An Important Message to All Cobra Owners

[deadbeatle]

This past Friday night I was in a accident with my Cobra. The car hit a tree on the passenger side. My passenger, Lisa M. a friend for many years and a co-worker was injured in her leg as the impact was by the foot box of the car. This ride started out just like all others, someone that wanted the thrill of riding in a classic and myself an owner and enthusiast willing to share the experience. We never plan on accidents, but this is a reminder to all that these cars are powerful and need to be driven with extra care.

I want to encourage everyone to support the many organizations and events that provide an arena for us to enjoy these classic cars. Events such as the upcoming Run N Gun, and the many club events held each year always emphasize safety first. I encourage all to participate in the organizations such as NASA, Chin and others around the country.

For me, I will not be participating in the Run N Gun this year and, pehaps for a long time. My car is a total loss, but much more importantly, I will putting my efforts toward the healing of my dear friend.

For all those that are heading to Run N Gun, I will miss you. Drive safe, please.

Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated on behalf of Lisa. Thank you.

John L.

[Hal Copple]

I am sorry for your accident, and for your friend's injury. I hope she heals quickly and completely.

I have no knowledge of the nature of your accident. But in the 9 years I have owned my own replica, and been on this and other enthusiast forums, i am aware of five fatal accidents in Cobra replicas. In every case, there were two people in the car.

I give rides too, and sometimes show them the car's potential. But always, in the back of my mind, is what i have writtten above. So i hold back from what i might do if only I am in the car. A passenger can't tell the difference between 7/10ths and 10/10's performance anway.

I track a lot, and am running Kershaw (aka Carolinas Motorsports park) with the Porsche club next weekend. I well know how unexpected spins can occur. But on a track like Kershaw, they are generally safe.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for both of you. I am sure it is hard to post your thread, but i give credit for your your humility.

hal copple
Upstate SC

[Ron61]

John,

I wish you and your friend a quick recovery and I can't put it as elegantly as Hal, but everything he said. We had two people around here badly injured in the past 3 years, but the owners had just gotten the Cobras and weren't at all familiar with them. One had came and talked to me about how they handle and I had suggested he go to the road track at Thunder Hill and take the High Performance Driving school. They have them a few times each year and you always learn something no matter how many you attend.

Ron

[Jamo]

deadbeatle...that's sad. Hope your friend recovers quickly.

With all due respect, however, the title of your thread intrigues me. Every so often, someone goes out and crashes their car (usually taking a friend a relativefor a ride), and feels it necessary to tell everyone how dangerous these cars are and implores everyone to take driving school. A good and proper advisory, no doubt, and one which many here have implored folks to do.

But it also has to do with the driver's judgment as much as any skill. I think Hal was rather subtle in making that point. I'm a bit more direct.

Don't be a dumbass in your Cobra.

[patrickt]

This is why I harp on this forum about everyone needing an umbrella policy on top of their liability policy for their Cobra. Your next treat could be a "day in the life film of Lisa M." If we wind up in court, either at the defendant's table or for a simple traffic ticket, the fact that we were driving a Cobra is one and half strikes against us from the get-go. In my neck of the woods, anything under a couple million is prima facie underinsured.

[sawadeedude]

I'm 61 years old, but still remember something I was taught in a high school driving class, that most accidents are preventable! We all know that you can be involved in an accident weather you're driving a Bentley, a Ford, a Chevy, or a Cobra. However, more times then not, that accident would not have occured if someone had been more prudent, had defensive driving at the forefront of there cognition, and had just been more heads-up! It took most of us a long time, and a lot of "doing" to get these cars, and for the most part, we'll be just fine if we remember our ABC's ["always be cool"]! No one wants to be injured, have their friend or loved one injured, hurt someone else in another car, or damage their beautiful Cobra! A little common sense and maturity go a real long way while hitting the streets in our high performance cars!
Sawadeedude

[Rick Weber]

Hey Sawadee-Dude,

Isn't that Thai for hello or goodbye?

Amen to all of the postings above! Hope Lisa will have a 100% recovery.

Rick

[Bill Bess]

I hope your friend Lisa recovers ASAP, and will be in good health soon.
I have no knowledge of how your accident occurred, but it's true "all accidents are preventable", and good judgement is the key to success in all things we do.

I worked for many years as safety expert for a large company and investigated numerous accidents. Although some accidents appear to be..just that an accident, most if not all, are preventable if caution and good judgement are exercised.
I know when I drive my Cobra I think about the worst case scenario occurring and attempt to take the "chicken way out" and try to be safe. Sometimes when I'm showing off a bit I forget the training and driving skills I was taught over the years, low and behold , I break or hit something.

Anyway enough preaching from me, Just thank God that nobody was killed and that Lisa will get better and then hope your next Cobra will be even better than the last one.

Best wishes and good luck, Bill

[sawadeedude]

Yes Rick! You are correct that sawadee means hello & goodbye in Thailand! I've had the good fortune to have been able to spend three winters in Thailand and have enjoyed every minute of it! It's considerably less expensive to be there then in Chicago over the winter and the Thai people are friendly, warm, and kind, not to mention the beauty of the country, culture, and surronding areas!
Sawadeedude, AKA Cobradude

[Rick Weber]

Hey Sawadee/cobra dude,

Thought it was spelled "sawadi"...lol. It is a beautiful place and you are right about the people...especially the ladies!!!

One of the few places where the dollar still lasts for more than a second.

Have fun if you return this winter.

Rick

[Silverback51]

For the most part, I do not give rides. If I'm going somewhere for a purpose and they are going the same place, then if my wife doesn't mind riding with someone else, then I will take another person.

If they want to see how fast it is, I tell them to buy their own and then they can drive it like they want. At most I may go half throttle in second to give them a quick burst of acceleration, but I'm not going to break the tires loose, or go past 5/10th's in a corner. I do not want to be responsible for another persons death or injury.

Hope Lisa makes a speedy and full recovery.

[1985 CCX]

Thoughts are with you both. GWS

[Great Asp]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Don't be a dumbass in your Cobra.

Words to "live" by.

E

[Cashburn]

John, sorry to hear of the injury to your friend and the loss of your Cobra. Hope you both can recover from this. Will miss you at RnG.

We can never have too many reminders of the dangers behind the wheel... we can only have too many accidents.

[john chesnut]

John, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend. You will be missed at Run n Gun. John