Running out of talent...death of a Z/28 (warning explicit photo) - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

pmili75 · 10-30-2015, 12:24 PM

Death of a 2015 Z/28

Most of this is a repost from the track day insurance thread I started a few weeks ago.....talk about self fullfilling prophecy.

Original Post with (updates and new pics)

I have many track days under my belt. I have run a few time trials and have even posted fastest time of day at a couple. My point is I not a newbie. I was always worried someone would hit me or spin in front of me.

Technically I could be running in the advanced run group but never asked to move up because I have always felt the Advanced guys were a little to competitive for HPDEs.

Ok enough of my lame excuses.....

First time out with the Z/28 and btw the first time I ever bought track insurance.

I ran out of talent.

On my 2nd Lap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New track so I let a buddy who is an instructor drive the car for a few laps with me shotgun. After ~4 or 5 laps we switched and I was driving at about 60%. Just learning the line... He is pointing out a few tricky spot etc.

Maybe it was distracting....I never run with passengers... Maybe there wasn't enough heat in the tires.....Maybe I hit oil or antifreeze....

Maybe it just doesn't matter!!!!!

The car got sideways coming out of a turn and I lost her. Looked exactly like the Ken Thwait Onstar YouTube video and yes I got to talk to the Onstar operator.

Put the car into a concrete wall at a whopping 14 mph according to Onstar. Even with the brakes locked and the impact at a slow speed the car bounced of the wall spun around and smacked the rear end too.

Let's just say the initial estimate is ~ 30k and by the time it's all over I'm guessing it will be over 40k. (Update $48k needs four frame rails)

Since the salvage value of the car is probably pretty high it is possible that it could be totaled. (Update ...Highly likely totaled)

She died doing what she was built for and I learned some valuable lessons. We were both unhurt with exception of a small burn on my left wrist from the airbag chemicals.

I'll buy a cheaper track only car like I have been tell myself to buy for years.

Stay safe everyone

pmili75 · 10-30-2015, 12:26 PM

More

pmili75 · 10-30-2015, 12:28 PM

Frame rail

pmili75 · 10-30-2015, 12:29 PM

Rear

Sales @ CAI Inc · 10-30-2015, 12:41 PM

Sorry to hear this! RIP "Z"

Z/28Dan · 10-30-2015, 01:02 PM

Best eye opener ever. Glad you're OK.

pimp2303 · 10-30-2015, 01:07 PM

Glad you are ok.

90503 · 10-30-2015, 01:09 PM

Man, what a bummer....Thank goodness you did have the track insurance....

I think though, you may have your cheap track-only car sitting right in front of you. If you get payed off as a total, and keep the car, voila....get it straightened enough, pound it out here and there and keep it. It may not be the prettiest, but it might work.

I always thought that would be what I'd do if I wrecked my SS....Any way hope it all works out....and like you said, if you can't afford to basically kiss it off one way or the other, don't track it....Good luck.

SlowMoe · 10-30-2015, 01:53 PM

This make me sad, glad you're ok and sorry for your loss. (if buy chance there are some parts being parted out I would be interested in those wheels and tires at the right price)

Zslash28 · 10-30-2015, 02:28 PM

Sorry for loss. Glad your ok, that was a bummer reading what you wrote. Hopefully insurance can make you whole, and your able to get into a new Z.

Silver14 · 10-30-2015, 02:35 PM

Ouch! Great that you were able to walk away and that you had insurance.

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 10-30-2015, 03:54 PM

First glad your fine cars can be replaced we cant, like others have said buy it back and fix it, If not we understand.

OldJedi · 10-30-2015, 03:58 PM

Glad you are OK, but feel bad for your car. Did you have all the nannies turned off? If you or the insurance company is going to part out the car, let us know. We are all vultures and will pick that car apart. Sorry for your loss. Glad you had the intuition to buy track insurance.

pmili75 · 10-30-2015, 05:22 PM

still waiting for the insurance companies official ruling. If it's not totaled I will probably part it out or build the absolutely most badass pro touring Gen 1 with the parts.

Can you imagine a Gen 1 with a complete Gen 5 Z/28 driveline.

Even if it is totaled I will try to buy it or let you guys know what the insurance company wants for it. I'm confident the mechanicals are perfect and the car has 1800 miles on it.

