Fatal Crash at track event in CGT

[RP-Motorsports]

I actually only like instructing absolute beginners, because the speeds are down. Yes they run poor lines, brake too early etc, but I just can't see myself jumping into an advanced student who thinks he is MS in his 500bhp Viper!

I have been thinking about putting myself into either of Ben or Cory's shoes all week. Thinking of the wives, and kids, and families. Man it just sucks.
Yes 150 mph is way faster than even 130mph. There is something about the mark of 130mph at the track. Everything above that is almost surreal. 130 coming into the brake zone is no big deal. But 140, 150, 160. You need some serious tools, and skills to manage that when the car twitches etc.

 

[DONYMO]

I actually only like instructing absolute beginners, because the speeds are down. Yes they run poor lines, brake too early etc, but I just can't see myself jumping into an advanced student who thinks he is MS in his 500bhp Viper!

I have been thinking about putting myself into either of Ben or Cory's shoes all week. Thinking of the wives, and kids, and families. Man it just sucks.
Yes 150 mph is way faster than even 130mph. There is something about the mark of 130mph at the track. Everything above that is almost surreal. 130 coming into the brake zone is no big deal. But 140, 150, 160. You need some serious tools, and skills to manage that when the car twitches etc.

I agree totally. I much prefer beginners. Even more so, I prefer women students. They tend to LISTEN to their instructor and usually have no ego about their driving. It's just hard to find a woman student.

Also, I agree on the speed. It seems that, at least for the NSX, 130 is about the point at which I feel like I'm really moving out (faster than most cars on the track, usually) but not going crazy fast. There are a few tracks here (Road Atlanta and Roebling Road) that I can push it and hit 145. But I have to say that it makes me pretty nervous to do so. I have to hold down the throttle into the braking zone and stand on the brakes pretty hard to haul it down. One little slip up and it's sayonara. At Roebling, which many consider a "safe" track, if my brakes were to fail or I hit them to hard and go into ABS at 145, I am pretty positive I could not stop before hitting the trees and having a very bad incident. At Road Atlanta, it's safer because there is a very large gravel trap (biggest runoff area at RA) to catch you, as long as you don't get sideways before it!

 

[THE4TH]

He will be missed...
Carlsbad will never be the same... :frown:

 

[Carguy!]

is this Carrera GT owner the same one who posted on NSXPrime when he first bought it?

the guy who posts as "CARGUY"? the owner of this thread:


http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46285&highlight=bought+CGT

is it the same guy?

No it wasn't me! I never met Ben, but I have talked to him through the forums quite a few times, it still doesn't seem real that he is gone.

Ben RIP.

 

[matteni]

I posted this the last time 2 people died at the track and it seems appropriate again...

Sad reminder of how dangerous this all is.

For those of you with little track experience - remember slow in and fast out.

For those with a lot of track experience - 8/10th is as fun as 10/10ths and a lot safer.

For those who give others rides - no one will be impressed if you needlessly endanger your passenger.

I remember an interview with Kurt Russle (Goldie Hahn's husband). Apparently he is into flying, motorcycle racing, car racing, and boat racing. He has 3 or 4 kids and they would all go and watch his dangerous exploits. One time he flipped his boat during a race and everyone watched as they rescued him from drowning after several mins being upside down.

He said later Goldie asked him about the boat racing "Is this fun for you or is this important to you?" She was implying that if it is important for you - OK - but if it is just fun - why risk your life and worry us all to death?

He says now he only flies and he keeps a picture on the plane's dash so if he were to crash he would have a picture of his family to look at in the end.

I liked this story as extra risk should have appropriate reward for you and if this isn't important - maybe you can find other things much more safe to do that you enjoy as much?

 

[cmhs75]

No it wasn't me! I never met Ben, but I have talked to him through the forums quite a few times, it still doesn't seem real that he is gone.

Ben RIP.

well, be careful, losing one guy is enough,

by the way, from a CGT owner's prespective, how does it feel when you're driving it at 150 mph, can you guess what could have happened to Ben?

 

[Carguy!]

well, be careful, losing one guy is enough,

by the way, from a CGT owner's prespective, how does it feel when you're driving it at 150 mph, can you guess what could have happened to Ben?

The car feels more stable at speed than any car I have ever been in, I am not sure what happened to Ben but I did read a post where he passed a car that was going 150mph so I am sure he was traveling faster than that.

 

[kenjiMR]

The car feels more stable at speed than any car I have ever been in, I am not sure what happened to Ben but I did read a post where he passed a car that was going 150mph so I am sure he was traveling faster than that.

I think its pretty hard to even achieve 150mph with the configuration they were running... I am guessing they hit the wall at speed ~100 in a severe angle.

 

[Carguy!]

I think its pretty hard to even achieve 150mph with the configuration they were running... I am guessing they hit the wall at speed ~100 in a severe angle.

They passed a car in the straight away that was going a stated 150mph, if they swerved to miss another car I would assume he probably got on the brakes, it also looks like the car slid a substantial distance before hitting the wall at over 100mph.

 

[SLIPPINnSLIDING]

I met Ben at my first Crystal Cove meet. He was a really nice guy, and knew how to crack the jokes.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61677&page=1&pp=20
That's the tribute thread. Memorial and reception was today.

 

[2slow2speed]

Best explanation so far of what might have happened, with actual overhead track pictures and diagrams, scary stuff

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12643&page=2&pp=20

Ken

 

[slashmatt]

I spoke to someone who knows Ben well. Ben actually gave CGT prospective buyers track demonstrations for Porsche. He was a very accomplished driver.

On another note, if you don't want to be a grown man crying, do not read some of the threads over on 6speed. I don't know the men who died personally, but it is just awful (and good) to read people's tributes to these men.

 

[Da Hapa]

I spoke to someone who knows Ben well. Ben actually gave CGT prospective buyers track demonstrations for Porsche. He was a very accomplished driver.

On another note, if you don't want to be a grown man crying, do not read some of the threads over on 6speed. I don't know the men who died personally, but it is just awful (and good) to read people's tributes to these men.

Ben was an absolute class act. Killer guy and a true car enthusiast who didn't get caught up in badge snobbery or elitist ideals. The automotive community in S. CA is much worse off without him.

Godspeed Ben.