Tragic Accident

[Dumpling]

Originally Posted by Morris

I'm not surprised when I see someone has a simple accident and they get major injuries. with Fiberglass or Aluminum covering this type of chassis, you can bet on a injury if a accident happens.

That was why we completely disassembed KMP259 when I got it.... After many years Racing at high speed and seeing some bad accidents, we decided to change and build KMP259 for a Track ...but more importantly make it safe and add protection to the occupants.

Here's some of the ways that we approached re-enforcing the Chassis, we started with the door bars...and worked them into the floor of the chassis.



Now look at the floor and the re-enforcement we put into the structure under the seats.



The bottom of the doors wrap around to the suspension pick-up points ....then we ran tubing down the bottom of the doors to the main hoop under the dash.



Then we re-enforced the main hoop both on the sides as well as the Petty Bar.



Then we ran bigger tubes from the Dash hoop down to the Shock towers and accross the shock towers....in addition we added cross bars to the main chassis

And yet you will get people bemoaning all that extra weight and how it takes away from their "manhood" to consider safety.

From the obituary of a man killed in a Cobra at essentially noon, on an empty suburban street...

Joey is survived by his wife, Kriselda, daughters, Laci Lane Peacock, Alisondra Marie Peacock, Julianna Jean Peacock, Kristina Rae Peacock, sons, Joseph Peacock, Jr., Jacob Buchanan, brother, Chris Peacock, sister, Suzie McPherson, grandchild, Renner Peacock, and countless friends that he considered family.

[novasscnc]

Very sad, but the danger is what makes them fun, you have to respect them

[Selo]

Someone in this thread said there was speculation that the accident was caused by mechanical failure. Given the fact that these cars are built by individuals, rather than a fully inspected and authorized factory, how much does build quality weigh on your mind? My car should arrive tomorrow - I'd like to think I did my homework, but if I ever drive it hard or take it to the track, you can be darn sure I'll be praying my builder didn't skip any bolts or washers.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Selo

...how much does build quality weigh on your mind? My car should arrive tomorrow - I'd like to think I did my homework, but if I ever drive it hard or take it to the track, you can be darn sure I'll be praying my builder didn't skip any bolts or washers.

Quality components, and adherence to just basic good-mechanics, is pretty important. You don't have to be tracking the car, or even running her hard, to get in to a serious accident if you have a mechanical failure. Fortunately, these cars are really easy to inspect and, if you know what you're looking for, you can almost guess what you're likely to find in places you can't inspect. For example, if your fasteners on the drive shaft, half-shafts, and the like, are not proper grade, then there's a pretty good chance that when you peek inside the fork hole at your pressure plate you're probably not going to find ARP shouldered PP bolts. And if you see regular bolts there, then there's a strong chance the flywheel bolts have them too. On the other hand, if you see beautiful AN bolts, Grade 8 fasteners, castellated nuts with cotter pins, and safety wire then you can start feeling a little easier. Also, these cars rarely give out on you without telegraphing the problem before hand. Now, that signal could be a vibration, a noise, a smell, or just something that "feels" different. And, of course, the first time you get on her "really hard" you should be out in the middle of a big paved lot where there is absolutely nothing to hit, even if you tried. Don't rush things, these cars have a steep learning curve and the curve stops when you hit the tree.

[Selo]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Quality components, and adherence to just basic good-mechanics, is pretty important. You don't have to be tracking the car, or even running her hard, to get in to a serious accident if you have a mechanical failure. Fortunately, these cars are really easy to inspect and, if you know what you're looking for, you can almost guess what you're likely to find in places you can't inspect. For example, if your fasteners on the drive shaft, half-shafts, and the like, are not proper grade, then there's a pretty good chance that when you peek inside the fork hole at your pressure plate you're probably not going to find ARP shouldered PP bolts. And if you see regular bolts there, then there's a strong chance the flywheel bolts have them too. On the other hand, if you see beautiful AN bolts, Grade 8 fasteners, castellated nuts with cotter pins, and safety wire then you can start feeling a little easier. Also, these cars rarely give out on you without telegraphing the problem before hand. Now, that signal could be a vibration, a noise, a smell, or just something that "feels" different. And, of course, the first time you get on her "really hard" you should be out in the middle of a big paved lot where there is absolutely nothing to hit, even if you tried. Don't rush things, these cars have a steep learning curve and the curve stops when you hit the tree.

This is great info, it's just waaaay over my head. I've changed some wheels in my day, oil once or twice, and done a fair amount of clean-up and detailing. But that's it! I've spent my adult life working on eyeballs, and I've done some performance driving schools, but I think I m going to be better off hiring a mechanic to make sure my car is sound.

[120mm]

Originally Posted by Selo

This is great info, it's just waaaay over my head. I've changed some wheels in my day, oil once or twice, and done a fair amount of clean-up and detailing. But that's it! I've spent my adult life working on eyeballs, and I've done some performance driving schools, but I think I m going to be better off hiring a mechanic to make sure my car is sound.

You have a great attitude, though.

Your humility will get you a long way, imo.

Having said that, you've obviously worked in a detail oriented profession, so I bet you catch on quickly. Just take the principles you've learned in your professional life and apply them to this.

[Selo]

Originally Posted by 120mm

You have a great attitude, though.

Your humility will get you a long way, imo.