10-30-2015, 12:24 PM	#1
pmili75 Drives: 2015 Z/28 AGM Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: CT Posts: 133	Running out of talent...death of a Z/28 (warning explicit photo) Death of a 2015 Z/28 Most of this is a repost from the track day insurance thread I started a few weeks ago.....talk about self fullfilling prophecy. Original Post with (updates and new pics) I have many track days under my belt. I have run a few time trials and have even posted fastest time of day at a couple. My point is I not a newbie. I was always worried someone would hit me or spin in front of me. Technically I could be running in the advanced run group but never asked to move up because I have always felt the Advanced guys were a little to competitive for HPDEs. Ok enough of my lame excuses..... First time out with the Z/28 and btw the first time I ever bought track insurance. I ran out of talent. On my 2nd Lap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New track so I let a buddy who is an instructor drive the car for a few laps with me shotgun. After ~4 or 5 laps we switched and I was driving at about 60%. Just learning the line... He is pointing out a few tricky spot etc. Maybe it was distracting....I never run with passengers... Maybe there wasn't enough heat in the tires.....Maybe I hit oil or antifreeze.... Maybe it just doesn't matter!!!!! The car got sideways coming out of a turn and I lost her. Looked exactly like the Ken Thwait Onstar YouTube video and yes I got to talk to the Onstar operator. Put the car into a concrete wall at a whopping 14 mph according to Onstar. Even with the brakes locked and the impact at a slow speed the car bounced of the wall spun around and smacked the rear end too. Let's just say the initial estimate is ~ 30k and by the time it's all over I'm guessing it will be over 40k. (Update $48k needs four frame rails) Since the salvage value of the car is probably pretty high it is possible that it could be totaled. (Update ...Highly likely totaled) She died doing what she was built for and I learned some valuable lessons. We were both unhurt with exception of a small burn on my left wrist from the airbag chemicals. I'll buy a cheaper track only car like I have been tell myself to buy for years. Stay safe everyone Attached Images Last edited by pmili75; 10-30-2015 at 01:35 PM.

10-30-2015, 12:26 PM	#2
pmili75 Drives: 2015 Z/28 AGM Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: CT Posts: 133	More Attached Images

10-30-2015, 12:28 PM	#3
pmili75 Drives: 2015 Z/28 AGM Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: CT Posts: 133	Frame rail Attached Images

10-30-2015, 12:29 PM	#4
pmili75 Drives: 2015 Z/28 AGM Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: CT Posts: 133	Rear Attached Images

10-30-2015, 01:02 PM	#6
Z/28Dan Drives: 2013 HWSE Indy Festial #26 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 2,670 View My Garage	Best eye opener ever. Glad you're OK. __________________ There are only so many days in your lifetime. So get out and drive your Camaro... Dan

10-30-2015, 12:41 PM	#5
Sales @ CAI Inc Drives: 2010 SS/RS Supercharged 427 Build Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 5,504	Sorry to hear this! RIP "Z"

10-30-2015, 01:07 PM	#7
pimp2303 Drives: 2014 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: DMV Posts: 52	Glad you are ok.

10-30-2015, 01:09 PM	#8
90503 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Torrance Posts: 14,420	Man, what a bummer....Thank goodness you did have the track insurance.... I think though, you may have your cheap track-only car sitting right in front of you. If you get payed off as a total, and keep the car, voila....get it straightened enough, pound it out here and there and keep it. It may not be the prettiest, but it might work. I always thought that would be what I'd do if I wrecked my SS....Any way hope it all works out....and like you said, if you can't afford to basically kiss it off one way or the other, don't track it....Good luck.

10-30-2015, 01:53 PM	#9
SlowMoe Drives: 2015 Z/28 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: So Cal Posts: 129	This make me sad, glad you're ok and sorry for your loss. (if buy chance there are some parts being parted out I would be interested in those wheels and tires at the right price)

10-30-2015, 02:28 PM	#10
Zslash28 Jumanji Drives: '14 Z/28 - AGM - No A/C Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Alaska Posts: 1,688	Sorry for loss. Glad your ok, that was a bummer reading what you wrote. Hopefully insurance can make you whole, and your able to get into a new Z.

10-30-2015, 02:35 PM	#11
Silver14 Drives: 2014 SIM 2SS Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 925	Ouch! Great that you were able to walk away and that you had insurance.

10-30-2015, 03:54 PM	#12
2SSRS@Gen5diy Drives: 2014 Z/28 #82+#192, 18ZLE 66Nova Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: By the lake in AZ Posts: 15,719 View My Garage	First glad your fine cars can be replaced we cant, like others have said buy it back and fix it, If not we understand.

10-30-2015, 03:58 PM	#13
OldJedi Use the Force Drives: 2015 Corvette Z51, 2018 Porsche GTS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Davie, Fl. Posts: 3,862	Glad you are OK, but feel bad for your car. Did you have all the nannies turned off? If you or the insurance company is going to part out the car, let us know. We are all vultures and will pick that car apart. Sorry for your loss. Glad you had the intuition to buy track insurance. __________________ Walk softly, carry a light saber and drive a ZL1!

10-30-2015, 05:22 PM	#14
pmili75 Drives: 2015 Z/28 AGM Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: CT Posts: 133	still waiting for the insurance companies official ruling. If it's not totaled I will probably part it out or build the absolutely most badass pro touring Gen 1 with the parts. Can you imagine a Gen 1 with a complete Gen 5 Z/28 driveline. Even if it is totaled I will try to buy it or let you guys know what the insurance company wants for it. I'm confident the mechanicals are perfect and the car has 1800 miles on it.