Discussion
Well I am now a statistic.One of the new drivers who have an accident in the first year...and I was trying so hard to be carefull.
I lost the rear end of the car on the A406 tonight at about 11 o'clock and the car's a right-off.
Entirely my fault-I used to much throttle in the wrong conditions.
Reason for posting is just to warn other new TVR drivers that it can happen in an instant and you can forget all about catching the slide etc-it happens SO FAST.
Please learn from my dumb error-take care in the winter and be REALLY gentle on and off the gass.
I didn't and am now paying the price.
For the experienced-so you can tell me what I did wrong some detail.
Wet and greasy road conditions as its a highly trafficed area-just north of the Chiswick roundabout for thoughs that know the road. Accelerating in a straight line - obviously to hard for conditions.
The suprise was once the back end went there seemed to be no real grip at all-back or front and I was a complete passenger until I hit the kurb and railings on the other side of the road. I have had a couple of minor moments before but have managed to catch the car before anything disasterous happened-perhaps I was getting over confident.There was hardly any loss of speed when the car hit the kurb and barrier
which made it a big impact,I would have anticipated some reduction.
Thank god there were no cars at all on either side of the road when this happened.
Both I and my passenger walked away and I was impressed with the toughness of the car structure-these cars are not fragile. I don't know how much energy was absorbed in the inpact by the fibreglass but the cabin was un-deformed. Only problem was the driver door which could not be opened. Passenger door and boot lid functioned fine.
I feel fortunate to be sitting here feeling really sore and in mourning for what was once a wonderfull machine.
Feeling very pissed off.
I lost the rear end of the car on the A406 tonight at about 11 o'clock and the car's a right-off.
Entirely my fault-I used to much throttle in the wrong conditions.
Reason for posting is just to warn other new TVR drivers that it can happen in an instant and you can forget all about catching the slide etc-it happens SO FAST.
Please learn from my dumb error-take care in the winter and be REALLY gentle on and off the gass.
I didn't and am now paying the price.
For the experienced-so you can tell me what I did wrong some detail.
Wet and greasy road conditions as its a highly trafficed area-just north of the Chiswick roundabout for thoughs that know the road. Accelerating in a straight line - obviously to hard for conditions.
The suprise was once the back end went there seemed to be no real grip at all-back or front and I was a complete passenger until I hit the kurb and railings on the other side of the road. I have had a couple of minor moments before but have managed to catch the car before anything disasterous happened-perhaps I was getting over confident.There was hardly any loss of speed when the car hit the kurb and barrier
which made it a big impact,I would have anticipated some reduction.
Thank god there were no cars at all on either side of the road when this happened.
Both I and my passenger walked away and I was impressed with the toughness of the car structure-these cars are not fragile. I don't know how much energy was absorbed in the inpact by the fibreglass but the cabin was un-deformed. Only problem was the driver door which could not be opened. Passenger door and boot lid functioned fine.
I feel fortunate to be sitting here feeling really sore and in mourning for what was once a wonderfull machine.
Feeling very pissed off.
I am really sorry to read this news Steve, we're glad you are OK though,, it is sometimes all too easy to get the back out, through little fault of your own, and I'm pretty sure we've all done the same at some point. It is fantastic however that you are unhurt and live to drive another day 
Sorry to hear that, but like others have said already, the car can be fixed/replaced - you can't, so the main thing is that you're OK.
One reason why you didn't slow down that much once you started spinning is that when a tyre is spinning or locks, it has less friction than one that is rotating. Also, if you're accelarating and the rear wheels start to spin, the revs go up, and generally the engine will be moving up the power curve, so the engine power goes up too, making things even worse. Of course, wet and possibly icy roads don't help either.
One reason why you didn't slow down that much once you started spinning is that when a tyre is spinning or locks, it has less friction than one that is rotating. Also, if you're accelarating and the rear wheels start to spin, the revs go up, and generally the engine will be moving up the power curve, so the engine power goes up too, making things even worse. Of course, wet and possibly icy roads don't help either.
