I agree it looks like your bar just kept the car off you in its final landing place. It is relatively untouched considering the condition of the rest of your car. Go buy a lottery ticket you are a lucky guy.
This, after talking to Jan. DON'T reuse the old one. Same principle of not reusing a helmet that's been in an accident.
Oh, I certainly get that, and wouldn't think of it if there's anything more than cosmetic damage to the bar. But it the bar has scraped paint and no other problems... Jan's free to buy me a new bar. I will certainly be replacing drivers side harness parts...
So, just the one skidmark, right? Well, that'll either wash out or you can just go buy another pair. It is a hell of a testimony to your GPR design, though. No one wants to test the safety aspects of something they birth like this, but a front flip is about as extreme as it comes. Good job, there, Paul. No one ever said you did anything halfway...
Sorry to hear/see that Paul. When I first read your comment about thinking your head may have hit the ground, I didn't even think about you not having a helmet on at first. Lucky man indeed!!! with all that flying around in the air you did... Good luck with the rebuild....
No convertible should be without a good rollbar, the idea that the windshield frame will hold up in a roll over is pure rubbish.
Depends on the dynamics of the roll-over... But when you face-plant the full momentum of the car on the windshield header like I think I did... It doesn't stand a chance.
Dynamics boobamics, every pic I have seen of one in any kind of a hard roll over has been crushed, I won't subject the viewers of the pic of a Miata driver rolled over and the long blood smear to where the driver was at in the car. He did not survive. This is why most new convertibles have some sort of roll over bar/protection in addition to the windshield...
Paul, I hope you're starting to feel better. Thankful to hear that you had someone on your side. That must have been one helluva ride. Get better soon!
Back in the garage and on the lift, for preliminary damage assessment. Obviously, it needs a new body. When you throw a Mini through the air onto this corner... this happens. Hard to see above, but there is a definite "fold" in the forward frame arm, it's bent as much as any I've ever seen. That's what happens when you focus the full momentum of the car into that spot. Though mine has the new "Speedster" windshield... Crush tube... crushed. Motor, transmission, intercooler, airbox, etc all look OK. Both lower control arms collapsed and bushings pulled out. Right rear shock sheared off. Left tie rod broke. Right front sway bar end link broke. All engine / transmission mounts appear intact. One top plate on the strut bar bent a little, but is OK. One Xenon headlight and one taillight broken. Both new RMW axles had the tripod joints pulled apart and boots split (typical for this kind of crash) but they can be rebuilt like new. Radiator might be leaking a little, but not much. Will be replaced. Engine still has a full oil fill. A little oil on the engine and tranny, but that may be from when it was upside down. As much oil on top of the engine as underneath. Rear end of exhaust got banged up but is fixable. Underside of car is surprisingly clean and undamaged. Didn't rip off any fuel lines, meth lines, wideband, etc. Even the PS fan looks fine. Wheels took a beating, 3 of the tires are flat. Interior is OK I think, other than airbag deployment and drivers side harness. I think all the vital GP trim is intact, inside and out. Both door handles got broken off, will have to rekey new drivers door (cylinder is still in the door, may be able to reuse it). Battery reads 4v, but 0v at the engine bay terminal, so the fusable link probably blew and shut down the motor before any damage occurred (I hope). It actually looks like I could hook up a battery and start it right now, but I won't. Important badges and license frame are OK This could be a problem...
Wow those are some ugly pictures. Your MINI sure took a beating for you. Hope you are doing well, keep an eye out on how you feel. Get to the ER if anything unusual shows up. You took a powerful thumping.
Well yeah... Miata....:devil: This one didn't fare too bad, but it was a straight roll. Was not a windshield face plant, which is what I did. But we're in violent agreement... I'll never drive "in anger" in a convertible again, without a roll bar. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72AfDt5IiQA"]ADAC ROLLOVER TEST Bmw Mini Cabrio www.sicurauto.it - YouTube[/ame]
As all Miatas have had for a long time now, the Mini convertibles have additional roll over protection other than the windshield....or did that bump on your head make your forget removing yours?
Glad you made it! Unsolicited advice: Even if it is just the tires I would chuck the wheels too. Enkei aren't the strongest by any stretch (learned this first hand with my own close call) and there is no way they would be up to a track day after that, especially given you work your car pretty hard!
Me too. Yeah, I'm definitely trashing the wheels. They had already survived my tirewall incident last year. I don't run them on the track anymore, but I wouldn't even trust them for the mountain twisty stuff we do.
As noted by me elsewhere, wow, I am glad you are OK, our total on Friday was similar but not near as harsh as your pictures clearly show. My guy was taken to the hospital, I hope you are getting better and anything comes up, get your butt back to the ER, pronto. Thinking about you Paul, you are a skilled constructor, make that bar a bit wider and maybe a bit higher, flush to the skin on the top. With all your HP from the RMW Stroker, you will be faster than fast, even with a bit of weight added. Take care, I hope you find the doner soon. Don
Thanks Don. Yep, my fab guy could have gone a bit wider and taller. With the current bar as a prototype, he could certainly get the next one about perfect. If I do it again, I'll also have it tied forward to the cowl, to prevent windshield collapse. Makes the car a pain to get in and out of... but makes it much safer, too.