July 2024
13July
Inspection
On Friday I removed the seat belts for replacement, and the fuel cell cover, to inspect the fuel tanks behind the drivers seat, and I cant find anything damaged in the impact. The front wing 2nd elements have been posted off to DJ for them to shorten and build up the replacement wing.I have checked wether it is possible for the left foot to press the throttle pedal when braking, and no it isnt. But there is a 90 degree side step on the right edge of the throttle pedal, meant to prevent your foot from sliding off, that I may have pressed. I guess we'll never know.
I'm still in considerable discomfort, especially my stomach, I dont think I've any broken ribs, but out of 10 the pain is a solid 9 if I inhale/exhale, so I dont plan on getting back in to the car again soon. I must have done far more damage to myself than I initially thought. My season is over, and I'll aim to repair and test ready for 2025.
11July
Cleaning the car
Hoovering all the grass and grit from the car, and inspecting the seat belts, suspension mounts etc.10July
Setting the brake and throttle fuel cuts
Low and behold, the ECU can prevent you from accelerating if you press the throttle and brake at the same time, by cutting fuel. This video explains all.Note: The values in the table are just an illustration.
9July
Data deep dive
Here is an honest assessment of what happened on the lead up to the crash at Mallory. There were a combination of things working against me, one of which was the throttle pedal being pressed at the same time I was braking! Watch the 15 minute video below to allow me to explain.7July
Inspection begins
I spent a good hour outside in the garage today, to establish if there was any serious damage to the chassis from the 13G impact, and it all appears to be ok. No cracks that I can see, just a few broken cable ties that located a couple of items. I hoovered all the grass and mud and stones from the side pods and the cockpit, and then had a look for any damage to the belts. They do appear to have stretched, most noticably on the shoulder strap buckles behind the drivers seat; there are loops of belt which have appeared around the buckles, but the belts are meant to stretch in a big impact, and therefore they are going to be replaced. The crutch and lap belts look to be ok, but they'll also be replaced.The belts I am using are Sabelt Steel Formula Mid 6 points, in black.
The primary reason for all the bruising and damage to my thighs has to be the location of the metal buckles on both lap belts. They're there to ensure the belts are easily adjusted. My lap belts were always difficult to push in to the buckle (a bit of timber gained over christmas cant be helped); I couldn't have pulled the lap belts any tighter; however, with hindsight, using a lap belt with adjusters probably wasn't such a great idea. The metal adjuster mechanisms sit against my thighs/hips, so in the impact they were bound to cause injuries.
The only alternative is to use the type of lap belt that requires the bolts that hold the belts to the chassis rails, to be loosened, to allow the belts to be adjusted, which is a PITA to do sat in the car, and once adjusted, the bolts have to be done up again to stop the belts from moving. That means you cant make rapid adjustments for say when, a driver swap takes place.
The replacement belts wont have quick adjusters on them. Lesson learnt.
The brake pedal looks to have survived the impact and the 100bar of brake pressure generated didnt burst any of the pipes or fittings, despite them being badly damaged on the front near side wishbone. I will replace both front lines.
The brake pedal looks ok, as does the throttle and clutch pedals, however the steering wheel took a large impact and needs pulling straight again on the left hand side.
3July
Spectator video of the crash
If you havent already seen the impact, there's several videos of it on youtube, from different vantage points. I am now in the process of creating a video explaining what happened and the results, which will be available on youtube in the coming week. I do have onboard video, which I have supplied to Motorsport UK. The video taken by Pescara Productions was also taken as evidence by the Stewards and is also now with MSUK. I am hoping something positive will come from this accident, improving track safety and reducing risks is a very high priority for the organising body.1July
Slow recovery
I've never had such bad bruises before; both my hips are black and blue, my back is still causing me grief, but I am able to get around the house, and sit at my desk and work, for short periods. The bruising on my hips, is caused by the six point belts, as are the bruises inside my thighs. I have other bruises on my legs, caused by making contact with the tubular steel chassis. My left forearm is also very badly injured; on the trip home from the circuit, a golf ball sized bump suddenly appeared on my forearm, which I treated by placing a bottle of iced water against it. But only since about Wednesday the bruising on my arm really started to appear, and its very painful to rest on that arm when I'm typing.I am getting prices for parts, which were destroyed in the impact with the armco. The SM153 front wing is no longer made by DJ, they have a new wing which is even more powerful, and deeper, and needs mounting 100mm off the ground; but I cant use it as the aero balance will be upset and I'd be spending half the year sorting that out. They have very kindly offered to make me an SM153, but I will need to supply the lengths of the second elements, which once I'm able to work on the car, I will do. The bad news is that the wing assembly will cost around £3500 !! And I've not had prices back yet from Mygale for the nosecone and bonnet, which I know wont be cheap.
Meanwhile I've cancelled the entries and received refunds from most of the events I'll be missing, just two remain, BARC-Midlands, and Longton, for the Snetterton Sprint and the Anglesey Sprint, and I've sent further reminders today.
I've had many messages from people who also feel the cones were responsible for the crash; at the event in March there were just two cones, and for the event in June there was a wall of them, which from my onboard footage from P1, T1 and T2, were not being replaced in the original positions as vehicles hit them. Surely if cones are being hit, that's a big clue that they perhaps, are increasing the risk of harm to participants? The cone thats on its side should also have brought out the red flag so it could be stood up again. That was knocked down just a few minutes before I arrived.
For a British Sprint Championship Run Off run, the cones should have been removed altogether. It would have taken 60 seconds to stop and remove them before our runs commenced.
