VIDEO- Noble Crash at VIR this past Saturday

[DerekFSU]

Here it is, hardest crash to date. Very glad it backed in as opposed to head on. Dumb race move on my part. I thought he'd give me room but shouldn't have left it to chance. Oh well, live and learn- hopefully.

http://www.whitisconsulting.com/vide...ASA07-2008.wmv

[Dave]

Holy Sh*t! That was nasty!! Glad you are OK, though that is a rather impressive hematoma on top of your hand! No fractures beneath, I hope!

The accident seemed to occur very quickly! One minute you were looking for an inside pass, the next instant the cars made contact and your front end was seemingly easily displaced to the left by the other car, and then it was all over except for the swelling. It seems quite apparent that once you were pushed off course you had no chance of making a heroic save.

How fast were you going?

What is the lesson to be learned here?

Did the reportedly stout Noble chassis survive?

Thanks for posting this. I'm sure that many of us will benefit from learning from your misfortune...though it certainly stinks for you. Sorry!

[Lotusfamily]

Originally Posted by DerekFSU

Here it is, hardest crash to date. Very glad it backed in as opposed to head on. Dumb race move on my part. I thought he'd give me room but shouldn't have left it to chance. Oh well, live and learn- hopefully.

Didn't look dumb to me, looks like you had the line and the speed. The other driver came over on you (unless I'm missing something). Someone tell that guy that just cause he is operating a Nascar style car doesn't mean he can "rub" up on other peoples cars on track!

[cutaway]

The Noble chassis did great in the impact, sure it is serverly damaged, but the passenger compartment was intact. At 150 mph, that is impressive.

Originally Posted by DerekFSU

Very glad it backed in as opposed to head on.

+1 Glad it didn't hit sideways either.

Derek, your Hans device has once again paid for itself.

Derek's team puts a lot of effort into safety. Troy set me up with a six point harness. Then looked at my Hans Device and saw that it wasn't adjusted properly and had that adjusted it for me. Troy testing the position of my head and neck as it would be in an impact. When he was done Tom Long came over and inspected the setup with the Hans & harness and me in the car. They both went over quick exit and entry procedures. Troy told me to practice getting into and out of the seat in the dark in my garage with the music cranked up. Then Derek was nice enough to demonstrate the need for rapid egress, by catching his Miata on fire and escaping. When that demonstration was done, he demonstrated the need for a properly setup Hans by putting the Noble into the wall at 150mph.

After the crash, I saw Derek in the paddock with ice on his hand. He takes the ice off, jumps in one of the teams Spec Miata's grabs the wheel and says "Yup, I can still hold the wheel. Get me ready for the next race!"

By the way in the crash video, you can see Derek's condo at VIR commng up just after the esse's on the left. I couldn't help but say, "You know they say most serious accidents happen within a quarter mile of your house." Derek gives a big grin and says, "Yeah, I guess I shouldn't have bought a condo on the esses at VIR!"

[m0nitor]

Impressive you are in one piece without serious injury and ready to get back behind the wheel. Bravo for preparation.

Time to see if the Rossion body will bolt on?

___

Thanks for sharing.

[MicaM400]

Derek, that Vid is B A N A N A S ! Glad your ok bud.

[DerekFSU]

Thanks guys.

Chassis fine, only the rear clam the the intercooler setup were damaged.

Left the road at 149mph, 4.9g impact.

Mistake was my fault. Not a good corner in which to pass, wasn't quite far enough up along, only the first lap of the race, blah, blah, blah. Chalking this one up to another lesson in racing!

[chillidog]

Derek

I'm very glad that you're alright.

Your bruised hand looks *exactly* like mine after my big off last year. Oh and don't talk to me a out first lap crashes ...
--
Richard

[Gadgeroonie]

pleased you are safe

is the Noble going to be repaired ?

i love the colour - got any more pics of before and after damage

Respect to Lee Noble for building a great chassis

[cutaway]

Originally Posted by Gadgeroonie

i love the colour - got any more pics of before and after damage.

This one was from the same weekend.

Photo credit: http://www.projektphoto.com/

Here are lots of pictures of it from last year with a great write up about the car by SJ....

http://www.nobleforums.com/showthread.php?t=2603