Many thnks to you all for your thoughts-really appreciate it and it really does help.
Ed-what you described sounds .....familier.
I guess I was not responding as fast as I should.
Damn shame about the car...Monday I was riding through Richmond Park,brilliant sun and blue sky, windows open to hear that wonderfull Speed 6 and flashing hello to a Chimera driver going the the way. I was feeling very happy to own a Tuscan S.It was a good one and we had already had lots of fun.No idea how I'm going to explain what I did to her to the Barnet crew-they have looked after her so well.
Blackpool...please forgive me.
....and you bet I'll buy another one.
Ed-what you described sounds .....familier.
I guess I was not responding as fast as I should.
Damn shame about the car...Monday I was riding through Richmond Park,brilliant sun and blue sky, windows open to hear that wonderfull Speed 6 and flashing hello to a Chimera driver going the the way. I was feeling very happy to own a Tuscan S.It was a good one and we had already had lots of fun.No idea how I'm going to explain what I did to her to the Barnet crew-they have looked after her so well.
Blackpool...please forgive me.
....and you bet I'll buy another one.
EddyB its fine-when I hear what they want to do with the body I'll let you know so you can contact them direct.It'll be next week some time.
Thanks for the thoughts Bigbaddom. Yes it was silver and had just been washed for the cruise.My first drive was a clapped out Mini so your Polo sounds a bit upmarket.It will take a little time but hang on in,they are worth it.
Thanks for the thoughts Bigbaddom. Yes it was silver and had just been washed for the cruise.My first drive was a clapped out Mini so your Polo sounds a bit upmarket.It will take a little time but hang on in,they are worth it.
Sorry to hear about your accident. I did almost exactly the same thing on Monday, wet and greasy road, lost the back end braking hard to avoid the car in front. Ended up on the other side of the road after spinning, fortunately the only damage was a ripped off front grill.
I was at the body shop today and there must have been 15+ TVRs, Lotuses and Nobles all smashed up within the last week. It teaches you to respect your car in these conditions.
I was at the body shop today and there must have been 15+ TVRs, Lotuses and Nobles all smashed up within the last week. It teaches you to respect your car in these conditions.
Really glad to hear you're OK. Thank God I don't know how you feel.
I have to say I seem to be learning every day in these cold wet conditions aswell.
I managed to get it slightly wrong on a roundabout by Cobham / Shorne off the A2.
Very scary, 450deg spin which ended up parking the offside front into the kerb of the roundabout. Still haven't quite worked out the logisitics, but think I managed to re-grip using power and lock during the spin, hence offside wheel slight damage (dent in rim).
As wheel not cracked or unbalanced (remarkably) through impact am gonna wait before replacing in case I do it again.
Anyone got any ideas on how much wheel replacement costs?
BaroN
I have to say I seem to be learning every day in these cold wet conditions aswell.
I managed to get it slightly wrong on a roundabout by Cobham / Shorne off the A2.
Very scary, 450deg spin which ended up parking the offside front into the kerb of the roundabout. Still haven't quite worked out the logisitics, but think I managed to re-grip using power and lock during the spin, hence offside wheel slight damage (dent in rim).
As wheel not cracked or unbalanced (remarkably) through impact am gonna wait before replacing in case I do it again.
Anyone got any ideas on how much wheel replacement costs?
BaroN
Just saw this message and wanted you to know you aren't the only one. I smashed my Noble in what sounds like an identical type of accident (also hit kerbs and then barrier!).
Just like you I'd had a couple of moment in it previously and thought I'd bedded myself in when I had the crash.
No traction control and cold/wet roads can be lethal.
Got a replacement now and I drive it like an old lady in the cold/wet!
Be careful guys.....
Just like you I'd had a couple of moment in it previously and thought I'd bedded myself in when I had the crash.
No traction control and cold/wet roads can be lethal.
Got a replacement now and I drive it like an old lady in the cold/wet!
Be careful guys.....
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