Discussion
Sad news today as I heard about the first Ultima CanAm crash in Germany. The guy was more than lucky to survive this multiple rollover crash on a wet country road this friday. It was built and delivered to him in April (by me) and only made it 500 miles.
The car did exactly what you`d expect from an LS2 powered car when accelerating in 3rd gear on a damp road. He made it from 50mph to about 100mph (please don`t try this at home) when the rear wheels apparently lost traction.
It shot off the road, up a slope, hit a traffic sign that would have chopped off the passenger`s head (if there had been any - probably also the cause of the bendy wishbone) and rolled over 3-4 times before coming to a rest on the "roof". The driver couldn`t get out in this position but was held firmly to the seat by the seatbelts. He wore a helmet and didn`t loose consciousness so he immediately turned off the ignition and tried to stay calm until 6 people came over to roll over the CanAm. Only then he managed to get out and, believe it or not, walk away almost unhurt! The ambulance took him to a hospital near Frankfurt where they only found minor bruises to his left shoulder and arm. I met him today and took these pictures.
Apparently all of the impacts were with the wheels only as there`s only little damage to the body parts (although they`re all damaged beyond repair). There`s no visible damage to the chassis although I`m pretty sure it must be bent after such a crash. Engine/gearbox/exhaust system all look like new, no oil or gas was spilt (except for tiny amounts out of the gearbox breather). Unbelievable.
After all, nobody was seriously hurt which is the greatest miracle of all.
The car did exactly what you`d expect from an LS2 powered car when accelerating in 3rd gear on a damp road. He made it from 50mph to about 100mph (please don`t try this at home) when the rear wheels apparently lost traction.
It shot off the road, up a slope, hit a traffic sign that would have chopped off the passenger`s head (if there had been any - probably also the cause of the bendy wishbone) and rolled over 3-4 times before coming to a rest on the "roof". The driver couldn`t get out in this position but was held firmly to the seat by the seatbelts. He wore a helmet and didn`t loose consciousness so he immediately turned off the ignition and tried to stay calm until 6 people came over to roll over the CanAm. Only then he managed to get out and, believe it or not, walk away almost unhurt! The ambulance took him to a hospital near Frankfurt where they only found minor bruises to his left shoulder and arm. I met him today and took these pictures.
Apparently all of the impacts were with the wheels only as there`s only little damage to the body parts (although they`re all damaged beyond repair). There`s no visible damage to the chassis although I`m pretty sure it must be bent after such a crash. Engine/gearbox/exhaust system all look like new, no oil or gas was spilt (except for tiny amounts out of the gearbox breather). Unbelievable.
After all, nobody was seriously hurt which is the greatest miracle of all.
Edited by SchimmS on Sunday 5th October 22:21
Edited by SchimmS on Sunday 5th October 22:25
Scotty-Boy said:
Glad the driver got out a-ok!
Noticed there's no rear wing... was that swiped off on the accident, or was there not one there in the first place?
There was a rear wing fitted but it probably was one of the first parts that hit the ground on first impact. I think it`s safe to say that it can`t be repaired.Noticed there's no rear wing... was that swiped off on the accident, or was there not one there in the first place?
Here`s what it looked like when it was new (a couple of weeks ago) together with an LS7 GTR.
During the crash the windshield was not fitted.
Edited by SchimmS on Monday 6th October 08:37
I am sure he's one pretty unhappy fellow and no doubt he feels a little bit daft, but I'm glad he's ok and hope that he's going to replace it with another. A little less right foot in the wet next time I'm sure.
The car seems to have hung together quite nicely, no doubt a significant number of parts could be used in the rebuild.
The car seems to have hung together quite nicely, no doubt a significant number of parts could be used in the rebuild.
Shame for the car, but no one hurt which is the main thing. I have to say that having had first hand experience of a couple of "offs" - one when passing a lorry pulling out and "flooring it" my spyder jumped right about 6 feet and left the road and down a slope and missed a phone pole by about six inches.
This was after 6 years of use and 10,000 miles in the car!
My point is that the shear power and grunt of these cars should NEVER be underestimated. Even by those that drive them a lot. For me the issue is if you drive a "normal fast car" the ultima is just so much faster/quicker etc it can catch out any one. In a "slower car" say an Evo or 911 - they have a lot of technical "stuff" to help but also are just no where near as "quick". Hence it can all be over in a couple of seconds.
But......... what a rush - assuming all goes well. My son summed it up very well - when we swapped cars for a while and I had his V8 TVR, he said the ultima is the only performance car he has ever driven which he is unsure of, and demands respect. He say it feels like it wants to bite back all the time!
Hope the driver doesn't give up on Ultimas - once the insurance check comes through!
This was after 6 years of use and 10,000 miles in the car!
My point is that the shear power and grunt of these cars should NEVER be underestimated. Even by those that drive them a lot. For me the issue is if you drive a "normal fast car" the ultima is just so much faster/quicker etc it can catch out any one. In a "slower car" say an Evo or 911 - they have a lot of technical "stuff" to help but also are just no where near as "quick". Hence it can all be over in a couple of seconds.
But......... what a rush - assuming all goes well. My son summed it up very well - when we swapped cars for a while and I had his V8 TVR, he said the ultima is the only performance car he has ever driven which he is unsure of, and demands respect. He say it feels like it wants to bite back all the time!
Hope the driver doesn't give up on Ultimas - once the insurance check comes through!
Fantastic news the driver was OK. These cars need a massive amount of respect at this time of year. Its not only the wet but the difficulty in getting any heat into the tyres. However the engine will love the cold air.
I am sorry to see a Canam in that state but very reassued that it rolled that many times and driver was OK. Always had this at the back of the mind when driving. Good luck if you rebuild.
I am sorry to see a Canam in that state but very reassued that it rolled that many times and driver was OK. Always had this at the back of the mind when driving. Good luck if you rebuild.
[quote=J&j]Having just ordered a Can-Am chassis it gives some cold comfort that it has stood up to such a bettering - roll-over protection was my only niggling doubt over the GTR. But then I don't intend to be using it in the UK in the rain.
Am relieved that the guy was ok.
[/quote]
As you can see from some of the pics the force of the imact(s) almost totally went into the wheels/wishbones and their connections to the chassis. I`m sure it`d look differently had there actually been front or side impact. But still an "impressive" result. Btw, the owner just turned 60 last week.
Am relieved that the guy was ok.
[/quote]
As you can see from some of the pics the force of the imact(s) almost totally went into the wheels/wishbones and their connections to the chassis. I`m sure it`d look differently had there actually been front or side impact. But still an "impressive" result. Btw, the owner just turned 60 last week.
;)
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