Pezhead

That is true. I've been to speed off the streets sessions where there were nearly 20 cars on the track at a time - crazy. It was an untimed passenger session and it was the ONLY time passengers were allowed in the car. I understand that the other car was giving a passenger a ride which is why it was out in the session. It looks like the car is out of control because it is. I have examined this closely and there must have been some kind of failure for the driver to get that far out of shape at that speed - consistent with some braking issue.

All, I really didn't want to post this video out of the context of my story "mini movie" that I will make. But given the interest and your right to make up your own mind I am posting it here. You can make up your own mind as to what occured. What I do ask is to keep in mind that this was an EXTREMELY unfortunate accident and in fact, the first like it in the club's history. I intend to make this club even stronger, and our events are as safe as can be. Mechanical failures are unpredictable and decisions have to be made in split seconds. I am not angry that the other driver did his best to control his car. I am also VERY thankful that the impact occured at the rear end of my car rather than centre punching a door. I am disappointed that the parties involved aside from the initial check never came back to see me at the race track (I was there until all sessions closed). Didn't see if I had a way to get home. And haven't made the most trivial effort to help me out. In fact all I get is a bunch of grief about how I could have moved out of the way. Who looks in their rear view mirror when on pit exit to see if someone is leaving the race track to hit them? You be the judge:

I'm uploading the video now so everyone can make up their own mind. The driver couldn't have missed seeing me as he nearly followed me into the pits and saw all the way down the back straight. Greg please leave my forum as you are not contributing anything positive to me getting my car fixed. Everyone here is intitled to their own opinion just as you are. The mods ensure that they clean anything out of these forums that does not meet our terms of use including negative comments about commercial companies. By the way, my ChipIn account was posted here, you could have at least pitched in a little. But you know what do not do so now, I don't want your money.

So I'm sure a lot of you have seen my post on the Wakefield accident that involved my car and a 300ZX race car. I'm not really comfortable asking you folks for financial aid but in this case I will need help to get this fixed. I promised my wife I would do my best to keep this from affecting our finances and since the other parties involved aren't willing to chip in at all, I'm left to turning to the SAU Community. I will be planning a number of other fund raisers so please only donate here if you feel compelled to. There will soon be some opportunities for you to come to a social event and pitch in a few bucks there so at least you'll get something back for your money. I've set up a ChipIn Account Here for donations. This week I'm running a raffle for contributors with a few vouchers I bought be cannot use due to my crook shoulder from the accident. First is a Speed off the Streets voucher at Wakefield, second and third are 3 x 10 minute karting sessions at Kartatak in Villawood or Arncliffe. In a week I will draw the winners from the donations and post a video on youtube of me doing the draw. Many thanks in advance folks.

Greg, I find your statements totally infuriating. To say I was at fault is a crock! It IS the responsibility of the faster car to safely overtake any other car. When I exited the track I did check mirrors and went to the far outside to ensure I was out of the way of any faster car. I have the video and can prove this fact. Even V8 Supercars are expected to slow to 60 k's in Pit lane! To say it was my responsibility to get out of the way of the other car is completely off base. It IS the responsibilty of the car that has lost control to minimise the risk to others. It is clear to me from my video that Richard would have hit the tyre barrier if he had not hit me. The impact to my car actually lessened the damage to yours. I would expect you to understand that since you are experienced in racing. I am not attempting to fix blame on anyone - this was an accident were it brake failure or not. I have never said anyone deliberatly hit me an my passenger. What I have said is that I would expect more assistance in getting my car back roadworthy. We can continue to argue our points but I am choosing to outline where we agree and we will just simply have to dissagree on the rest. I agree that on the race track, there are inherit risks and signing a waiver I agreed to the risks as outlined in that document. I agree that this was an accident which was unfortunate for all parties involved. Frankly I am the one who has taken the intiative to turn my situation around and getting assistance from my club community. You could have just as well done this as you have commercial contacts who could have offered more help. I am the one taking charge of my own destiny and turning my negative situation into a positive outcome. I am honestly a bit offended by many of your comments but will choose to let it lie as I have to focus my energy and attention to getting my own affairs in order.

I've received some info from one of our members that's family runs a smash repair. I will be in contact with them soon. THE LEGAL SIDE In other developments, I've received the legal waver that I did have to sign on the track day. It does look pretty clear and air tight that I do not have any recourse with the other parties. I will discuss it with my wife, but I think it will be money wasted to see a solicitor. The form reads: Each of the undersigned for himself/herself, his/her personal representative, heirs and next of kin, [excerpt from clause 2] Hereby releases waives, discharges and covenants not to sue Wakefield Park Motorsport Pty. Ltd, the landowners, promoters, participants, racing associations, sanctioning organisations or any subdivision thereof, track operators, officials, car owners, drivers, pit crews, rescue personnel, any persons in any restricted areas, promoters, sponsors, (etc, etc) from all liability, to the undersigned, his/her personal on account of injury to the person or property (etc, etc) So this leaves me looking to you - our community of automotive & Skyline enthusiasts to help me through this tough time. I'm very encouraged by the support I've received and am confident we will resolve this so I can make it right for my wife. Thank you all, god bless.

