The Wakefield "incident"

[Pezhead]

I've been debating if I should write anything here about what happened on Saturday. I decided that this club is a tight group of friends and that as friends, we can look at what happened objectively. Even though it is only 48 hours later and my emotions are still running high, I wanted to share with you all what being part of this club means and has meant to me through this ordeal.

This is going to be a very long post (possibly multiple) so get a cuppa and get comfy if you want to proceed.

[Go get a cuppa now and come back]

EXCITED ABOUT A TRACK DAY

Many of you saw me around on the Wakefield trackday. I did scruitineering and was handling the photo DVD like usual. I also brought my Wife's Crystal Blue MX5 to run on the day. My GTR isn't getting enough spark on boost so I decided I didn't want to risk any kind of issue on it. My Wife as always, was supportive of me going out to have fun so she graciously let me take her car along. I knew it wouldn't be super quick, but figured it would be a nice change to have a light car to run around the track. So I figured if I got 3 or 4 sessions I'd be a happy chappy.

The ride to wakefield was actually a beautiful day. I took the top down, left work really early around 2pm and shot down the Hume Highway. Was a terrific run. I stayed overnight in Goulburn so I could get to the track early to help out.

The morning was frantic getting everything in place, scruitineering was flat out due to late forms trying to get everyone through the queue in time for the driver's briefing. Then on to getting people sorted with DVD orders and GoPro instructions for the club rentals.

I also had a mate that brought out his evo for the day that ran into technical issues. He lost braking pressure. Of course since I brought a bone stock car, I had really minimal tools. So I went around to borrow the tools and fluid we needed so Aggro Dave and I bled the brakes. Then we noticed two other issues. His car let go a rear main seal so was leaking oil from the transaxle and there were gouges in the brake lines where the rims were hitting. His day was done but he did manage a 1:13 his first time on a race track! Was great to see his excitement despite having only run less than 1/2 a day.

I got one run in the morning and forgot to come in early to check tire pressures so the RE001's at 50PSI were useless. OOPS! I dropped them back down and had a great run in the afternoon. After that session I felt like I was starting to get a handle on how the bone stock MX5 reacted. I doesn't have a lot of power but is really quick through turns given it's only running street tyres. I was struggling a bit as I was trying to carry speed into the turn to make up for the lack of power but I kept ending up really out of shape and therefore off the racing line.

THE INCIDENT

I asked Reece to come out on the passenger session to critique my driving and let me know what my "Bad Habbits" were. We did about 3 laps and I decided I wanted to come in. We had just entered the pit lane and turned right towards the pits when out of the blue the car impact occured and the MX5 spun violently. We spun 1.5 times and ended on the grass. Reece asked me if I was alright and to be honest at that moment due to the adrenalin, I wasn't sure. He was already saying he was sore and in about 60 seconds I started to feel the ache in my right shoulder.

About then the other driver did pop his head outside my window and ask if we were alright. We said we were shaken but didn't appear to be any serious injury. Both Reece and I stayed in the car until the saftey worker in a vest appeared and said we could get out.

So, what happened? As we exited the race course the 300ZX Race Car (the blue one) apparently lost brakes for the hairpin turn onto the straight. We all know that turn is a very late braking turn so by the time it was discovered there was no way that car was coming around the corner. It exited VERY wide and came across the left side of pit entry's concrete. When the car hit the grass the slicks provided no steering what-so-ever. The entry angle just happened to be pointed directly at the rear Driver's quarter panel of the MX5. The impact was so hard that the MX5 did 1.5 revolutions in exactly 3 seconds. The light Mazda spun so fast in fact that the left bumper and taillight impacted his car again leaving a mark and cracking the rear taillight.

I'm sure you're asking now - how do I know so much when I didn't even see the car coming at me when the impact occured? Well I happened to have a GoPro pointed right down the driver's side of the car. I have examined the video closely and that is as close to the facts as I can present to you. At this point it is human curiousity that you probably want to see the video. Am I going to show it to you? Yes, but only in due time.

