Oh, I remember all too well
I really screwed the pooch in June of 2005 at HPT. I feel as though I still owe Gabe as he rightly should have punched me a good one. I deserved it. Low margin move, totally my fault, took out Gabe and an innocent SRF as well. I spent the entire race sitting in the corner station with my head in my hands. Honestly, I can't recall a time ever feeling so crushed about my lack of judgement and poor driving.
My point is simply to look at the big picture:
Look at the number of cars that got crashed, bent, broken, etc in a single 2 day period. Then look at the EWC over the last year or so to see if there is a trend. I am betting there is one.....
I am Race Director for two NASA Regions (Think Chief Steward only with Pro Racing powers). I pull drivers aside when I see trends start to happen. I had two just last week to deal with.
Really, that's all I am getting at. Instead of an out of touch Cheif Steward sticking their nose in, how about a drivers meeting lead by Steve or one of his designates to set the expectations for the weekend?
I'd hate too see the EWC start to get a reputation as a crash festival. That's not good for any of us.
BTW, it's killing me that an EWC race was 70 miles from my home and I still couldn't pull off attending. I'm dying to get back in the seat.....heading to St. Louis to do some prep work next week for a few days. That will have to do for now.....