blow outs at high speed

[911nutter]

just reading through the indemnity / passngers issues in a previous thread, there was a point on blow outs.

i've had a blow out (rear) at 120 on a motorway (won't say where) and that was easily controlled by letting the car slow itself down to a safer speed and then apply breaks gradually.

at the sort of speeds on vmax the proposition could be entirely different, especially with a front blow out.

could anyone advise how one should handle such a situation?

[dazren]

Same as you did before IMHO.

DAZ

[jeremyc]

Wise words Daz.

Also be sure to mitigate as far as possible against the possibility of it happening by thoroughly checking your tyres before the event:
- correct pressures
- no cuts or damage to tread or tyrewall (inside and out)
- no embedded foreign objects (stones, glass, nails).

Also keep a close eye on the tyres during the day - it is not unknown for punctures to be picked up during VMax.

Most importantly: don't worry too much - make sure you enjoy it safely.

[craigw]

BY THE WAY, HAVING TRACK SWEPT FRIDAY OR SATURDAY NIGHT

[speedychrissie]

i think that brings up quite an important point:

although it seems that a large proportion of the Vmax goers are regulars who have gone before, isnt it about time there was a thread about what checks to do/what to bring before sunday? or has that been done in emails already?

chris

[craigw]

ALL DRIVERS HAVE BEEN EMAILED THAT INFO.

[speedychrissie]

craigw said:

ALL DRIVERS HAVE BEEN EMAILED THAT INFO.

i guess i should have trusted the fact that you know what you are doing.

chris

[craigw]

[911nutter]

craigw said:

ALL DRIVERS HAVE BEEN EMAILED THAT INFO.

craig,

this is what you said in my email....

craig said:

There will be a burger van there throughout the day, please dress appropriately also, even in summer it can get cold there.

[911nutter]

clearly my attempt at being humourous has failed spectacularly.

i won't do it again.

[craigw]

ha, like it!

[joust]

I reiterate the advice given. Check your tyres at each "natural" stop. I picked up a screw at a VMAX and therefore decided not to do any more runs for that very reason.

Common sense and frequent checks will mean you get home.

J

[GuyR]

dazren said:

Same as you did before IMHO. DAZ

If you did that, especially if it was near the timing beam at 180mph+, then your slow controlled deceleration might avoid a spin, but might result in you being stopped by the bank of earth at the end......

[steve f]

i have bought some solid tyres so i cant get a blowout

[Rods]

craigw said:

BY THE WAY, HAVING TRACK SWEPT FRIDAY OR SATURDAY NIGHT

Well done that man

[Adamt]

GuyR said:

dazren said: Same as you did before IMHO. DAZ If you did that, especially if it was near the timing beam at 180mph+, then your slow controlled deceleration might avoid a spin, but might result in you being stopped by the bank of earth at the end......

Very true.

If a blowout occurs, get the clutch in asap. And then pray...

all the best
adam

[dazren]

Adamt said:

Very true. If a blowout occurs, get the clutch in asap. And then pray... all the best adam

Good point to raise. If following a blow out your car does start spinning, dip the clutch and put the gearstick in neutral, to protect the engine.

DAZ

[Davey S1]

dazren said:

Adamt said: Very true. If a blowout occurs, get the clutch in asap. And then pray... all the best adam Good point to raise. If following a blow out your car does start spinning, dip the clutch and put the gearstick in neutral, to protect the engine. DAZ

And brake as well.

[GuyR]

If you spin at 180mph, it won't be the engine you'll be worrying about..........

[Muncher]

Gazboy said:

GuyR said: If you spin at 180mph, it won't be the engine you'll be worrying about.......... Shreddies?

Soiled I imagine.