One of our own, serious crash at the strip... Walks away.

[SSE 4 2SS]

Originally Posted by Sir Nuke

Chris....with a little time.....all that will be left are the memories, the good and the bad....and you can bet your last nickel.....we will always be around you to support you, give a helping if you ever need or want one. Buddy....we are all so thankful for the way things came out. See ya Saturday.....I think the Margarita's will be on us. :{D

Any or all of you have any desire to hook up with us Sunday for Camaros and BBQ...

Chris, I second the offer of anything I can do to help... My stomach flopped when I heard and then couldn't find out how you were for many hours... I'm glad you're ok, and I look forward to seeing RJT II...

[lewylew]

Originally Posted by Supercharged SS

I thought this was about me for a second. Look how well the cockpit held together. Wtf happened?

Thought the same thing when I read title.

[mikepage0007]

rj, glad your ok, sorry for your loss..any idea of what exactly happened...anything that might help us novice track guys, prevent what happened to you..or nothing really could of prevented or stopped what happened that put you out of control..thanks.sorry again, it was a nice build. prob better the 2nd time around

[J-Rod6410]

The problem with this track is that it used to be a 1/8 mile track. When Hennessey Performance took it over they converted it to a full 1/4 mile. There is a concrete barrier wall the first half of the track, the second half is a guardrail supported by wooden posts Now its not the track's fault that the car had a mechanical failure but a concrete wall would have more than likely kept the car on the track with minimal damage or only damaged the left side. But when the camaro hit the metal guardrail it flattened it like a pancake and this is when the car started flipping and caused most of the damage. The car also hit a small tree that is about 15 ft off the side of the track. After the wreck, a tractor picked the railing back up and they stuck sandbags behind the rail as support and kept racing

Fortunately there were no more incidents after this. I hope one day the track owners will install concrete barriers the whole length of the track

[bossbunny]

Originally Posted by jrrod6410

The problem with this track is that it used to be a 1/8 mile track. When Hennessey Performance took it over they converted it to a full 1/4 mile. There is a concrete barrier wall the first half of the track, the second half is a guardrail supported by wooden posts Now its not the track's fault that the car had a mechanical failure but a concrete wall would have more than likely kept the car on the track with minimal damage or only damaged the left side. But when the camaro hit the metal guardrail it flattened it like a pancake and this is when the car started flipping and caused most of the damage. The car also hit a small tree that is about 15 ft off the side of the track. After the wreck, a tractor picked the railing back up and they stuck sandbags behind the rail as support and kept racing

Fortunately there were no more incidents after this. I hope one day the track owners will install concrete barriers the whole length of the track

Yeah that guardrail has me very uneasy now. Maybe we should all call over there as individuals and request they do something about the track. Just a thought. Is the fact that it was an 1/8 track the reason there is a bump half way down?

[J-Rod6410]

Originally Posted by badgebunny

Yeah that guardrail has me very uneasy now. Maybe we should all call over there as individuals and request they do something about the track. Just a thought. Is the fact that it was an 1/8 track the reason there is a bump half way down?

Yes, thats the reason. The transition from the end of the 1/8 mile to the rest of the track isnt as smooth as it should be. I've even felt my car get sloppy at this point and i'm not going as fast as some of the other cars that run there.

So yeah, a smoother transition would be awesome and concrete wall all the way down would make things alot safer. I even had a guy there at the track who works for DOT say that Houston has a ton of concrete barriers stored and unused from the Texaco Grand Prix that happened in downtown and that they want to get rid of them. Just wish I would have asked him more info but my concern at the time was about Chris.

Hopefully they'll get something done before the Camaro Nationals in October or maybe we can move it to Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown..............That would be sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet to have on a NHRA track

[Pro Stock John]

Looks like the Camaro blew the motor on the big end, coolant probably got under the tires, and he crashed. Can't really blame the track on this stuff. Glad that owner is safe and staying in the game.

[HIOFECR]

Wonder how you explain that one to OnStar ? Glad the guy is ok

[J-Rod6410]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

Looks like the Camaro blew the motor on the big end, coolant probably got under the tires, and he crashed. Can't really blame the track on this stuff. Glad that owner is safe and staying in the game.

My point was that a concrete barrier would have kept his car on the track instead of plowing through the barrier and flipping multiple times. But you're right, the camaro blew the engine, coolant and/or oil got on the tires and he lost control.

[bossbunny]

Originally Posted by jrrod6410

My point was that a concrete barrier would have kept his car on the track instead of plowing through the barrier and flipping multiple times. But you're right, the camaro blew the engine, coolant and/or oil got on the tires and he lost control.

[HtownSS]

Originally Posted by jrrod6410

My point was that a concrete barrier would have kept his car on the track instead of plowing through the barrier and flipping multiple times. But you're right, the camaro blew the engine, coolant and/or oil got on the tires and he lost control.

Complety agree with Jrod, I have a friend who runs the NHRA circuit and the big boys stay off that track. Iv seen many many years of drag racing all over the US, "with accidents involved" and a properly designed track would of keep the car within the track minimizing damage to the car and driver. Trees and telepone poles lining the track for lighting, "is a little worrisome to me"! maybe Im getting old and over cautious. I dont like to play where there is danger compounding the risk thats already exist.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by HIOFECR

Wonder how you explain that one to OnStar ? Glad the guy is ok

On-Star was actually first on the scente and did ask him if he was OK

That guardrail has definitely got to go...

[GTAHVIT]

Damn man! Mike thanks for the link

Chris Man, I'm glad you are good. I've seen helo crashes that were less violent...

So very glad you are relatively unscathed.

[PQ]

On-Star is well aware of cars on the track.

Chris, glad you are ok. Good luck with the clean-up.