The reason for the increased interest in finding a new car - MINI2

snid · #1 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 01:19 AM

As some of you know, the brown MINI did not entirely survive my most recent weekend of driving.

I did manage to get a sub-minute time in it on Saturday at the go-kart tack. That's a time I didn't expect to be able to accomplish.

Sunday, I was stupid. I went out way too hard on cold tires on my first lap in the morning.

I did my braking at the end of the front straight, and made the first right turn of the chicane. I do not remember what happened immediately after that.

The next thing I do remember is sliding sideways, 180° from the direction the car should have been pointed, towards the two big trees near the swamp.

Somehow, I managed to make contact with a large rock that sits between the two big trees. I never knew that rock was there before. The rock clipped the front bumper and clobbered the right front wheel.

The wheel moved back a bit and closed the gap between the quarter panel and door

The door will open, but it makes nasty sounds as the door contacts the body panel in front of it.

The inside of the wheel made contact with the strut

The suspension on that corner of the car is done. The control arm is bent, the ball joint popped off, the half shaft pulled out of the transmission, and probably more.

I also seem to have take a bite out of one of the pulleys

And on the inside, both front airbags deployed

which caused some damage to my helmet (which doesn't photograph well)

And, if you really need to see it, there's video:
caution, contains adult language

YouTube - crash

Like I said, I was stupid.

But, I'm fairly certain the brown MINI can be put back together... time will tell...

MGB Boy · #2 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 01:28 AM

Shnikeys, that airbag looked like a bag of overcooked microwave popcorn! Glad to hear that you're okay, though. Can't really tell what sent you off there, did you hook a tire on the inside curb or something?

If you put it back together, will it be faster, stronger, better? Will it be... Bionic Brown MINI?

-Ricardo

blalor · #3 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 01:44 AM

Wow, dude. Your narrative(s) did *nothing* to prepare me for the video! "****" just about sums it up. That impact looked really hard, too. I'm sorry the Brown MINI is bruised, but I have a feeling it'll be back better than before. I do kind of wonder about that broken pulley, however; if that's the crank pulley, is there a chance it could have damaged the crank itself?

I'm glad you are ok!

yellowmininy · #4 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 01:46 AM

Sorry to hear about the Mini, Jason, but I'm glad you're OK. Those damn rocks!

snid · #5 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 01:46 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by MGB Boy (original)

Can't really tell what sent you off there, did you hook a tire on the inside curb or something?

Stupidity did it. I went too fast for cold tires.
Bouncing off of curbs didn't help, but with more heat in the tires it would have worked.

I didn't post this thread looking for sympathy, or because I'm proud of what I did.

I'm horrible at asking for help. I cannot stand feeling like I am imposing upon other people. I like to take care of things myself as much as possible.

But, in this case, I think I may wind up needing help. I'm not entirely sure what that will entail right now. But, if anyone has spare parts laying around I can have / get cheap... I'll probably be looking.

The first step is going to be making it drivable again. Not at speed, just under its own power. Then, I need to find out if anything frame-like is bent. At some point, a new bumper will be needed, possibly some other body parts for the car.

And I still haven't found an enclosed location to store the car at in the meantime.

Cape Cod MINI · #6 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 01:54 AM

A number of things come to mind:

-But for the grace of of a wet track while doing a 360 at Lime Rock there go I.
-But for dumb luck at ending up facing pit out in the grass affter going into turn 1 way too hot at NHIS there go I.
-If we want to play we sometimes have to pay and that's just the way it is.

Sure we feel dumb, but there's no shame in learning a lesson.

Glad you are OK. (Get an S.

)

Sheenabea · #7 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 02:26 AM

Glad you are ok. That crash came on quick! I don't have any spare parts for a Cooper though...

ScottyB · #8 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 04:12 AM

Damn Jason!!

Sorry to read this!

That looked a terribly sudden impact too.. ouch! Glad to hear that you are okay though..!

Best of luck with the repairs. Hope the Brown MINI is back, better than ever, very soon

ravioliworld · #9 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 04:36 AM

Don't forget, NoNo's selling brown paint!

rfinprc · #10 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 05:59 AM

Holey shimolies! Glad you're okay.

Venno · #11 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 10:18 AM

OUch!!! glad to see you're okay......
So question...I got a open face helmet for auto crossing...(still on backorder through)...looking at the video/pictures....should i be getting a closed face???

snid · #12 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 10:28 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Venno (original)

OUch!!! glad to see you're okay......
So question...I got a open face helmet for auto crossing...(still on backorder through)...looking at the video/pictures....should i be getting a closed face???

I'm not an expert, but my next helmet is going to be full face.

Oldpaint · #13 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 10:46 AM

Sorry to see this. Glad you could walk away.

snid · #14 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 10:52 AM

If anyone has an outdoor car cover for a MINI that they are not using, that would come in handy for me.

NoNo · #15 (**permalink**) Sep 6th, 2007, 11:45 AM

Can't see pictures or view the video yet, but I'm glad you're ok. You must rebuild! Brown still lives. Johnny 5 - ALIVE!