Life got in the way and my teammates and I are skipping most of this year’s 24 Hours of Lemons season. But like any good show, the race goes on. This weekend at the Thompson, CT there was one very dangerous wreck. For an unknown reason the brakes on the 420 410 Integra gave out. In the video you can see the driver pumping the brakes with no result. Crap.
Most importantly, the driver was fine. He actually went to work the next day. This video is amazing for many reasons:
- First, the driver remained cool, he didn’t panic.
- Despite not being able to slow down or basically turn the vehicle, he didn’t hit anyone else in the crowded field. That’s amazing.
- The high quality video shows how fast everything actually happens. There is no time to think, it’s all instinctual.
- Both feet in.
- Front hit, as opposed to a side hit, minimized potential injury to the driver.
- Cage, race seat, harness, helmet, HANS – they all worked as designed. Remarkable.
- The kill switch was within easy access.
Many of race these junkers and don’t really think of something like this happening but it clearly can. It’s scary. Perhaps this is a reminder not to skimp on safety devices. Perhaps it is also a reminder to practice flipping the safety switch and exiting your vehicle as if it’s on fire. Like everything seen here, it all has to be instinctual.
Good luck and stay safe, everyone.
