First - I'm fine. The car - not so much. First round, after going through the traps (and smiling because my win light came on) my car started heading for the wall - I was in the right lane. I think I overcorrected to the left and sent the car over onto it's roof. I'm told it looked a lot worse outside the car than it felt from the inside. The car got some air so from the starting line, they could see the entire bottom of the car. It brushed the passenger side roof and then rolled to the driver's side roof. Next it scraped the driver's side quarter and landed back on the shiny side up. I *think* I hit the brakes too hard...

Front and rear windows busted but amazingly, the glass front end only has one small scrape on it! The rear quater is crushed in at the tail light so at this point we're thinking our best bet would be to cut the body off and put and new one on - the chassis is fine!! The front control arm broke when it landed and the hub broke off.

With that said, I think now is a great time for me to hop up onto my soapbox about safety. There are rules for a reason. I check my belts THREE times before every pass I make in my car to insure they are as tight as they possibly can be. I don't want to be able to move in my seat. I wear a full face helmet at all times but never put the shield down. Last night was no exception... I had some glass and metal flake stuck to my lips and in my eyes but it could have been worse!! Gloves, neck collar, jacket and pants... All of my equipment did what it was supposed to do! My cage kept the car from collapsing on me when it landed on the roof. Safety, safety, safety folks!!! I feel GREAT today. The tight belts kept me from moving around while rolling.

THANK YOU JIM FOR YOUR HELP!!!!!!!

Here are some pictures:

 

Yikes!

Glad to hear you're OK Jacki.

 

I am 100% fine! Well, I have a small scratch and a slightly sore spot on my neck but that is all!!! The car can be replaced!!!

Oh - if anyone knows of a 62-65 nova for sale, PM me! I'm not looking for anything in great shape as all I need is the roof, rear quarters and A-pillars...

Thanks!!!

 

Nice to hear your ok the day after. That was the first time I got to drive the wrong way down the return road. At the time I had no idea you rolled the car. I was getting ready to leave (my round 1 fubar continues) and was parkend next to your trailer in the pits. I was listening on the radio and heard you win your round The announcer said that both drivers are out of their cars and ok.???????????? I assumed you either kissed the other car or the wall. I was glad to help your guys get the car back into the trailer. Small pay back for all the help Rick has given me over the years. Let me know if you want to borrow my firebird to finish the season. The seat would have to be remounted for you and it needs rear tires and a oil change. 12.0 car is yours if you want. Your might give the ugly ss a run for the 12.0 index money.

 

Aww... thanks Jim for the offer. I was thinking about how to finish the season and realized that financially, I'd be better off sitting the season out and putting the cash toward getting my car back together quicker.

My dad is trying to push his vega and/or nova on me and Adam's wife already offered her Pontiac. I have some of the best friends out there - I'm very lucky!!!!

 

HOLY CRAP JAX!!!!!! Glad you are ok, that is really scary. You are 100% right. the car can be replaced but you have to be safe and keep your gear in good shape. One of the reasons I have not raced my car yet this year is that I do need a new jacket and helmet. I put new belts in a few months ago and a new trans blanket.

I only have an 8 point and a rollover like that would probably not be pretty. Glad you are OK. Even though there it sad to see the car like that this really is a good news thread. The good news is you are ok.

These cars were not built for turns and at 130 mph the slightest jiggle can really throw the car into a tizy. It can happen to anyone. So glad to hear you are fine!!!!

This now really has me thinking about my T-Tops... I always thought about replacing them with some sort of metal or Lexan tops. Now I really want to look into it.

 

I don't think you need to worry about your t-tops if you are wearing a full face helmet and gear. My windshield literally shattered... I didn't even feel or see it happen. After getting out of the car, I saw it on the track but I was protected (except for not having my face shield down - which I will in the future).

Rick was more worried about me than I was. I feel so bad for scaring him like that!!! And I was consoling my friend Charlotte as she cried on my shoulder! The thing that chokes me up is how many people care. It's amazing... and a nice feeling.

 

Glad your o.k.

The car is not in too bad of shape, Good luck

 

Don't feel bad. Take advantage of it. Just my $.02 but I think you should get back on the track asap. It's gona take a few runs to the the ghosts out of your head. You have access to some very good bracket cars. Pick one and get back on the horse.



Brain, I have the same setup as you. 8 point rollbar, 5 point harness with t-tops. I feel safe in the car. I don't think I would have issues in the event of a rollover. The t-tops are locked in place and haven't been out of the car for 5 years. 20/20 I would of started with a hardtop if I ever again chopped a f-body into a race car. The t-top is nice to check for clould cover.

 

Wow, glad your OK Jackie.

 

WOW !!! That really sucks but I'm glad you're ok,& it's ok to get on your soapbox,you're right,about safety regs.They're there for a reason even though not everyone likes them,one crash like yours & I'm sure they would change their opinions quickly.Best of luck finding the parts you need.

 

I'm with Jim... ride the Rick thing out for a while... the worst thing that could come out of it is that you can't race for the next 9 months

I was always worried about the t-tops breaking in a crash. Then showering me with glass. I'll work on a solution... at the minimum I will tint the windows to hold the glass together if they break.

I really need a new helmet with a shield...

 

Jackie glad to see you are ok. The car can be fixed. Not that much damage for a rollover at 130mph.

Here is before pics:
http://www.davemilcarek.com/032108/p...8-r2%20114.htm
http://www.davemilcarek.com/032108/p...8-r3%20070.htm

After pics:
http://www.davemilcarek.com/032108/p...8-r3%20113.htm
r3%20114.htm
r3%20115.htm
r3%20116.htm
r3%20117.htm
r3%20118.htm

Hope everything goes well with you , John

 

I saw the pics up on Dave's site earlier today. I'd love to see video of it too but I'm not sure that will happen.

Jim - I'm not afraid to get back in a car. Trust me... it's in my blood. I wish my honda was a little quicker so I could run it in Pro!! Seriously though - I'd rather put the $100/week toward getting my car back together.

Did you see they DQ'd me and put Haberstroh back in the race? I said to Rick "it's bad enough I rolled my freaking car then they take my lousy 10 points away! Kick me while I'm down, eh?!"

 

That's Joe Sway and atco for ya.