As the club's unofficial videographer, I can tell you that video is about presenting a story. This story is not over - far from it. I promise that when this story has fully unfolded, I will make a video to share the journey you.

I've given a lot of consideration about this. If you do have video or photos of this incident as yourself why you are posting it. I personally (as the victom of this event) do not want people to focus on my car or the other driver's. Yes, crashes occur on race courses. However, as I said above this story is only 1/2 over. To show pictures or video now is only telling 1/2 the story. It is your choise to do as you wish, so I cannot stop you.

THE AFTERMATH

So, It's happened. Every racer's worst nightmare. I was 100% not at fault and the other guy hit me. I did approach him about 10 minutes after the incident and said "I don't want to discuss financials here, but should we exchange details so we can discuss them later?" He replied, "this occured on a race track" and then turned around and walked back towards his car. I was stunned. He wasn't even going to throw me some parts money? I thought about going up to him and getting into it, but common sense told me this was not going to be resolved then and there, so I let it be. Am I mad about this - you bet! But what I have learned in my 42 years of living on this earth is that fair is subjective. The man that learns to drive the best possible outcome out of even a truely twisted situation is a man that is a ease with the universe and his own conscience.

At that point I realised I better make the call and tell my wife. Those of you that think this was a mistake - are 100% WRONG! I told my wife that Reece and I seemed OK, but that her car wasn't coming home tonight on it's own. I didn't know the full extent of the damage then and there, but it was going to have to be towed home. She was a bit stunned, understandably. It was a bit windy so it was hard to communicate so she said we'll need to talk later.

Honestly the rest of the afternoon was a bit of a blur for me. I knew I had some club duties on collecting the GoPros and to start to collect all my stuff. I was glad, however, to see the afternoon sessions resume so at least the incident was put behind for those that came to enjoy the day. Even though it wasn't my fault, I would have still felt bad if that were the end to the day.

LOGISTICS HOW AM I GOING TO GET EVERYTHING HOME?

The flat bed took my car off the track and they were putting it back onto the ground when I walked up to have another look at the damage. My mechanical brain had kicked back in at this point and I'm optomistically hoping that maybe the rear wheel is just sandwitched in the rear quarter sheet metal and I can pry it clear to drive home. As I walked up I could clearly see the angle at which the rear tyre was cambered. I had a look and there were broken and bent suspension arms, diff mount and wheel hub - no go.

At this point two young guys approached me (no offence guys, but compared to me - you are young). One had trailered his car down to run even though it is street rego'd. He asked me where I live. He then said, "Mate, I'll tow it back to Sydney but I'm planning to stay the night here in Goulburn. Is it ok if I drop it off at your place tomorrow?" Is it OK! These club members had already banded together to figure out how to help me out. I was nearly speechless. "Of course that's fine" I said. He said "Great, give me your phone details and address and well call when we're on our way tomorrow."

THIS IS WHY I BELONG TO A CAR CLUB - BUT SPECIFICALLY SAU

This to me is what our club is about. Earlier that day I saved my mate from possibly having his own brake failure and the damage that might have resulted. It happened to me where I was the victom, but our club members were looking out to help me.

I knew it was important to get home so my Wife wouldn't worry about me so I managed to get a couple of options to get home. In the end our club Pres gave me a lift even though it was about an hour out of his way - thanks Steve-O. We had a good chat in the car and there are a number of discussions going on outside the public areas here on SAU. I can't tell you any details yet, but I can tell you that this club does not take lightly what happened to me and as a club we are looking into ways to make our track days even safer for everyone involved.

This is the first major incident for SAU:NSW that I'm aware of in 8-9 years of running club events. It involved a mechanical failure that was unpredicatable. I invest my time into SAU not only because of it's passion for Skylines and Nissans, but because it is focused on providing fun and safe avenues to enjoy our cars. I was one of the tech inspectors in the morning, I can tell you that other track days I've been to with other organisations have no tech inspection what-so-ever. How do you know the car speeding behind you has been maintained/not leaking fluids/not held together with tie wraps?

