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FE Power Forums => Drag Week 2013 => Topic started by: jayb on September 13, 2013, 08:55:49 AM

Title: '69 Mustang Hits the wall at Drag Week
Post by: jayb on September 13, 2013, 08:55:49 AM
Link to the video is below.  I talked to this guy on Monday; he was the one who drove down from Canada and had to change a cam along the way.  His car had run its best ever time on Monday and he was happy as could be.  Too bad about the crash, but it sounds like he is continuing in the competition.

http://blogs.hotrod.com/video-drag-week-2013-competitor-contacts-the-wall-and-presses-on-80191.html#axzz2ebt725n5
Title: Re: '69 Mustang Hits the wall at Drag Week
Post by: mmason on September 13, 2013, 11:15:23 AM
What do you think caused him to steer into the wall like that?
Title: Re: '69 Mustang Hits the wall at Drag Week
Post by: jayb on September 13, 2013, 11:24:25 AM
I don't know, I watched the video and it didn't really say.  Almost looked like he broke a suspension component or something.  He's really lucky he didn't hit the other car coming down the track...
Title: Re: '69 Mustang Hits the wall at Drag Week
Post by: 65er on September 13, 2013, 01:06:04 PM
In the writeup they mentioned replacing a tie rod.  Maybe it got broke in the crash or maybe that was what put him in the wall?  Either way, glad to see nobody got hurt!   Pretty amazing he was able to get the car back on the road in time to make the next race too.  Damn good job!
Title: Re: '69 Mustang Hits the wall at Drag Week
Post by: machoneman on September 13, 2013, 01:29:26 PM
I think.....after watching the vid a few times, stop-action shows he was drifting towards the left, got the left rear out of the groove and likely yanked it too hard/too fast back to the right, overcorrecting and then hitting the right side wall. Watch the rear tires at about say the 800' foot mark start to drift over to the matt-colored asphalt (out of the groove) and by say the 1200' mark both left tires are clearly out of the shiny 'groove' part of the track one can see at the 1320' and beyond. Lucky is he and his car! 

Btw, the tires appear to be street radials and not drag slicks or look-alike M/T type slicks. Have seen too many high powered streeters spin or 180 deg. loop their cars in a similar fashion (usually near the start line though!) due to getting out of the groove (lined up badly), having water drip onto the track due to a poorly executed water burnout, etc. Never did like seeing a fast drag car on street radials, at the track at least, since the often time the smooth surfaces, unlike true street pavement, can cause havoc.     
Title: Re: '69 Mustang Hits the wall at Drag Week
Post by: Cyclone03 on September 13, 2013, 06:33:52 PM
I wonder if hes running a Locker? Seems he lost it and lifted,the locker I had did not like to be pedaled and would get "wierd" if you did.
A stick car? Wonder if he "jerked" the wheel on the shifts,that can make 1/4mile a long drive.
Title: Re: '69 Mustang Hits the wall at Drag Week
Post by: Barry_R on September 14, 2013, 06:23:58 AM
When drifting toward centerline....
Keep wheel 98% straight
Remove foot from gas peddle slowly
Try not to abruptly disturb the car in any way.
Title: Re: '69 Mustang Hits the wall at Drag Week
Post by: jayb on September 17, 2013, 08:25:04 PM
I just found out that the guy with the red 69 Mustang was chosen as the winner of the Spirit of Drag Week award!  He made the event despite having to change cams on the way down from Canada, and then kept his car in the race even after hitting the wall.  Great choice by the Hot Rod staff!
Title: Re: '69 Mustang Hits the wall at Drag Week
Post by: babybolt on September 19, 2013, 11:37:36 AM
More pictures from Drag Week, a few of Jay's car.  As usual at the Yellow Bullet the discussion degenerates into name calling so only the first page is worth reading:

http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=602065