Last week we gave you a video bonanza filled with random videos of crashes during “spectator drags” at small circle tracks. Well, “spectator drags” are the internet’s gift that keeps on giving because we have some fresh footage that shows two cars getting all kinds of wadded up when one racer has far more testicular fortitude than he does driving talent.
This video was taken at Seekonk Speedway, a bull ring located in Seekonk, Massachusetts. It is the last functioning race track in the entire state. That’s a damned sad fact. Apparently the facility had some sort of event last weekend and as part of the action held spectator drags. The ill-fated pair we watch is a Miata with a removable hard top and a third gen Firebird which looks pretty clean and is equipped with some questionable wheels.
The ‘bird is leading the one lap contest and the driver of the Miata is running out of time. The guy in the Firebird is obviously trying to avoid losing to a Miata and the guy in the Miata is looking to be the underdog hero (yes, we know that on a road course the Miata would absolutely swallow the Firebird whole, but this is an event being held at a stock car track. That’s not exactly Miata fan club central). As they head into turn three, the guy in the Miata drives into the corner way too deep and just collects the Firebird, damaging both cars and knocking the Pontiac completely out of commission. The dude in the Miata finishes the race with a totally farked up front end.
Press play and see two guys put the “amateur” into amateur racing.
You know, it would help if you actually watched the videos you post on this site.
the guy in the Miata drives into the corner way too deep and just collects the Firebird
Look again. The Firebird obviously lays the block, moves to the lower part of the track, slams the brakes and the Miata tags it. The point of impact is at the BEGINNING of the corner, not DEEP in the corner.
on a road course the Miata would absolutely swallow the Firebird whole but this is an event being held at a stock car track.
I don’t understand the logic of this. if a miata can out corner a firebird on a twisty track, it can out corner a firebird turning left only. Put both on a skid pad and you’ll get better numbers, more revolutions of the pad in a ten minute time period from the miata. It has a fully independent suspension, whereas the firebird does not.
Finally, this track promotes “run what you brung, rubbing racing.”. The competition is fierce, big mouths are often silenced and you shouldn’t compete in anything you don’t want wrecked. I thought it would be right up your alley.
You do realize that you are defending a Miata, right?
The Firebird clearly had the racing line and the Miata DID go in too hard. It’s the responsiblity of the car overtaking to make a safe pass.
The Miata’s nut-behind-the-wheel (calling him a “driver” is too charitable) should have anticipated the Firebird’s move toward the apex and had plenty of time to lift and brake. He was not along side before corner entry, which is the prerequisite to a safe inside pass. Instead, he was apparently out-of-control and all “ate up” with the “red mist” . . . and the dismal results showed it.
The Miata’s handling advantage is negated by the banking and the length of the straights. The banking allows the Firebird to carry more speed through the turns than on a flatter road course, which means that starts down the straights at a higher speed. On a flatter road course, the ‘Bird’s corner speeds would be lower and it’s ill-handling exacerbated by weight transfer, potentially making it easier to get along side to pass before the move toward the apex. The ‘Bird’s overworked brakes would also give up sooner. And the Miata’s ability to take flat corners at a higher speed could allow it to win the early part of the drag race off the corners. Moreover, it’s often easier to protect “the bottom” on an oval with a car that “handles down the straightaway” than it is to protect the entire “line” on a road course against a superior-cornering car.
Loved the “wife beater” shirt and gangsta shorts on the Miata’s passenger-without-a-clue. Great juxtaposition with the full-face helmet.
I don’t see how you can say the firebird had the racing line, when at the moment of impact the firebird is more or less bouncing across the grass at the low side of the track. Look again in slow motion.
Moment of impact is at ~0:14. If the ‘Bird is in the grass, the Miata would be off track. No dust or other debris is being kicked up to indicate any “agricultural racing.” At 0:15, the ‘Bird noses to the inside from the contact in the left rear quarter, but still doesn’t appear to be “dusting” or churning up any debris.
Conclusion: The Firebird is at the edge of the track, not off it. While there may be debate as to where the correct apexes are on a banked combination like 3-4 at Seekonk, the ‘Bird’s move to the bottom was well before the Miata drilled it and would have been obvious to a properly-trained driver.
the ‘Bird’s move to the bottom was well before the Miata drilled it and would have been obvious to a properly-trained driver.
With that statement, I agree. Having watched a few of the other videos of this type of “racing” I think anyone who puts their car on the track had better more or less be ready to pick up the bits after.
the firebid went in hot, as did the miata. the miata had the right line while the bird was trying to block, probably driving out of his mirror. bird got loose, pointed it’s nose towards the grass,lost velocity and kasplat. sure, being an armature event the miata should have gave more room but with a better driver in the bird the accident would not have happened, at least with to drivers of skill equal to the miata driver,
The problem with the “‘Bird got loose” analysis is that when you get loose, the rear kicks out and you “steer into the skid” to correct (which is related to all that “turn left to go right” business that dirt trackers and seemingly drifters employ). When you “steer into” loose, your car goes up the banking, not down.
At 0:13, the ‘Bird is clearly on a line toward the bottom of the track, which isn’t really a “loose” line (an oversteering car at that point would have stayed higher as the rear climbed the track).
firerurd was loose, wiggled and came down instead of regaining full control and forward motion like he should have.
I disagree about going up the track. they can go up or down. too tight, hit the wall, too loose go to the infield. and that is how it is. ever drove circle track asphalt? i have
i recant my last statement
I recant this recant haha