Thursday we put the finishing touches on the high mileage car and I breathed a big sigh of relief. The car looked really good and we had already spun it around the back parking lot a few times and it looked like all systems go. This morning we decided to take it out to the track to give the driver a chance to work on his driving technique and all went well for about three laps. He gassed it up a little and it looked like it went in to what on a motorcycle would be a tank slapper. I don't know what you would call it on a rear stear vehicle, a tail wagger? Anyway, he lost control, went into the grass, came back onto the track and barrel rolled the thing. All at about 20 miles per hour. Fortunately the young man driving wasn't hurt beyond a few minor bumps and scrapes. The car, however, suffered some serious injuries. The pulley arrangement that the
steering cables attach to broke off, both mirrors broke and the front axle bent.
Even if I were to do a last minute thrash to machine up a new axle, I'm not going to put a kid back in the saddle unless I know for sure what caused the crash. Unless I can find someone to take this job over, this is it for our high mileage team. It's a real shame that the team doesn't get to run the car after all the hard work that went into it but that's how it is in the old racing game.
3 comments:
Dayem! A tank slapper at only 20 mph?
That's pretty wild. And scary.
Glad the driver wasn't hurt.
You know what the sat about making a "small fortune" in racing. Start with a big one.
Hang in there, Bro.
I forgot to grab the video camera on my way out to the track. Would've made for a nice entry in the highlight film of my teaching career.
The "let down" of not being able to compete hurts worse than any physical injury. The gang sure does have a lot to be proud of, regardless of the outcome.
I've got the fridge for the gym, if you need it. Free delivery.
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