Jeremy, Please read this thread in regards to posting information you've requested. My linkhttp://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/228238-read-this-whos-the-best-tunerworkshopresprayerdetaileretc/ To everyone else, please do not respond to this request in this forum thread. If you have anything you want to say to Jeremy use PM.

Hey Steve, I estimate my speed at about 50-60 and I think the speed of the other car was around 100-120 at the time but that is a total estimate based on the overtaking speed. While I agree that it was an aweful event, in hindsight due to a brake failure if I were driving the other car it would have been a struggle to keep any kind of control going. The other driver said that he downshifted through the gears all the way into first gear. Although I completely dissagree with the attitudes of the driver and owner of the other car, I do genuinely feel that this unfortunate accident was difficult to avoid given the circumstances. It was also a very rare occurance as a first in our club events in 9 years. Even Wakefield has said they have no experience in this circumstance where the impact between two cars occured so far off the racing line. I want to be clear that I hold no malice against Wakefield or SAU. My primary greviance is with the other parties lack of moral character to step up to assist me. I am so grateful for the SAU community that has stepped to fill that void.

Brian, I hear what you are saying. However, I have also promised my wife that I will investiagate this avenue if possible to pursue some kind of compensation for damages from the driver and owner of the other car. She is upset that the other parties directly involved in this incident - the other driver and the car owner are not showing any kind of moral backbone. She has not once taken ill with SAU. A lot of people have made me well aware of the "you pay for your own car" rule. However, that rule is simply to provide a black and white boundary. As with all cases there may be exceptions. I need to see if this is an exception case. FACT: The CAMS cars you are talking about are actual pure purpose race cars. Cars that have been taken off the street and custom prepared for racing. They do not have to comply with ADR and are not monitored like a road car is. This is a very valid reason to have the CAMS Log book and I agree with the logic. FACT: This event, even though it was timed was a fun day. The session I was running in was a passenger untimed session. FACT: Even I have admitted that from the evidence I see, it is a highly logical conclusion that the other car suffered some sort of mechanical failure. I am not disputing any of these facts. Nor am I trying to bring down the track, the club or our ability to go have legal fun with our cars at speed. What I am investigating (key word there) is there any legal possibility that I can legally impose a moral standard on the other two parties to force them to assist with reparation of my damages. That's it plain and simple. I have done a fair amount of research this weekend and know that if I choose to pursue a civil dispute, I have to have a soliciter issue a notice of demand to the other parties officially. This constitutes the dispute and is the engagement protocol for taking this matter to civil court. My seeing a soliciter is only to understand the potental to win in such a dispute. Engaging a soliciter will not empower them to suddenly take a legal course against SAU or WP without my concent. I would never do such a thing. Honestly, I don't give the legal option a lot of hope. So I have already put the wheels in motion to take control of my own destiny on this road. I do appreciate your canidness and concerns for the best interests of the club and motorsport. I hold no ill will to either.

Well, now you see why I get them to shoot our track days. I'll stick to the video. hehe.

Fatz, got your PM about the DVD details. Send $35 through to the club account and then shoot me a PM with your address details. When I dispatch the DVD's in about a week and a half - you'll get your's in the mail. How easy is that! Anybody else want to get in on the club DVD's? Just follow those instructions.

I just started putting away some of my gear from the weekend. Since the accident it totally slipped my mind that I had shot these photos. This was actually my first solo trip in the MX5. I left work early so I could enjoy the top down and have a leisurely trip to Goulburn. A few shots on the Hume Highway on the way down: I actually got in to Goulburn when there was still daylight for once! So I drove around town and had a good look. When I drove past this old rail storage area I thought it would make a great backdrop for a shoot. I only had my point and shoot camera with me so I snapped a couple of photos even though there was no way to avoid some bad shadows on the shot.

haha - sure she won't miss this diff... *sneaks over in the middle of the night* lol!

I've got sources for most of the parts - less the diff and tail lights. And anything else I haven't identified as needing to be replaced. Most expensive will be the rear quarter replacement. The rest less the diff and tail lights are about $600-800. I figure the labor is going to be the killer. I'm thinking more like $5-8k if I had a shop do it including parts. But that is my estimate. Once I can tow it to a panel beater I'll have a better idea.

For those that are choosing to contribute - please only do so if you really feel compelled. I transferred some money from savings today to get the ball rolling on repairs. I will be doing some club fund raising as well. Asking for pure donations really isn't my preference to be honest. I'd like to see us come together as a club and gain socially from what has happend. May sound a bit "Kumbaya" but I sure do feel supported by all you folks. I'm talking to the execs about a movie night and have some other ideas too. While I agree with Ben that a receipt from a shop would be good, it just isn't in the budget I think (will only know after a quote). So, again folks thanks for the support. I'll keep blogging my experience and thoughts here for all.

Unfortunately, it would appear they can. I will be getting my form and the evidence I've collected to date and seeing a solicitor. Only they will be able to tell me if I have grounds to pursue the other parties for damages.

