The "in car video" from a "what the heck" moment at Willow Springs this year

[Xavier]

I have to tell you from a non-racers point of view who actually reads, watches and listens to a ton of it (NASCAR, F1, Top-fuel, you guys, etc.) that I am really shocked you can go to Willow Springs with no arm restraints, things just flying from your car and a harness that nearly every manufacturer is going to say is mounted incorrectly (not mounted below your shoulders "X" inches). Roll bar too? What is the requirement of the height? And then the guy coming along and just tearing off his helmet, I guess its a good thing he had not spinal or neck injuires.

Eventually I will make the investment in time, money and plenty of schooling to race a car (Cobra or not), but I lost a lot of respect for the "rigorous tech inspection". Hell, looks like the only one is going to do it is me. I always thought Willow Springs to be some premier racing facility, what the hell was I thinking...

Also, to the racer guys; I have read on more then one post that a Cobra, with the aerodynamic profile of wood block and the open mouth of a gaping bass, will want to lift in the front-end of even a big block iron FE after 130mph with an "average" suspension stance with little to no down-force. Could this be the case here? With no down force, coming up a hill, losing grip, driving past the car/drivers limits - could this be the case? I know anything can happen, no one really knows, but is this a possibility?

[Slither]

Originally Posted by Xavier

I have to tell you from a non-racers point of view who actually reads, watches and listens to a ton of it (NASCAR, F1, Top-fuel, you guys, etc.) that I am really shocked you can go to Willow Springs with no arm restraints, things just flying from your car and a harness that nearly every manufacturer is going to say is mounted incorrectly (not mounted below your shoulders "X" inches). Roll bar too? What is the requirement of the height? And then the guy coming along and just tearing off his helmet, I guess its a good thing he had not spinal or neck injuires.

Eventually I will make the investment in time, money and plenty of schooling to race a car (Cobra or not), but I lost a lot of respect for the "rigorous tech inspection". Hell, looks like the only one is going to do it is me. I always thought Willow Springs to be some premier racing facility, what the hell was I thinking...

Also, to the racer guys; I have read on more then one post that a Cobra, with the aerodynamic profile of wood block and the open mouth of a gaping bass, will want to lift in the front-end of even a big block iron FE after 130mph with an "average" suspension stance with little to no down-force. Could this be the case here? With no down force, coming up a hill, losing grip, driving past the car/drivers limits - could this be the case? I know anything can happen, no one really knows, but is this a possibility?

You have a very valid point. Was the car indeed faster than the suspension components could handle at that point? Perhaps so because it was obvious there was a right front failure of some type. I would be curious as to what EXACTLY failed. Just because you strap on a helmet doesn't make it a race car! Glad the driver was OK!!!

[bobcowan]

Originally Posted by Xavier

I have to tell you from a non-racers point of view who actually reads, watches and listens to a ton of it (NASCAR, F1, Top-fuel, you guys, etc.)

Watching it on TV isn't the same as doing it.

Eventually I will make the investment in time, money and plenty of schooling to race a car (Cobra or not), but I lost a lot of respect for the "rigorous tech inspection".

Be sure and get back to us when you do.

Hell, looks like the only one is going to do it is me.

And who did you think was going to do it?

I always thought Willow Springs to be some premier racing facility, what the hell was I thinking...

Willow Springs is a track; a chunk of pavement. It's quality is only as good as the users make it.

Also, to the racer guys; I have read on more then one post that a Cobra, with the aerodynamic profile of wood block and the open mouth of a gaping bass, will want to lift in the front-end of even a big block iron FE after 130mph with an "average" suspension stance with little to no down-force?

Remember that you're talking about the only American car to ever win the FIA world championship. The car that has been on race tracks around the world for 50 years. The most copied body style ever made.

Again, when you actually get out there and do it, then you can speak with authority. Until then, pull the lever on your barcolounger and crack open another beer.

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by Xavier

I have to tell you from a non-racers point of view who actually reads, watches and listens to a ton of it (NASCAR, F1, Top-fuel, you guys, etc.) that I am really shocked you can go to Willow Springs with no arm restraints, things just flying from your car and a harness that nearly every manufacturer is going to say is mounted incorrectly (not mounted below your shoulders "X" inches). Roll bar too? What is the requirement of the height? And then the guy coming along and just tearing off his helmet, I guess its a good thing he had not spinal or neck injuires.

Eventually I will make the investment in time, money and plenty of schooling to race a car (Cobra or not), but I lost a lot of respect for the "rigorous tech inspection". Hell, looks like the only one is going to do it is me. I always thought Willow Springs to be some premier racing facility, what the hell was I thinking...

Also, to the racer guys; I have read on more then one post that a Cobra, with the aerodynamic profile of wood block and the open mouth of a gaping bass, will want to lift in the front-end of even a big block iron FE after 130mph with an "average" suspension stance with little to no down-force. Could this be the case here? With no down force, coming up a hill, losing grip, driving past the car/drivers limits - could this be the case? I know anything can happen, no one really knows, but is this a possibility?

The sanctioning body for the particular group running Willow is responsible for tech inspection, not the track. The person driving the car should be the most concerned about his or her safety and should be aware of all the requirements of NASA or SCCA if they are interested in their own safety.
Those rules and specifications are readily available and should be followed if you are serious about track driving. Most people value their own life quite highly and should act accordingly not hope a volunteer tech guy will find something they missed.

I have no personal knowledge of this accident but it sure looks like a suspension failure on the video, I was told by someone else that he dropped a wheel where the track narrows in the outside lane which might have caused the problem. Another possibility is that the donor parts were defective if taken from a wrecked car, all pure speculation though.

Cobras have to be going a lot faster than 135 to "lift off" especially if you have a slight "rake" angle. The poor aerodynamics have a greater effect on top speed than lift, although lift is produced too.