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1 Attachment(s)
Here is a shot of Greg's car at the 2003 Nationals.
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Thanks Stephen. Obviously, he wasn't shy about driving it hard then !
It doesn't look like it had a lift-off front in that photo. Must have been a heck of an impact to destroy so much bodywork... |
Hi Craig
Greg had done a lot of work on the roll cage and I think it saved him receiving any real injury. Bits and pieces of the Cobra spread nearly 100 metres down the track. It was a very hard impact. It rained on Saturday but Sunday was ideal with some serious track times. Greg hit the wall about 1.00pm or so and the track was dry and appeared fast. My spinning was just lack of skill with the Cobra. The track was dry. The Saturday hill climb was completed in heavy rain with my wipers going, plus frantic wiping the water from my visor. Had fun though. Bernie |
G'day Craig!
Long time no hear :) Greg's off was a bigin! The impact sent fibre glass metres into the air with a corresponding big thump and crack as the car first hit the front drivers side before collecting the back rear quarter. The impact send chivers down your spine as many believed the hit was enough to cause serious injury. Amazingly Greg walked away after copping some heavy brusing down his right side. His car had a full roll cage this year (unlike last year) with a racing seat and harness. Things could have been worse but thankfully they weren't so. :) |
:LOL:
I'm going to cop some flack but I think I should stick to driving on the street its safer and less damage. :LOL: I just spent most of last night cleaning the kitty litter and mud and SH:LOL:T out of the Cobra. For a new paint car there is a lot of stone damage and I wondering if it was worth the effort. %/ Actually, I just read my insurance on the car and it surprised me. Not to mention reading the Wakefield Park fine print and the waiver. :eek: Bernie |
There's a couple more pictures of the dammage in my gallery:
Greg Hood Crash 1 Greg Hood Crash 2 The Car runs a 460 Big Block Ford and I believe a Liberty Toploader. It's been set up for drag racing and has a ladder bar rear end. I hear he was running a bit to quick at the local drag strip and they told him not to come back without a roll cage. The Body was completely demolished. I think the only panel that wasn't cracked or stuffed was the passengers door. It wasn't a lift off front either I think it's one of the new tear off fronts.%/ I was leaning on the Armco up near the start line and I felt the impact reverberate along it. It was a big hit. This is a grim reminder that these cars can turn arround and bite you very hard so be careful out there. Cheers |
I'm with you Bern.....
After spending a small fortune on these cars is it really worth it to take them on to the track? I know the thrill of circuit driving is always there, but having had experience of crashing in the UK the expense caused is simply not worth the effort. At the end of the day most cars are fibreglass and that is as good as paper mache in any crash. Take my hat off to those who do participate, but I'm one who would rather cruise it than bruise it! If you get flack then I'll support ya;) |
Craig
No secrecy over times and results, Chris is compiling them for the next mag., I'll try and get something from him Bernie my guess would be the T/A's, not a lack of skill Peter/Bernie not dishin' the flack but i reckon tracktime is a blast and a way of really getting to know your car. You've just got to set your own limits and stick to them and not let yourself get carried away. If you talk to Greg you'll find he freely admits how he stuck it in the wall, the right foot had a big part in it. |
Now, Bernie, keep our car off the track!!
Hey, whaddya mean driving our car like that?? Spinouts? Hillclimb? What is a hillclimb? If I EVER get my car back, I'm off to Texas Motor Speedway in 2 weeks!!! :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
Kristen |
I'm not gonna side with either the for or against racing sides.
I think there is merit either way but my personal preference is a bit of track time to hone ones skills. After all....these cars will bite and it's really the only way to find the limits of the car before you really need em. Hey...what kit was Greg Hoods car...any idea?. Another thing which comes to mind is that all of you have mentioned how hard he hit.....a tyre wall and the armco..two major impacts on each end of the car. Mike said he felt the impact reverberate along the armco......thats a big bang. And...the driver walked away...what does this say?? Is it something of a testament to how strong these cars are??...How many production cars would survive such impact and look as good or as bad?....I know how much the body is crumpled and I'm sure the chassis is screwed...but...the basic platform survived, as did the driver. Now...who said I wasn't a positive thinker? ;) ;) I'm goin back to my scotch.....the glass is still half full. :JEKYLHYDE |
Bernie, I can tell you from experience that a day at the race track (driving within your limits) would produce far less body damage, chips and scratches than the 20 odd thousand kilometres you drive on country SA and Vic roads each year.