Ben thanks for the tip on Chipin. I've been struggling with Paypal trying to set up a separate account for this but this is way better. http://fixwifiesmx5.chipin.com/help-me-fix-wifies-mx5 I also do agree. The incident seems to be mechanical. Wouldn't have mattered if it was a race car or not, a car without brakes has to find a way to stop and well... there we were.

+1 on RDA rotors and QFM pads. Surprised that no one has asked you what you do - just road driving, light course work or trackdays? For road any of those options are probably ok. Don't forget that skylines are heavy beasts. They need lots of stopping power. I run RDA slotted and QFM A1RM for street / Texi Days. For track days I swap out to Hawk Blue race pads. My first track day I cooked a set of EBC Reds that are supposed to be their high performance street / track pad. Aggro Dave did the same on Saturday - cost him a front bar and oil cooler. So, in general get the right pad for the right type of driving you will be doing. Do NOT put race pads in for daily as they do take a little while to heat up and work properly. Lastly, I think RDA are good value as the better your pads are the more they will eat up rotors. Just a fact of life. Little more than my 2 cents.

THE PLAN I know a few of you have been wondering what's my game plan. Well, I inspected the damage better the other night. The quarter panel is gone and has buckled the inner wheel arch. That seems to be what is causing the driver's door not to close all the way. The frame rails look ok from the top and bottom but I'm no panel beater. Does someone have a car trailer they can loan me for a while? I'm in Turramurra on the North shore - so close would be good. STEP 1 - ensure it is repairable! I need to take the car to a panel beater to see if they can pull the buckle out of the rear inner wheel arch. They should be able to pull exactly from the opposite direction of the impact and hopefully the door frame un-tensions and closes ok. I want to have the panel beater do just that work to straighten the frame and door frame and then bring it back to my place. STEP 2 - pick up the parts I need to fix it. I've already been in contact with a couple of sources for the parts I need. I even sourced a bumper in the exact same Crystal Blue color, can you believe it? That wasn't a very popular colour. I still haven't found a rear diff or tail lights, but those can wait if necessary for a bit. One of the sources suggested I just order a new quarter skin out of Japan. Is more expensive, but saves a whole lot of stuffing around trying to cleanly cut the skin free from an existing wreck. Would also look more tidy as a repair. STEP 3 - Drop the suspension parts that are keeping the car from rolling freely on it's own. The rear wheel really flops around since the suspension's bent and rear hub is broken. I plan to replace the whole rear cradle in case the lower a-arm bent it out of shape. At this point the car should be driveable - I hope, I hope! STEP 4 - On to the body work. I will need to cut the old skin off the car and cut out the pieces that are beyond repair. I do have a number of tools for a job like this, compressor & air tools, wire feed welder, etc. I wouldn't consider myself a body man, but I can bang out a dent as well as any other backyard mechanic. I'm not sure if I will re-spray it on my own or have a shop do it. I've sprayed cars before (about 15 years ago!) but my garage is just dusty and narrow for that kind of work. Of course the MX5 is HEAPS narrower than the GTR. So probably depends on the budget at this point. I figure if each of these steps were about 1 to 1.5 weeks I could have the car sorted before we go on holiday over Easter - that would be a huge accomplishment.

Duff, as a club I can tell you we are not taking this lightly. I'm sure the subject will come up as a discussion topic at our May AGM. Come along and voice your opinion. There are other venues for super fast high power cars to go to. Our club events are geared towards guys like you and me - I just want to be able to take a car out for fun at a race track or texi day. I've already had some discussions about possible changes and suggestions. The club executives will be discussing the matter and I'm sure I speak for all of them that our goal is to run fun & SAFE events. Our member's safety is top of mind.

Hmmm spinzies 2 for 3 that's a great forum name!

Since pictures are making their way to facebooks and flickr's anyway here are the pictures of my car and his after the impact. When you look at these remember that this is the first major incident for SAU:NSW in 9 years of racing and the other car did appear to have a mechanical failure as the root cause. We all know all the mechanical stuff on our cars that can go wrong - so it would appear I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Just keep it in perspective.

Ambiguity is because I don't know at this time. I have requested that Wakefield get back to me with the engagement process. They cannot release thelose details without due process. No surprise that the driver wouldn't give them to me. I'm frustrated by this too.

Folks, I've been in contact with sureflo. I can't post up much more than the fact that they had "loaned" the car out to get some lap times. I am discussing with them at the moment. The Mackie's weren't involved at all to my knowledge.

All, thanks for the moral support. I will be back soon with some details on how I plan to do the fund raising for the parts needed for the repairs. Yes, that was the other car involved. It is a sponsored car and I have been in contact with the owner. The owner did confirm that it was a total brake failure due to a split line. I don't want to go into too much detail but suffice it to say that his attitute, albiet more sympathetic, was that this occured on the race track and therefore per the liability waiver I am responsible for the repairs to my own car. A bit dissappointing, but factual. That car is actually a sponsored drift car and the owner just wanted to get a track time for Wakefield. Although he didn't know the driver directly (contact through a mate) he was made to understand that the driver had done car testing with V8 Supercars and had done 5000 laps at Wakefield.