That is not to say there are not inherit dangers with travelling at high speeds. But the track environment is controlled where there are no telephone poles 1 meter off the apex for a corner and is still the ONLY safe place to take your car above the legal speed limit with acceptable risk to it, your person and others around you (ok, I will get off my soapbox soon).

THE HOMEFRONT

The next day I got an SMS from the guys with my car on their trailer saying they were leaving Goulburn and the GPS put them at an ETA of 1pm. They unloaded the car for me and it is now sitting at home. You guys were absolutely stellar legendary guys. Thanks so much, you really saved me when I needed a leg up.

So, I'm sure you fellas are thinking - "Gee, wonder what the homefront's like?" Don't get me wrong, Deb is really upset. She's almost come to tears a couple of times. But, she keeps telling me she isn't upset at me. She just upset that she's lost the car she loves and angry about the situation with the other driver. She did really love that car. It represented FUN to her, top down, sun shining and wind in her hair. I am the luckiest guy in the world!

I've promised her that I will find a way to make this right with the least amount of impact to our finances. I don't exactly know how I will do it yet, but I've made the promise to her. I'm an idea man, so I will find a way. She's so upset that she said she doesn't want to see it at all. No pictures, no video and I put a car cover over it so she (and the neighbors) don't have to look at the broken little 5.

WHERE TO NEXT

So, where does this story go next. I've pretty much brought you up to date, less a few details that are private and are not ready for sharing.

I've spent the last 48 hours mulling my options and considering how to make the best possible outcome on this. In truth, I've gotten a couple of ideas that I'll need the club's help to pull off. A number of you have already offered to help me bang the car back into shape. If it is repairable, I will definately be taking you up on the offer. If it isn't repairable, well I'm really going to have to go to the drawing board as it is an expensive car to just write off.

Back to paying for parts, I haven't locked in the exact plans but if I'm unable to get financial assistance, I may try to run a couple of social events as fund raisers to pay for the parts - think sausage sizzle, cruise w/donations, movie night at our new club house with entry fee as donations, etc.

Once I finalise my plans and outline the budgetary requirements and fund raising alternatives, I'll be asking for our club members to support my initiative.

I hope you are still here reading this mini-novel. Sorry it is so long, but I've had a lot of these thoughts rolling around in my noggen for the past 2 days.

THIS STORY ISN'T OVER....

...WE'LL BE MAKING THE ENDING TOGETHER

[N1GTR]

Eric the club is behind you here and will do whatever we can as a group to help you as we would any other member

Great effort from Jez and Deano, seriously what legends they both are

[Deano 1]

All in all Eric atleast your ok, would have been a big scare when it all happened. Hey and i got to use my winch on my truck lol its been sleeping for a good 6months so it was good to get it out.

I was towing my car infront of Jez on the way home, i could see all the people on the opposite side of the Hwy pointing at your car as we were going past, we turned more heads than we do with 2 clean GTR's back to back on the Hwy haha.

have you tryed to find a Rear end off a wrecked one? like a Half cut? theres a good chance you will find one, it will just be a matter of pulling it straight and replacing as many parts off the half cut you can. than just get it painted, wont cost much to paint a mx5.

Good on Jez for towing the broken lil beast home, and thumbs up to Kimberly having to drive Jezza's Gtr all the way to sydney!!

Deano

[fatz]

100% not your fault and the other guys is a arse hat to you

what a f**k en tool

[Trozzle]

The other driver sounds like a flamin mongrel (oh don't you love the wordfilters, I even chose which one I preferred...)

In all seriousness, what a heartless bastard. If his attitude towards racetrack incidents are that "by the book" then he wouldn't be out at a casual track day, he'd be competing in proper events. Twat I say.

[FST513]

Eric, i highly suggest you check out JDMST and the mx5 forums. Tonnes and tonnes and tonnes of mx5 parts. Most of them replace the rear suspension anywhere so they can run -50 degree camber, so you should be able to pick up parts quite easily (stock ones anyway).

