Tuff Test-&-Tune

[escortracer]

I want to thank all that were involved in running the show you all do great work. It was my first tune day so I can't compare this to anything else. I thought it moved very fast in between sessions and there really wasn't much time on track to feel if the adjustments I made were worth it. Unfortunately, I feel the quality of the day was not up to par, and a lot of things happened during the day that don't normally happen. I mean no disrespect to the Club or the people who run it, I just wish it had been a better day for me, hopefully it was for others.

On another note, does anyone know how Jeff Baker is? I left shortly after he had wrecked, does anyone have word on how he is doing?
Jeff, hopefully you weren't as damaged as your car was. Hope to see you back on the track.

[nateh]

Jeff seemed fine, although a little shaken I'm sure. He and Liz seem quite positive about getting the car going again. But I'm sure some recovery is in order first - this has been a tough year for their little puppy!

[breakaway500]

I thought the format was well done with plenty of time in between to fix or adjust things. I had two weak coolant system issues that I was able to repair and still get 2+ hrs of seat time.The 30 minute sessions after lunch were very refreshing! I even had time to fix my tow truck! I didn't really care for all the cones at the apex of 2b (I even managed to take a few for a ride.. ) but it was what it was.Hats off to the COM staff for putting on this event,and hope to see similar ones in the future.

Glad Jeff is OK....we had a front row seat to the accident..it put a new meaning into Flyin-Miata..

[6PAK72]

I am certainly feeling some bumps and bruises. The HANS made all the difference.
I have 2 bruises where the hans pushed my chest, and it definitely took the load
of the helmet impacts off my neck. Who knows, but I believe my neck could have been badly hurt considering the rotational load and the upside down impact.

All the safety gear did what it is designed to do.

Glad u got some tuning done. 1 change at a time, right?

[cuda6666]

Glad you're OK. What happened?

[Dtangard]

I am certainly feeling some bumps and bruises. The HANS made all the difference.
I have 2 bruises where the hans pushed my chest, and it definitely took the load
of the helmet impacts off my neck. Who knows, but I believe my neck could have been badly hurt considering the rotational load and the upside down impact.

All the safety gear did what it is designed to do.

Glad u got some tuning done. 1 change at a time, right?

I'm glad to hear your ok Jeff and I hope to see you out on the track again soon.

[betelgeuse]

Glad you're OK. What happened?

A wheel broke at speed is what I heard.

Glad to see you're ok Jeff.

Greg

[CP]

I thought the format was perfect for a "test and tune" day. It followed the typical format of an SCCA practice day and served its purpose well...to work out any bugs before the season begins. It's ok to skip a session if you're not ready to go out or still have issues with the car to address. Timed laps don't count on a practice day.

Jeff - being the first car behind you and watching your entire incident unfold 10 feet in front of me, I can say that I'm VERY glad that you're mostly none the worse for wear. The car can be fixed. Call the guy that JeffW told you about to discuss possibly fixing the car. I don't think it's as bad as it looks. He cut the windshield frame off of my car to drop the cage into it and then welded it back on.

After the wheel failed, the remaining wheel center/hub dug into the track and sent the car up into the air, barrel rolling about 5 feet up. I distinctly remember looking UP at the bottom of your car and thinking "uh oh, this is gonna hurt." It came down hard on the roof and the last thing I saw before passing the incident was the rear window blowing out into 1000 pieces as the hardtop was crushed.

This goes to show that an equipment failure mid-corner can have disastrous results. (Everyone) Check your wheels for stress fractures after every event. "Nut and bolt" check the suspension every few events. Take your time to tighten your lugs and all your safety gear before heading out to grid. Rushing to get on track can result in forgetting to address important safety concerns.

While the outcome was mostly positive as far as injuries, I think it's a call for some serious consideration to requiring full roll cages in all convertibles. While some may be against this because it'll mean street-driven Miatas may go away, it's the safe thing to do. The windshield frame readily crushed almost flat and had it not been for the rear roll hoops (and HANS), the outcome would have been different for sure. Fortunately it happened in a slow(ish) corner and the car scrubbed alot of speed when it got out of shape before the wheel broke.

I CAN say that you were (literally) driving the wheels off of the car for the half a lap that I was following you and we're all glad that you slept in your own bed last night Jeff

[breakaway500]

From where we were sitting..Jeffs Miata dropped from an altitude of 10-12 feet to the ground..after a graceful pirouette. I don't think many cars,including sedans and coupes would hold up much better in such a drop on the roof structure. Having a full cage requirement for all convertibles/panel top cars would exclude a lot of cars from the track.Yes,it would be the wise decision from a safety point..but will surely deter many from going to the track..and would not eliminate the potential of injury from a hard flip onto the roof. The required roll bar did it's job in this rare incident.

[cuda6666]

Was this at turn 3?

[nateh]

Turn 10.

[cuda6666]

Makes sense. I broke a left rear wheel on the Cuda there once, and got turned into the tire pile at the apex. I also broke a left rear going over the hill at turn 1 at MT. Wheels are good things to check

[WillM]

I was very relieved to see Jeff doing so well after the incident. I'm sure I speak for everyone that was in the paddock. The first responders and medical crew at NHMS did an excellent job, from what I could tell. Kudos to Jeff for going that extra step with safety equipment.

Robert - What happened or what were the issues at this event? All of the remarks I received have been very positive to this point, which makes your comments even that more important. If we never hear about problems or things that people do not like, we can't fix 'em!

Thanks,

Will

[Barry]

I thought the test and tune went very well, I made changes and ran all I wanted too. I hope you do the same thing next year. I am glad to hear you wern't hurt serious. Jeff hope your at the track
soon. Barry and Darlene Gammon

[Mario Fallas]

without reservation COMSCC is TWO cuts above the rest , speaking for myself, it was exactly what it was supposed to be, a test & tune day , and not surprisingly flawless (except for Jeff)
thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mario Fallas