Sand trap... and we're not talking golf!

[drudis]

Homepage: www.dariusrudis.com

Check out the series of photos I took when I went a wee bit wide
on turn #11 at GingerMan. [OK, so I went straight off, at the end of the back straight]

Here is a play by play account:
I was doing about 110mph, down the straight.
(this photo is looking bakwards, where I was comming _from_)
http://www.dariusrudis.com/fme/scmc/...ngerman_00.jpg

Entering the 90-degree turn at turn#11.
http://www.dariusrudis.com/fme/scmc/...ngerman_01.jpg


Hit the brakes, and BRAKE FADE! (brakes too hot and no stop).
Lifted off the brakes to straighten out the car, not to go off diagonally,
but to go off head-first. (kinda like switching lanes from the left-lane,
to the center-lane, sort'a).
http://www.dariusrudis.com/fme/scmc/...ngerman_04.jpg


Re-hit the brakes HARD, and locked up the right front, just before
going off at the better part of nearly 100mph.
http://www.dariusrudis.com/fme/scmc/...ngerman_03.jpg


Over the grass, like I was on snow. Heading for the sand (good, something
to slow me down)
http://www.dariusrudis.com/fme/scmc/...ngerman_05.jpg


The grass has a small rise to it (notice how you cannot really see
the sand)
http://www.dariusrudis.com/fme/scmc/...ngerman_03.jpg


So when I finally got to the sand, it wasnt slowing down. THIS was the
point where I beginning to panic. Up till now I was off-course, but under control.
http://www.dariusrudis.com/fme/scmc/...ngerman_06.jpg


Seeing that swamp and guardrail comming at me, got me really
nervous. THen, the car settled down (like after crossing a railroad track),
and went POOOOOOOFFFF! Like running into a huge water
puddle, and I can say that the harnesses worked. Felt like
someone sat on my chest. (notice where you can see the tires get
deep into the sand)
http://www.dariusrudis.com/fme/scmc/...ngerman_07.jpg


The tow truck arrived, and (since noone goes THAT far off) didnt have enough cable to reach me! He had to back into the sand a bit himself. Several guys to push, and me in reverse, finally got towed out. Notice how far back the corner was from where I stopped.
http://www.dariusrudis.com/fme/scmc/...ngerman_08.jpg


No damage to the car, just sand _everywhere_ (someone wrote "wash
me" on the intake). And I re-cracked the spoilder, but that needed
repair and paint anyways. So all the sand stuffed in there was ok.
http://www.dariusrudis.com/fme/scmc/...ngerman_11.jpg

p.s. Underwear check came out negative (but it was close!)

[Dean95CobraR]

Hi Darius!

Sounds like quite the adventure. Sure wish I would have been in the tower to see that one!

Glad your car came out in pretty good shape. It didn't look so innocent with the front spoiler caked with dirt.

Thanks for all your hard work on Saturday and I'll see you soon at some track event this summer.

[NJ2000R]

Thats my instructor???

Thanks for breaking me in

I'm just glad that didnt happen when I was in the car with you