If you are worried about the paint job don't do all those K's.:) You've got that other red and yellow sports car to drive haven’t you. I personal built my car to drive bloody hard and that's what I do. Wakefield is always the most fun I have in any car each year.:D I just wish I had more time to do it more often.:( |
Guys
I think there is merit in everything that has been said...%/ My thoughts are really about the way in which I have approached the weekend. I feel the TA's are really a poor choice, so next year I'm there (if I do it) with a set of new rims with race rubber. I'll keep the road rubber, as I agree with Bondurant that the TA's are a good choice for road and track with their high profile. I could also feel the limit and then they let go, so its my fault. Just as Bondurant has described in the Kit Car article some years back. I did not complete one lap (I think) without spinning or sliding into corners. Someone came up to me and said it was like a drift car through the top corners. So watch out rice boys!! Yes, I will do more track days but I can guarantee I will not be out when the dragsters take to the circuit..:eek: My other thought is to build a cheap little cobra for circuit/track fun..:confused: Cheers Bernie Peter Gazzard over behind me has four or five sets of 15" rubber with 30 - 40% left and they haven't gone off. So maybe thats the way I'll go. |
REPTYL
Yes agree with the fun on the track, but at $50 a lap at the Nationals I'd rather be out at Calder for a day on warm tyres and brakes having fun. Don't get me wrong its no ones fault it was a bad day Saturday at the Nationals. Again, the 20,000 or so that I have done around South Australia and Victoria has been over a hell of a lot of weekends. This thought says I should look for a part finished kit and build up something for the track..:confused:.... Cheers Bernie |
Kristen
Now you know I look after the Cobra..:LOL: Before it was painted I went to a B + B ball and ended up doing circle work in the paddock with utes. Took me a week to clean the grass and the dead bird out of the chassis. **) Doug my painter found another bird in behind the transmission..:eek:.. I damn near destroyed the Cobra on dirt roads and in paddocks. BUT....%/ Now its all painted and tidied up and I'm getting a bit defensive about the one or two stone chips...:CRY:..sooking.. When I left Wakefield Park Raceway, I was driving along at about 100 when there was a bang and two large lumps of dirt flew out from the rear end and high in the air. Remnants of the off track.. :LOL: Now is that the way to treat such a nice little Cobra..:confused: I've even turned around in Mt. Gambier and headed down another street to avoid roadworks. How things have changed..:LOL: Hope all is well in Texas there. Did you notice I had my TCC sticker/decal on the windscreen. Cheers Bernie |
David, Peter
Setting limits is pretty tough when you are out there and thats a bit of a worry. Exceeding your ability is another bigger worry. I have built my Cobra to drive and part of that drive time will be track time and events. But, I still worry thats its not set up with a full cage etc. And as someone said to me, .."hell I'm glad I'm taking my car home in one piece" Thats when I say and think is it worth damaging??....:CRY: Just my $.02 worth..:3DSMILE: Bernie |
Bern,
Its all down to personal preference and why you want such a car in the first place. Personally, I think without a "scaffold cage" as in Greg's and Scotty's you are risking it somewhat on a track, but as Jason says drive within your limits and all's well. Yet I would question how many DO drive within their limits. Personally there is nothing better than jumping in the car on a sunny weekend and simply enjoy the freedom of open top motoring. Oh and soaking in the admiration from most people. Drive a Ferrari or Merc and see the resentment. Drive a Cobra and watch the admiration. From young kids to grannies - all seem to love the Cobra! You can't knock it - It's good for the ego;) |
Ego - what ego..:LOL:
I've caught passengers looking at their reflection in shop windows - then again I guess I was also..:LOL: Bernie |
G'day Bernie!
All I'd say to anyone is: "It's your car - do what you want" :) At least you guys are out there having fun. Us builders can only dream and be patient! :D BTW Format for digital video: Any format is ok from mini DV tapes to DVD's as my techie (Mrs NASSTY) informs me. Still too light on video footage. If you would like to contribute that would be great or if you know of anyone with vid of the Nats please tell them about this. As the original thread was lost I would remind everyone that this is a not for profit venture. The more footage the better! Cheers :) |
My pics from this years Nats were not worth sending to you. If you are interested in last years nationals I can give you some DV.
Let me know? Brett |
G'day Brett
Last years Nat's would be great too! I'll PM my address to you Thanks! :) |
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