I Think I Finally Understand How People Crash

[636]

Originally Posted by Ben_G

What happened to your friend, and what car was it?

She just also lost control over the same bump, she was in a '92/'93 300ZX. She just didn't regain it and slid into a sign taking some posts out. Car could still drive but was rubbing the wheel well on the driver side. She also stopped an inch before nailing a MASSIVE metal support, which had she lost control 10/20 feet later, would've split her in two.

She was perfectly fine thankfully.

[Guff]

Originally Posted by jarviz

Wowwww, any idea what this guy was doing before hit?

No clue, all I know is that it was raining, and he had a car with no nannies and 450HP. He wasn't a hooligan either, just a regular family man in his mid 30s. I don't know if it was recklessness or just poor judgement, but whatever it was took his life...

[NOHOME]

Originally Posted by luscious

lol ya...

My first car was a '59 Triumph TR3...rear wheel drive (solid axle w/ leaf springs), bias ply tires and 4 wheel drum brakes.

Only those who have ever driven a car with that kind of set up knows what it is like to drive fast in them!!

I think I can relate to what you speak of.

I have said this of this car before and it bears repeating; holding down the traction control button for the five seconds is like taking your hot girlfriend out dancing knowing she left her undies in the drawer...You KNOW that mis-behaving is going to happen.

[Mobius357]

Pickup trucks are good practice in overstear. Lots of torque and very front heavy. Any car can bite though when mishandled. Damn shame 'bout the buyer of that supra.

[ashtray]

"no reason to ever turn off traction control on the street"

Well, I've got one: there's a 50mph road I turn right onto every day. People are usually doing 50-60mph. Busy road. On one occasion I stepped out (turned) and this car started approaching REAL fast. (2 lanes each direction - he was in the left lane but must have pulled out into right lane at 70mph to pass). I saw this as I already started to turn and nailed the gas - only to get a SLOWER response and see that yellow light on my dash flashing. Ugh! Luckily still avoided an accident. Wouldn't have been as close had I put it in sport mode.

Yes, it's a 90 degree turn with my foot on the floor. Yes I've done this a million times in RWD vehicles without any nannies. I was fully prepared for the rear to step out a bit - it didn't. Since that day, when I make that turn, I put it in sport mode. There's some wheel slippage and the back rotates through the turn a little, but easily controlled and I can turn onto that busy street without getting hit.

For the average driver, yes, leave the nannies full on.

[ftc~brz]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

Wow glad you lucked out.

Yes, this car sees more accidents because people switch off all the nannies and it is RWD but those are also the things that make it a fun car to drive. These are all instances of the car teaching a new generation of enthusiasts how to drive. But like you said, it's best to keep those lessons off public roads and in a controlled environment.

Here is a spectacular example of when something unexpected happens on a public road:

OMFG! that is just not okay!

[RRnold]

"but it was so easy in GT5"

[sho220]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

Wow glad you lucked out.

Yes, this car sees more accidents because people switch off all the nannies and it is RWD but those are also the things that make it a fun car to drive. These are all instances of the car teaching a new generation of enthusiasts how to drive. But like you said, it's best to keep those lessons off public roads and in a controlled environment.

Here is a spectacular example of when something unexpected happens on a public road:

Anyone else hear Napolean Dynamite at 00:24?

[_hollywood]

I have a favorite turn every day that has a nasty bump to it, it just makes the rear suspension unload and feels very wierd me, and i know it has claimed many victims over the years...


Guys its simple, just respect your car, there is no reset button in real life, i do very very stupid things in all of my cars but i am by myself away from any other people so i am the only one who will be affected if i crash.

The gtr in that video, what a dumbass, what if a family was coming around that corner and he hit them at 100 mph plus.....

[feedbag]

This forum is going to get real ugly here in a few months.

[Texas BRZ]

Glad you're safe, OP.

I'll also admit that I used to be an individual who would turn off traction control on public roads a few years back, and I'll also admit that I've totaled my share of vehicles due to my own fault and immaturity.

Since then, I've become a much better driver (and person) by educating myself through several HPDE events... And I've come to the habit of only turning off the traction control when I'm at the track, and I always turn it off there because it's a much safer and controlled environment / location.

Better to play it safe than sorry, no matter how good of a driver one is.

[sho220]

Originally Posted by ashtray

"no reason to ever turn off traction control on the street"

Well, I've got one: there's a 50mph road I turn right onto every day. People are usually doing 50-60mph. Busy road. On one occasion I stepped out (turned) and this car started approaching REAL fast. (2 lanes each direction - he was in the left lane but must have pulled out into right lane at 70mph to pass). I saw this as I already started to turn and nailed the gas - only to get a SLOWER response and see that yellow light on my dash flashing. Ugh! Luckily still avoided an accident. Wouldn't have been as close had I put it in sport mode.

Yes, it's a 90 degree turn with my foot on the floor. Yes I've done this a million times in RWD vehicles without any nannies. I was fully prepared for the rear to step out a bit - it didn't. Since that day, when I make that turn, I put it in sport mode. There's some wheel slippage and the back rotates through the turn a little, but easily controlled and I can turn onto that busy street without getting hit.

For the average driver, yes, leave the nannies full on.

You don't know where the car came from that almost hit you and you were surprised by a turn you've taken "a million times"? Yeah...you're awesome. If there was a "who's gonna crash their shit next" pool, you'd be a strong contender.

[mr2lor]

Glad the OP is fine. However, if you are going to be stupid, please be stupid on the track instead. Don't want to ruin any unfortunate innocent lives because they were on the wrong place and wrong time.

[ashtray]

Originally Posted by sho220

You don't know where the car came from that almost hit you and you were surprised by a turn you've taken "a million times"? Yeah...you're awesome. If there was a "who's gonna crash their shit next" pool, you'd be a strong contender.

I looked to the left - 2 cars coming towards me both in the left lane. Right lane OPEN. When I turned I kept my eye glancing on the mirror - and bingo, as I decide to turn, one of the cars in the left lane decides to change lanes into the right lane to pass. Thus so, I nailed the gas but that set off the little yellow light that reduced power when I needed it the most.

As for the "strong contender" comment: I've been driving over 20 years, have owned 7 RWD vehicles ranging from 150-350hp. Only two had any nannies. No wrecks.