The Kink can be kinda tricky...I've been off there around 130...you do infact need to lift...on street tires
I hope that Tal will have a full recovery soon. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. Mark
Thats great to hear, hopefully he will make a quick recovery and be back around here ASAP! Mike, if you dont mind, keep us updated on his status...
I HATE to ask... but I know we all want to see pictures... Call me a rubber necker, but it's cool to see what our cars can take and we can survive! I do wish you well, and I'm horrified to know this happened, but you've gotta admit that it is cool to see photos!
^^^ I in no way think it's "COOL" to see pics of a car that a good freind got seriously hurt. Tal is in good shape for the kind of crash that he was in but don't kid yourself, he got hurt very badly out there. Out of respect for Tal and his family NO one took pics. It was way to scary of a situation for all of us at the event. Everyone knows are cars are very safe when it comes to wrecks. I'd be more then glad to show you pics of my car....hit a tire wall backwards around 65-70, if you like. Matt The kink fucts with my head...I only go aroud 110 or so though it. He made it though the kink it was alittle after when the backend came around on him. I have 245-40-17 Hoosier R6's on it, so st tyres were not the prob. I have'nt checked out the TrackMate info from the wreck. I'll probably go over there tonight to check it out and find out what needs replaced on my car.
How much inside curbing did he use and what suspension setup is on the car...oh and what tire pressure are you running? Matt
What happened was that the session prior I got the check ride for my tt license with mr england and he told me my line was wrong. I used to use all of the inside curbing I could find and had no problem in my car on street tires at around 110-115. I tried his line, which was a little to the left of the curbing. My problem was I turned in like I was using my old line. Traqmate said I was going ~105 when the back came around right around the track out rumble strips. I think what happened was that the new line put me out too far into the marbles and the car was suddenly going sideways on me. He has coil overs, can't remember which, and the whiteline big swaybars. His car can be tail happy but I've never had a problem catching it before. Matt what line do you run through there? If you want to know how tuff these cars are I jumped a tire wall with the rear end at ~60 mph and we drove it home. It took a little trimming and zip tying but it got us home. It goes without saying about Tal's case considering what happend, he hit a ditch at 60-70 mph then flipped end over several times with stock safety equipment and still is here and coherent to talk about it. Yes these cars are strong but all of this makes me want more safety equipment in mine. I'm glad to hear that Tal is going to be ok and heard that he wants to come back out as soon as he can, hopefully his family will let him I'm sure they had a scare.
I would try and take some camber out of the front, 3.5 is a lot, also 1.7 to 1.8 should be plenty in the back. If you are going to be at the next NASA track day Ill probally be instructing, if you want Ill ride with you and see if I can be any help dialing it in. Matt Oh you can probably bring the tire pressures down a little bit...Ill have to look at my logs.
Hey I see Tal is watching the thread...welcome back man, Glad you made it out ..ok, If there is anything I can do to help let me know. I lost your number but I think you have mine. Matt
Hi there Hi everyone, first, I want to thank everyone for the great support and warm wishes. Again, this shows what a great community this is. It was a hard week in the hospital but I am getting better every day and it seems that I will be fine after some healing of the back. I feel lucky taking into account the circumstances and the way the car flipped - it could have been much worse. I am trying not to be too hard on myself on what I could have done to prevent/minimize the damage - that won't help but I sure have some lessons learned. I was doing a very hot lap in CMP passing cars that were much faster than me in previous sessions, the car felt powerful and in control. I passed a Porsche into 10 and braked late into 11. I had no brake fade braking into turn 11 or 12 and I was coming out of 13 really fast (I heard that the GPS showed 5MPH faster that the previous laps). I was getting closer to a Cobra on the straight before 14. I then hit the brakes and... nothing. Due to the late braking I had almost no time to react. I remember thinking of trying to turn, but the cobra was there and I new I would hit it if I did. I then looked straight and aimed for the fence in front of me. As I left the track everything was covered with dust, I felt the car hitting something and going airborn. I was told I hit the ditch just before the fence and flew over it. I took the hit landing down. After a few seconds of checking if I'm ok, I remember opening the door, looking and the messed up car, feeling the pain in the back and lying down. Then the ER episode began... I guess the problem was not the braking fluid and Scott's analysis of the brake pad knock back seems to make the most sense taking into account the lateral G's coming out of the new turn 13 and my 04 bearings. A long story short - I moving around with a brace, grateful to be home with the family and keeping positive. I want to thank Mike and Matt for their help in the track - I heard the weekend was not going well for them, but I am sure I'll see them again sometime soon. The guys in NASA are also great, came to visit, sent flowers, etc. keep safe - there is nothing more important than that. And buy a good harness before you get on a track - that was my #1 mistake that really regret. Tal
wow Tal....That's quite the story! We are all just glad that you are still here to tell what happened. Get well soon, my friend, as we are all here for you to help support you. Maybe, we'll see you back out on track soon!
Wow Tal...that is crazy. Glad you are feeling better. Also, let us know if we can do anything to help.
So you landed roof-down? What type of harness do you currently have? Welcome back, glad to see you are recovering quickly and comfortably.
Wow Tal, I'm glad you are doing well considering. It really gave us a scare. He was in stock safety belts without a roll bar. This has definitely made me think about safety equipment. Tal, looking at the traqmate closer it seems fade might have been the culprit, it started to stop lost a few mph and then dropped off. Knowing what you knew I think you made quick and good decisions. I can send you the data if you want to look at it closer. Matt
I talked to a couple of instructors that were there and everyone I talked to said that you made the best of a bad situation. matt
if he was harnessed in it may have been worse since he didnt have a roll cage/bar, the stock belts dont pin you to the seat and allow you to move down and to the middle more. hope ya have a speedy and full recovery man.
Guys, no question about it - I was stupid not to put a harness! it was because of luck of time and attention and I think no one should get on a track without one. I would not have the back issue if I had a harness.
i seriously think you would have fared worse if you had a harness on and no other safety equipment. Just like you shouldn't have a roll cage without a helmet n harness, u shouldn't have a harness w/out a cage or roll bar
I hate to disagree with you old buddy But in a rollover like Tal's it was most likely his leaving the seat toward the ceiling while upside-down, and then slamming back down on the seat that hurt his back. A harness with a TIGHT lap belt would have held him "down" to the seat and dramatically reduced the "landing" (back on the wheels) impact... Even a tight CG Lock probably would have done it... Or for that matter a locked seat belt... Siegel
I'm glad to hear your feeling better bro! Hope you got some good meds and are not hurting too bad! In reguards to belts...I have a lot of faith in the stock belts and always like to lock the belt myself! Again best of luck Tal and if you need anything let us know!!!