NASA racer

etc. Our car scales at 1250lbs without fuel but with driver and while this is still way less than an M3, it's far from 1,000lbs which is what a modern DSR car weighs and the old-fashioned chassis has lots of space compared to formula-car conversion DSRs.

I had a "rubbin is racin" episode once with a Spec Miata and he came off worse than me so to some extent it's a "tough" car though the car Adam was killed in was the same basic car that we run except he had a Hayabusa engine.

But we'd still be in deep ka ka if we got T-boned by a heavy car but IMHO more from a point of impact than anything else since our chassis/cage is more massive than most sedans on the side.

But the height of another cars bumpers etc would be a problem:
<img src="http://pictureposter.allbrand.nu/pictures/nasa+racer/radical/day+1+e.jpg">

Incidentally, other than the HANS, we just installed some side-impact head protection:
<img src="http://pictureposter.allbrand.nu/pictures/nasa+racer/radical/head+restraints.jpg">

But OTOH, if I end up dead on one of these forums, remember I never said any of this was "safe".

Krisko

But I guess it's no different than rush hour in a Miata surrounded by Hummers.

NASA racer

between the trucks and ASC cars, I kid you not, they couldn't make ONE TURN without half of them going off. It was pure carnage and cars that missed chicanes just kept their feet planted on the gas and came back onto the track at speed regardless of angle.

Fortunately, one of my shoulder straps wasn't in properly and I pitted to fix it (couldn't reach it on the track) and when I resumed, those guys were well gone. It was only supposed to be a shake-down and it was nearly the end of the freaking car right there and then!

Took them several hours to come up with the "results" due to all the penalties and crashes etc. This Porsche went blazing past right under a waving yellow and immediately after this Mustang had crashed! I mean he couldn't see it???
<img src="http://pictureposter.allbrand.nu/pictures/nasa+racer/california+speedway/canon_all_pics_019.jpg">

Next day was Mike's turn and we ran in the small-bore class at the head of the Spec-racers and they decided to start that class behind the sedans and Mike passed 50 cars before that race ended heh.

Don't really want to run the car in SU since we try to "save it" for the enduro...they also added a warm-up and enduro qualifying on race-day so the car is pretty busy as it is and there's always the chance of damaging or breaking the car and our priority is the enduros.

What's in pieces about your car? Upgrades or regular maintenance stuff?

NASA racer

yeah it wasn't any more fun than it looks. Thing was that I was in the middle of these guy's race and didn't want to spoil it but they seemed equally determined to kill me. I lost count of how many cars crashed/spun/went off in front of me in that race.

<img src="http://pictureposter.allbrand.nu/pictures/nasa+racer/california+speedway/dsc_0090.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.allbrand.nu/pictures/nasa+racer/california+speedway/DSC_0087.JPG">

Krisko

In light of recent events and in looking at pics of your cage I might plan to stay in touring cars indefinitely. I know there is more speed and more fun in SRs but there seems to be more safety in a 3000lb car.

And your last sentence is giving me the heebeejeebees. We all know the risks but I feel weird when I read stuff like that.

Krisko

I assume that you aren't in the same class as the Mustang that's trying to block you down the straight. That's been happening in BMW CR in the east lately, JS cars blocking IP cars in passing zones.

That's a pet peeve of mine...not only is the slower car holding you up from catching somebody in your class but it's just plain unsafe.

Krisko

I'll run the 90 minute enduro and the 2 sprints. I'm actually considering a run for the PBOC R5 championship instead of the BMW South Atlantic IP championship. The PBOC would be more fun but would involve several thousands of miles of travel (down to Sebring 5 times, Homestead once or twice).

I doubt my car could survive a 6 hour race even if I wanted to run it. Perhaps you me and Studdard can rent an RTR car for the 'race into the night'. It wouldn't be cheap, likely $1000+ from each of us. Studdard is inquiring about that now.

NASA racer

but the MAJORITY of drivers are just trying to run their race and don't want to mess up mine and visa versa...so it's only a small minority of idiots at these enduros these days.

NASA racer

I lost one buddy this year and here's a guy doing exactly what we're doing in the exact car so once again it's a reminder that you have to be aware that it's dangerous.

Believe me, the LAST thing I want to do is get killed in a race car but OTOH, I feel that the minute I start telling myself that it's okay and nothing will ever happen is the moment I stop being that little bit extra cautious out there or in my planning.

AudiJon

Have a codriver for the 90 minute enduro? Or doing that one by yourself?

I'll have to talk to you privately about RTR, there are some serious issues that need to be addressed before I even think about getting back in one of their cars (if ever...). Don't want to wring it all out on here though.

Why don't you think your car would survive a 6 hour race? A little extra car and the right kind of driving, I don't see why not.