Another NorCal SE30 Wreck

#1

Hey Everyone,

I’m sorry to report another NorCal SE30 wreck but the good news is the driver walked away just like Steve did. The #71 101 Motorsports car was totaled at Buttonwillow at the same weekend of our race at Infineon. Tony D’Alessandro was driving and luckily had only minor injuries (banged up shoulder). According to Doug Johnson (co-owner of the car) this is what happened:

“Tony was going through the S’s at estimated about 90 ~ 100 mph, when the rear end snapped around. He said he didn’t feel anything break or that anything happened with the car to cause it, he hadn’t gone off track or have anything that would have caused him to lose control, so the speculation is that there was oil on the track. There was a car out there that was going very slowly with a mechanical problem, so it’s possible that was the culprit. Tony said he impacted hard on the right hand side, crushing the car in by about two feet. The transmission tunnel is pinched, and the X-bars on the roll cage behind the driver are bent in, so it was a very hard lick. The safety gear and roll cage did what they were supposed to do - can’t stress the importance of having good, safe gear and components enough.”

Tony’s comment about the crash: “Now that I’ve hit a tow truck and a flag station, NASA may consider putting a roll cage in the pace car”.

These are unfortunate reminders of how serious our hobby is with respect to the danger we face. It is also a reminder to check and maintain our safety gear and not take not to take safety for granted.

Scott

#2

Sorry to hear about this. Glad Tony is OK. That was a beautiful, well developed car, one of the finest out there. So from his comment he hit the corner worker station, at the inside of the final turn (Sunset) headed on to the straight??? Or were they going counter-clockwise?

So… this year we have lost Adam, Tony 1, Tony 2, and Steve F from the NorCal troops?

Steve just located a donor to replace #93. How about Adam? Tony is your new car being built? Will the 71 be replaced? I hope we see you all out again before the end of the season.

I accept your reminder Scoot, it is good to reflect on the dangers of our choosen sport and remember that sometimes what happens is “circumstance and unforseen occurance”, like oil or parts failure. I am happy to know all our crashes over the last 12 months have not caused any serious injuries.

#3

Sorry to hear this and glad to hear that Tony is OK. That was a HARD hit.

Cars can be fixed or replaced. People can’t. Best of luck getting back on track.

Don

#4

Hi Tony,
I’m glad to hear that you are alright…Seems like we both need to work on aligning the stars again.
Hope to see you out very soon.

#5

Thanks to all of you for your concern. I am still pretty sore, but feeling better by the day.

Steve, I am happy that you are OK. Let me know if you need any parts-I, unfortunately, have too many spares.

Kevin, We were running configuration 1 counter clockwise. The flag stand I hit was in the esses on driver’s left just before the sweeper turn.

My new car is being built and should be finished soon. I hope to have it well sorted before it is time to race again. Doug has been on vacation and we have not discussed specific plans for the 71, but I am actively searching for a new chassis.

I want to strongly encourage anyone that has X bars in their car to seriously consider cutting them out and installing NASCAR style door bars. Had I hit that tow truck with X bars, I do not believe I would have had the opportunity to wreck the 71. And after seeing how far the X bars on the 71 caved in upon impact, there is absolutely no way I would have walked away had the impact been on the drivers side-just my 2 cents.

I look forward to seeing all of you at the track.

Tony D.

#6

Tony glad to hear you’re ok and ready to get back in the saddle. Good luck on your build/s!!!

#7

I was at the top of the tower in my drivers meeting at Thunderhill when you hit that tow truck I saw the whole thing take place. That was pretty crazy, glad you were able to walk away from that.

#8

the Shoe wrote:

I’m down, but not out.

My car has had the damage fixed for a coupla months. Between the 1yr old kid and a new job, I haven’t had time to finish it up. I’m shooting to get done with the little stuff (rear bumper, trunk latch, etc) and show up with a working car and a rusty driver at Infineon in November.

#9

Come back soon father boy. Dadhood has it’s high points! you enjoy it and get out to play when you can!