If you need any help from me photo wise or organizing a little shoot to raise some money let me know. I'm sure Matt and I would be glad to help you out.

We all know how hard women are to please and you've definitely found one that is special!

Great support from Jez and Deano towing the car back. I'm sure the missus had lots of fun driving the GTR home

Good luck with everything and the other dude was a d!ck. I love how he just packed up asap and left straight away.

Keep your head up mate!

[GTRKat]

Well done to the fellow SAU guys for looking after it's members, that's really awesome to see

Really happy to hear that everyone involved is a bit shaken but physically ok.

Hard to know without being there but the other guy sounds like a bit of a heartless flamin mongrel. Just a warning, if someone did that to me or my car and you'd all be physically removing me from him. It's not the accident itself but the attitude that seems to have gone with it.

[GoldZilla]

As Steve-O and Eric have already, MASSIVE kudos to Jeremy and Deano (and their respective girlfriends) for getting the car home on Sunday! They already had a 4hr trip ahead of them, and STILL made the offer to help out!

The whole group effort, and the many friends I've made, are the main reasons why I love being involved in SAU so much!

The main thing is that you and Reece are physically okay.

[Pezhead]

I've started some inquries off mx5cartalk.com. Got a used softtop from there (fit in the back seat of the GTR beleive it or not!).

Really the fix will be depending on the ability to sort out any structural damage. I seems like it is mostly minor as doors and boot still close somewhat.

Really BIG thanks to the whole SAU Community for your support through this folks!

[Galois]

I'm so sorry to hear that mate, that really sucks. Glad to hear you guys are okay though. Just wondering if it'd be worth calling one of the free legal help lines? Maybe a lawyer might think of or know of an avenue that us non-lawyers wouldn't think of.

Best of luck.

[adam Foster]

Ill donate $50 towards the repairs or what ever happens please pm, text, or call 0411672105

[Whoneedstherapy]

Glad to here you guys are both alright, that is the main thing!

I'm with the mob, the bloke in the zed sounds like an absolute lurk merchant.

[oweban]

if that'd happened to me i don't think that guy would have been leaving with legs intact

i'm just glad you guys are ok, eric. in the end, cars can be replaced but people can't.

[TONTON]

Hmm so whats the rule that it happend on a race track?

[Cassbo]

Hmm so whats the rule that it happend on a race track?

Legally, each driver is responsible for their own car.

Morally... goes without saying I think. If I ran up the arse of someone else I'd be fronting some kind of compensation...

[Whoneedstherapy]

Legally, each driver is responsible for their own car.

Morally... goes without saying I think. If I ran up the arse of someone else I'd be fronting some kind of compensation...

+1

Thats a hell of a lot of bad karma to have hanging around!

[God_speed]

Well written mate. And what a contrast in terms of the quality of character displayed by the people in your story. You could make a movie out of it to raise some cash...! There's some good people at this club, that's for sure. I would also have been tempted to take it further in the heat of the moment, but you made the wiser decision and kept a cool head.

If the mx5 can't be repaired to a roadworthy standard, could you turn it into a track car I wonder?

[hamiltonau]

Eric, your back. We have.

anyone seen breaking bad? basically dude gets cancer so he quits his job as a high school chemistry teacher and cooks meth on the sly so his family has some fast money when he dies. While im not suggesting you go to this extreme to rectify your current financial woes (though wait.. Terry u know chemistry right?) his son starts a charity site linked to a paypal account and raises quite a bit of money that way.

If this was done i would match Adams effort and im sure others would follow, otherwise this movie night at the club house sounds fun. Social cruise on the 19th might be a good venue for some kind of BBQ related shenanigans too?

ok best of luck!

[gtr fan]

Thats pretty lousy of the other bloke.

Was his car still driveable? What age category did the other driver fall into?

If he is a member of a club his club should encourage him to assist you with the repairs, or ban him for being so inconsiderate.

Hope you you get this sorted.

[NYTSKY]

Is the MX5 registered/insured?