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  • dean1484

    Nov. 17, 2009 11:27 a.m. dean1484 Dork

    In this crash it look like it took big hits in the left front and right rear. The cadge did not seem to take much impact at all. Heck the doors and roof look relatively untouched

    I agree there is no substitute for a good cadge, belts and helmet and all the other safety gear (hanz comes to mind) but in this case the car looks to have been the hero. The cadge (and the driver) were just along for the ride. I don't see any indications of big impact on the cadge.

    From my experience the most deadly impact are at about a 30 deg angle to the left front. This car looks to have had just that impact.

    Note how much came off the car or was displaced. The motor is a big one but look closer at the suspension and other parts. All absorbed / dissipating energy (keeping it from being transmitted to the driver).

    Was the cadge a factor in this not being a fatal? Yes. But I submit to you that after all the safety gear (belts, hans helmet etc) in this accident the car was the primary factor why things were not a whole lot worse.

    I stand by my original assessment that this is a testament to BMW's engineers and that the cadge was not as significant factor as some may think.

    Isn't second guessing fun!!!!

  • docwyte

    Nov. 17, 2009 12:04 p.m. docwyte Reader

    Open track days are dangerous due to the disparate levels of drivers, cars, lack of corner workers, etc, etc.

    When you run a DE or track event with an organization (be it SCCA, NASA, BMWCCA, etc) they tend to group like levels together so you don't have tremendous differentials in closing speeds, skill levels, etc. They also have corner workers, etc.

    Obviously the Ring is a very different animal since it's a "toll road" and anyone and their brother can drive on it. At that point the safety is really on the driver and you have to be vigilant about traffic all around you.

  • slefain

    Nov. 17, 2009 12:08 p.m. slefain Dork

    Did they ever find the driver's seat cushion?

  • Buckhead

    Nov. 17, 2009 4:47 p.m. Buckhead Reader

    alex wrote:

    DukeOfUndersteer wrote:


    World's fastest Z3 conversion?

    I was going to post that this morning... i thought for sure it was a z3.... wow

  • loudes13

    Nov. 17, 2009 5:27 p.m. loudes13 New Reader

    I know it's the Ring, but it could happen at Road America. That guard rail looks alot like the run between the kink and 12.

  • Ian F

    Nov. 18, 2009 8:16 a.m. Ian F HalfDork

    Keith wrote: The BMW driver should have been able to see the MINI several times. Even with a 40 mph closing speed, you still don't have a car suddenly pop into view. I suspect the MINI did something unpredictable - saw the BMW come up behind and went off-line to let it past, right into the path of the faster car. Or the MINI was just a tourist, as the 'Ring is a public road and anyone can drive on it. Inexperienced and slow drivers are one of the risks there, one you don't find on a normal track event.

    I don't necessarily disagree, but at the same time I'm not so sure... given the level of prep the M3 had, I wouldn't be surprised if it had a video set-up... with any luck, it survived the crash and the footage will get posted after the dust settles.

  • mel_horn

    Nov. 19, 2009 11:29 a.m. mel_horn Dork

    And for those of you wondered what a front crank sensor looks like...

  • HappyAndy

    Nov. 19, 2009 11:36 p.m. HappyAndy Reader

    The 'ring is an odd place for shure; you could be in a 911 and see this closing fast in your rear view mirrorsgood to hear the driver was OK

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