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

[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!!!