Dick,
Actually there were a total of 4 rolls, the axles were aftermarket alloy
from California and showed no sign of problems beforehand. Jeff refers to
the Summitt Bros. axles which are the ultimate in safe set-ups which were
ordered and will absolutely be a part of the next car. We are already
working on the repair/rebuild . Actually aftermarket axles ARE required for
Spitfires in SVRA, thats why we had them. They failed. The next set are the
same ones Kent Bain has run in a manner not possible for my car. We have all
had some close calls when others near us have had collisions, blown engines
or taken a wrong line. It is as a result of experience and fast thinking we
protect ourselves and those friends we race with.
The car, by the way landed on it's 3 remaining wheels, and as a result of
the roll bar being built a full 6" over the top of the helmet and my
insistance on always using a support collar, I suffered no neck or head
injuries.
My thanks to Jim for not tagging me. I had enough going on at the moment. Do
extend my regards to him, I neglected to wave to him as he went by.
I will be back at Watkins if not sooner.
Kindest regards.
Russ Moore
Spitfire #49
At 08:35 AM 5/24/97 -0400, you wrote:
>At Summit Point this past weekend I was paddocked next to Russ Moore who
>was driving what appeared to be a properly prepared Triumph Spitfire.
>During the first practice session on Friday morning, a left (outside)
>rear axle broke on his car in turn one, and axle, hub, wheel, etc. went
>flying one way, while the car flew another, doing at least two fairly
>spectacular endos before coming to rest on its roll bar. Jim
>Netterstrom, who was really hauling in his Super Seven, was setting up
>to pass the Spitfire when this happened. He very nearly collected Russ
>in mid air. Jim is a very experienced and accomplished driver. Someone
>with less ability may not have been able to avoid hitting Russ.
>
>Russ was taken to the hospital. Fortunately, with the exception of 3
>broken ribs, he was O.K. The Spitfire didn't fare as well. It was
>crumpled up into a little ball of twisted sheetmetal. His crew later
>told me that "the competition axles are on back-order and were due to be
>delivered next week". True!!!
>
>The point is obvious. One person's mechanical failure can cause damage
>and possibly injury to another driver. Had this occurred at the start
>of the race, it could have been - well, I hate to think about it. One
>would think that at the very least competition axles would be mandatory
>on any vehicle that could lose a wheel if the axle breaks.
>
> ~~~ Dick Rothman
> Turner Mk. III
>
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