re: 200 mph crash kills driver in NOLA Motorsports Park race

I have a pretty good knowledge of this type of racing, the car he was driving and the organizer of the event. I have met the driver a few times in passing at events, we were not on a first name basis but like was said before, he was a good old baw.
I used to own a 1500hp GT-R and did several of these events from 2013-2016. One of the reasons I got out of it was the cars were just getting too fast. I won an event in 2015 with a 197 in the 1/2 mile. At the time the top cars in the world were not quite touching 220. These cars are very safe and stable at almost any speed and it's easy to get lulled into a false sense of security. I had a 4 point and a HANS, but i knew with that I was on borrowed time and I didn't want to cut up my full interior, AC, satellite radio "street car" to put a full cage. I got my 200 pass and got out. There have been a few crashes at these events and the cars a known as being tanks and up until this weekend everyone has pretty much walked away. But like so many things in life it was only a matter of time. Anybody can finance a used GT-R and dump about $60k in it and go 200 in the 1/2 in 2018. The fastest lamborghinis are now touching 260 mph in the 1/2 with over 3000hp. That is a $500k used car at this point and the top racers have more than one or two of them.

As for Jeff's car, it was every bit of 2000hp. It takes about 1300-1400 to go 200 in the 1/2 in a GT-R. That car was had previously been 235 and this was considered a "shakedown" pass for him. Should have went slower the first pass IMO but there is long wait time at these events and he had his other car in line. Not too mention a 2000 hp engine doesn't last too long and every run has to count.There is a constant battle between power, weight and safety. These cars are extremely stable at even that speed and like I said it's easy to get complacent. As long as the track conditions are optimal, that is.

Being a local and "friend" of the organizer I was invited to the testing and photoshoot for this event back in July. The problem was there were no "fast" cars at the testing. The bumps in the track were noted but not thought to be a huge problem at 150-160 which we were all running. We were able to go over them at speed and be able to have time to lift off the throttle and get on the brakes before the end of the runout. The biggest issue I see with the track was it was a bit narrow for my taste and they put the end of the 1/2 mile and beginning of the braking zone right at the bumps. I was told by another racer that he contacted the organizer that it was in the contract that the bumps were supposed to be smoothed a bit before the event, whether they did or didn't , I don't know. I know that the biggest shops with the fastest cars heard about the track and didn't come and one pulled out as a sponsor. Come race day, the first 200+ mph capable car crashed. Drivers were warned at the drivers meeting about the bumps and told to wait a second to get on the brakes but it did not appear that Jeff did this, could have been any number of reasons, I won't speculate. RIP to a good man, he knew the risks and died doing what he loved.

Most of these exotic and sub-exotic type cars have been wind tunnel tested to 200 or so and the aero limits are now being well exceeded. Big changes in aero and safety will have to take place if this sport is to go forward. I think that the organizer of the event got a little starstruck at the level of the rest of the facility (compared to racing at rural airports) they were able to have tons more concessions, hold more people, more racers, have a VIP are and sell passes for. He took for granted one little thing and that was the actual track.

quote:

---

achenator

---

I don’t know much about the GT-R, but I’m assuming it’s a front engine mounted rear-wheel drive vehicle?

quote:

---

Big changes in aero and safety will have to take place if this sport is to go forward.

---

Aero and safety are the main concentrations of sports car manufacturers these days because once you reach a certain speed, it takes something like 100HP just to gain a couple more mph; whereas aero and things like 4-wheel steering are leading to huge gains.

Take the new Lamborghini Aventador S as a prime example... the 4-wheel steering, front splitter, and rear diffuser and wing create a tremendous amount of downforce - 130% more than the standard Aventador.

They have a very good AWD system that lends itself to this type of racing. The engine is in the front, pushed back pretty far though. The 6 spd DCT is in the back. Main drive shaft goes back from the bell housing to the trans and then a smaller shaft back to the front diff. These cars are known for putting big power down from a roll. The trans is sort of a weakness on the drag strip though because there is no way to do a true stall like a regular torque converter automatic.

Hammertime, as for whether this car was AWD or not I will say i'm 90% sure it was. On the ones you see doing burnouts they can temporarily disengage the front clutches for a quick burnout but they are almost all still running AWD down the track.

quote:

---

Glad it wasn't this guy.

---

Me too. Dr. Mike is a great guy and a good friend.

quote:

---

The changes to meet Indycar killed everything special about Barbers.

---

I still think Barber is a pretty cool track. Maybe not what it was but it's a great layout.

PSA:

Mary Jane takes a long time to leave your system.

Just saying.