Hey Gang, I just wanted to let everyone know that we did manage to get the new car out last night. We made 3 passes. The first was an easy 60 ft pass that was a 1.40 and then we shut it down. The second pass was a 330 ft pass that netted a 1.29 60 ft time. The car felt good according to dad so we were now going to take the car out to the 990 ft mark to see what would happen. The car left the line perfect.... front wheels up about 6 inches and carried them out and set them do to a 1.146 60 ft time. The car was very straight and passed the 1/8 mile at 5.174 @ 134.14. As dad continued down the track the car stayed right in the center of the track. As it passed through the finishline the ET pops up on the ET Board. 8.106 at 167.01 MPH. My first thought was "Is that correct... dad was supposed to get out of the throttle." Well this is when it gets UGLY. All of a sudden the smoke and crap flying everywhere. Dad had wrecked the car. We ran down to the end of the track to find the front of the the car scattered everywhere. When I got to the car my dad was already out of the car saying that he is fine. THANK GOD. So.... what happened. Evidently the throttle stuck and he could not pull it back up with his foot. So he reached up and shut the car off and deployed the parachute then he got on the brakes. Somehow the car went left and into the wall. Taking out the front end of the car. Which then spun him around and he settled in his lane. He actually never left his lane. The only cause we can come up with is while traveling at 150 + mph the wind pushed the hood down onto the throttle and not allowing it to release. It was very scary indeed and I can say quite a learning experience. I didn't want to post anything until this morning after talking with dad. He is doing fine. Not a scratch or a sore muscle anywhere. Our egos are bruised more than anything. Thanks for listening.
wow John So sorry to hear about this with the new car. But, the main thing is that Stan is ok, and some very good driving on his part i bet or it could have been alot worse.
thank god Dad's OK......buy that man a new pack of BVD's !!!! Sorry about the wreck, but thats of minor importance compared to what could have happened I guess a Congrats on the ET are in order though :beer :beer
Awesome that your Dad is ok. A car can be rebuilt and it is good that your dad can drive.I am sure if it were many people other than your Dad it would have been much worse. Awesome E.T. though.
glad to see that stan is ok and not hurt. congrats on the new time that is really impressive. Sorry about the car john jr
Angel on his shoulder So glad to hear your dad was not injured. Very much a testimonial to quick thinking and safety precautions that did their job. Wishing the family well...
Nnnoooooooooooo!! ou: YA JUST HAD TO SELL THE OTHER CAR, DIDN'T YA? What're you guys tryin' to do, make me have a heart attack? I'm relieved to hear Hotrod is ok. That man can DRIVE!! We saw that at Cecil a few years ago when he got sideways and managed to keep it off the wall somehow. I hope you can fix the new ride and have it out at Norwalk. Please tell Dad I'm glad he's ok. Doug.
Whoa Nellie!!!!!!!! Glad to hear your Dad is OK You guys will have that car back and on the straight and narrow in no time. :3gears: Wishing you well :TU: :TU: Beth & Dana
John, good to hear Stan is just fine, what a guy. Obviously, his abilities continue to shine even through the bent metal and broken fiberglass. My best to you both. Your new ET? Yikes!
Glad to hear your dad is OK. When flying, any landing you can walk way from is a good landing. Too bad about the car.
Holy crap Talk about going through the whole array of emotions! That had to be a scary second or two for Stan and I'm sure being there and helplessly watching wasn't something that you would call fun either. Going from excited (60' times are awesome) to anxious (wondering what the car is going to finally run) to freaked out (wondering why he didn't lift) to scared to death (seeing the smoke and pieces parts) to relieved (seeing dad out of the car uninjured) to concerned (will you be able to fix it) to angry (damn, first real pass in the car and now this!) I bet when you both left the track you were just TIRED! All those emotions in such a short time span had to just drain the life right out of you. Super glad that Stan was able to get out of the car and walk away....sorry that you know have a ton of work to do. Let us know if there's anything that we can do John....hope you get everything worked out and ready for next year.
Bummer! glad everyone is o.k. John let us know if you and Stan need a hand, we could easily get the Gang together hust as we did for Sonny's car. you need anything, just call. Bruce
I don't think I can ever get used to reeding posts like this. I just feel sick. Thank God Stan is OK. Hopefully it's rebiuldable. Did the damage go beyond the firewall? Maybe you can just front half it. Best wishes.
pops and his new hotrod i'll tell you what people i was there with john and stan last night. i was taking video of the car for them when it happened. wow was that ever freaky. all you saw was smoke and parts flying. then just me and johnwent running to the end of the track. by the time we got there stan was out standing next to the car saying he was fine. THANK GOD FOR THAT!!!!! so we started to gather up the parts laying everywhere. i have to say that i feel really bad about what happen to them. but pops is fine.. the car is nothing but fiberglass and metal. and it can be rebuilt. and will be!! :TU: please everybody buckle up on the race track its only there for your safty later scott
Glad to hear nobody got hurt, and the car is rebuildable. There's nothing like the sound of a car hitting the wall...it makes me instantly sick. Those times are VERY IMPRESSIVE to say the least! What the heck will that thing be capable of? High 7's seem pretty obvious :shock:
John, VERY GLAD DAD was OK!!! First & foremost! Your dad is one tough guy. Like Bruce said, need a hand with the car, let us know & we'll be there! also, congrats. on that awesome ET. Take Care! Randy
Stan's a good driver, he used his head... seems he did the right things, in the right order.. that extra 33mph on the back end is a SERIOUS charge.. :eek2: if he shut the motor off, what sent it into the wall? the chute deploying? JH
John i am very glad all is well, i hope Stan will continue racing.....i have listened to him talk about his love of being in the seat. Im sure he will be sore, and happy at the same time. (to be walking) Good luck you guys, the "worst" never happened. Nice to hear about the pass, in the low 8's...and to hear the safety equpment did it's job.
OH NUTS, not another Buick racer crash! But I'm really glad your old man is OK. Good luck on repairs!