Having said that, you've obviously worked in a detail oriented profession, so I bet you catch on quickly. Just take the principles you've learned in your professional life and apply them to this.

Thanks, I always wanted to learn to work on cars, thinking this is the start.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Selo

This is great info, it's just waaaay over my head. I've changed some wheels in my day, oil once or twice, and done a fair amount of clean-up and detailing. But that's it! I've spent my adult life working on eyeballs, and I've done some performance driving schools, but I think I m going to be better off hiring a mechanic to make sure my car is sound.

Alright, well, if you can laser back a detached retina then you can eventually learn every thing there is to learn about these cars. I would start by checking the forums for a local race shop that has decent reviews and then call them up and tell them you've bought a used race car and you'd like them to just put it up on a lift and give it the once over. They will be delighted to and will likely offer to have you stand there while they do it. That's the first step in learning what the parts are.

[Selo]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Alright, well, if you can laser back a detached retina then you can eventually learn every thing there is to learn about these cars. I would start by checking the forums for a local race shop that has decent reviews and then call them up and tell them you've bought a used race car and you'd like them to just put it up on a lift and give it the once over. They will be delighted to and will likely offer to have you stand there while they do it. That's the first step in learning what the parts are.

You could train a chimp to fix a retina. Now working on a motor, that takes mad skill!

[120mm]

Originally Posted by Selo

Someone in this thread said there was speculation that the accident was caused by mechanical failure. Given the fact that these cars are built by individuals, rather than a fully inspected and authorized factory, how much does build quality weigh on your mind? My car should arrive tomorrow - I'd like to think I did my homework, but if I ever drive it hard or take it to the track, you can be darn sure I'll be praying my builder didn't skip any bolts or washers.

Yeah, I am not big on trusting another mechanic's work, sight unseen. But I'm a aircraft mechanic and was brought up in the tradition of cross-check.

IMO, you need to select a good mechanic now, and arrange an initial condition inspection and a continuing maintenance plan, with a written out checklist.

[Selo]

Originally Posted by 120mm

Yeah, I am not big on trusting another mechanic's work, sight unseen. But I'm a aircraft mechanic and was brought up in the tradition of cross-check.

IMO, you need to select a good mechanic now, and arrange an initial condition inspection and a continuing maintenance plan, with a written out checklist.

Good plan.......in addition to head restraints.
lots of little, misc questions with new car: it needs better headlights. What are the options for headlight replacement? Are shift knobs interchangeable?
With no power steering is it normal for it to tramline a fair bit? Normal for a bit of chatter in the steering wheel when I go over a rough patch? Normal for a fair amount of gas smell in garage with 302/EZ Fast1 set-up? (Seems to be running well.)

[120mm]

Originally Posted by Selo

Good plan.......in addition to head restraints.
lots of little, misc questions with new car: it needs better headlights. What are the options for headlight replacement? Are shift knobs interchangeable?
With no power steering is it normal for it to tramline a fair bit? Normal for a bit of chatter in the steering wheel when I go over a rough patch? Normal for a fair amount of gas smell in garage with 302/EZ Fast1 set-up? (Seems to be running well.)

Better headlights should be easy; Halogen projectors, LEDs and HIDs are common.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wvpBZCot0s

Tramlining: Are you running bias ply tires? If so, yes. If not, have the alignment checked by a professional. Actually, have the alignment checked anyway. It's cheap insurance.

I don't think chatter in steering is normal. Again, professional.

On the subject of having a mechanic checking out your car, it needs to be the right guy, with experience working with modified/race cars, imo. Your local SCCA, Vintage Racing Association or whomever races cars in your area will know who to go to and who to avoid.

BTW, it is normal for a new anything to need a mechanic to check it out on acceptance and correct minor deficiencies.

[Selo]

Originally Posted by 120mm

Better headlights should be easy; Halogen projectors, LEDs and HIDs are common.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wvpBZCot0s

Tramlining: Are you running bias ply tires? If so, yes. If not, have the alignment checked by a professional. Actually, have the alignment checked anyway. It's cheap insurance.

I don't think chatter in steering is normal. Again, professional.

On the subject of having a mechanic checking out your car, it needs to be the right guy, with experience working with modified/race cars, imo. Your local SCCA, Vintage Racing Association or whomever races cars in your area will know who to go to and who to avoid.

BTW, it is normal for a new anything to need a mechanic to check it out on acceptance and correct minor deficiencies.

Once again, great info, thanks.

[hauss]

Yep it is true the pussification of man.That is why I purchased my cobra because it is a real man's car.I have been reading a lot about cobras here and all I have to say is the cars are like guns.Not dangerous just the people are.

[xlr8tr]

LOL- i'd like to, just to fit easier in cars! I do get some interesting looks to the effect of "there's no f'ing way he's fitting in that tiny car..."

[120mm]

Petrolicious just sent me this gem:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=IZw7ZnxWKjs

What a cool hour long primer by the Flying Scotsman.

It's relevant to the original topic of tragic accidents, with basic info on how to control vehicle, especially high powered vehicles.

[patrickt]

What's also relevant is that at 22:57 he says "I made a mistake." You never hear that around here. Of course, we're all much better performance drivers than he.

[133bus]

First of all my heart felt condolences go out to the family and friends

Post-mortem reports for Cobra!!??? May be a good thing?....BUT.....be prepared to have a Government official come to your place with a tow truck and take your car to a "CRUSHER". ..Steve