Trashed Esprit Turbo
Discussion
Coming home from work yesterday there is a trashed red Esprit that has left the road into the woods. It has torn the rear end off the car including wheels and wishbones. This was on the Henley road between Henley and Nettlebed (South Oxfordshire). Posting to see if it's anyone on Pistonheads and that the occupants were OK.
It was mine!
It was very wet and we were accelating with a car infront and a car behind and suddenly back end went (we were doing approx 50 - 60), corrected but hit the curb and we were flung off into the woods, according to the police we hit about four trees before coming to a standstill. Both myself and another PH'er walked away.
As noted nothing left of the car behind rear seats, roof supports all given way and driver door and footwell pushed in on me. Another driver took some pictures and I am waiting for them to be emailed.
I'm recovering at the moment, nothing broken but need crutches as my crushed leg very badly bruised also ribs where door pushed in. The other PH'er is also bruised, we were both very lucky!
Rgds
Dictys ex 89 SE
It was very wet and we were accelating with a car infront and a car behind and suddenly back end went (we were doing approx 50 - 60), corrected but hit the curb and we were flung off into the woods, according to the police we hit about four trees before coming to a standstill. Both myself and another PH'er walked away.
As noted nothing left of the car behind rear seats, roof supports all given way and driver door and footwell pushed in on me. Another driver took some pictures and I am waiting for them to be emailed.
I'm recovering at the moment, nothing broken but need crutches as my crushed leg very badly bruised also ribs where door pushed in. The other PH'er is also bruised, we were both very lucky!
Rgds
Dictys ex 89 SE
I'm glad you're OK, Dictys.
This sort of puts into perspective the other thread (Top Speed) that is being discussed on the UK list right now. Most people are talking about driving 2.5 to almost 3 times the speed you were going (and on public roads!). If you had been going that fast, you probably wouldn't be here to tell us about your misfortune.
A guy we met at one of our recent car shows here in Florida just totaled his new Enzo after going 150mph on a public road. Someone up ahead decided to change lanes leaving him with nowhere to go but against the wall. Luckily for him, he's OK. Cars can be replaced. In fact, he's already ordered another Enzo!
This sort of puts into perspective the other thread (Top Speed) that is being discussed on the UK list right now. Most people are talking about driving 2.5 to almost 3 times the speed you were going (and on public roads!). If you had been going that fast, you probably wouldn't be here to tell us about your misfortune.
A guy we met at one of our recent car shows here in Florida just totaled his new Enzo after going 150mph on a public road. Someone up ahead decided to change lanes leaving him with nowhere to go but against the wall. Luckily for him, he's OK. Cars can be replaced. In fact, he's already ordered another Enzo!
karlfranz said:
A guy we met at one of our recent car shows here in Florida just totaled his new Enzo after going 150mph on a public road. Someone up ahead decided to change lanes leaving him with nowhere to go but against the wall. Luckily for him, he's OK. Cars can be replaced. In fact, he's already ordered another Enzo!
It's morons like this that make the rest of us look bad. What an A$$hole!
I can't recall ever seeing anyone pass a bystander at 150. While I do drive fast on public roads, playing with bystanders present is not allowed. Minnesota traffic is a bit different than Florida, we have less people, more important we have less unpredictable retired old people from what my insurance agent tells me. I can't ever recall driving more than a few minutes in Florida without comming across another driver. How does one get a chance to do 150?.
Didn't that guy that was illegally importing Elise's also crash while racing in Florida?
I involve others from time to time but they are fellow drivers whose actions are a little more predictable than plain old commuters.
Dictys, were you in 2nd with high boost or just shifted to 3rd when the crash occured? Just curious.
I recall Opie got sideways while accelerating behind Sanj a few years ago in wet conditions. He had on those comp Toyo's with just a couple of rain grooves that made it real slippery. Almost sounds similar down to the back end breaking loose while accelerating. Except Opie did not have the woods to contend with, just curbs.
Calvin
>> Edited by cnh1990 on Monday 1st December 18:59
Didn't that guy that was illegally importing Elise's also crash while racing in Florida?
I involve others from time to time but they are fellow drivers whose actions are a little more predictable than plain old commuters.
Dictys, were you in 2nd with high boost or just shifted to 3rd when the crash occured? Just curious.
I recall Opie got sideways while accelerating behind Sanj a few years ago in wet conditions. He had on those comp Toyo's with just a couple of rain grooves that made it real slippery. Almost sounds similar down to the back end breaking loose while accelerating. Except Opie did not have the woods to contend with, just curbs.
Calvin
>> Edited by cnh1990 on Monday 1st December 18:59
I'm very glad you guys are OK.
I agree with the rest of you in that driving REAL fast on public roads is not wise. More to the point its damm STUPID!! I learned my lesson over 20 years ago in my Europa. Thinking I was Mario Andretti I totaled my car. I was thoroughly chastized by the Lotus community of that day for being stupid. Today, I have an Esprit restoration project and when it is finished I will take it to Memphis Motorsport Park and drive it real fast in a safe environment. There is NO reason to drive real fast on public roads with all the motorsport parks around the country. You may have to drive a few hours to get there but its better than killing yourself or an innocent person. Many of the parks are open once/month to car clubs and people that have fast exotic automobiles. Many times they have mini driving schools and other educational events for those who have not had training from a professional driving school. An Esprit will never show her true potential on a public road....respect the Esprit for what she can do and take it to a professionally run and maintained race track.
My 2 cents worth
louis
1983 Turbo
I agree with the rest of you in that driving REAL fast on public roads is not wise. More to the point its damm STUPID!! I learned my lesson over 20 years ago in my Europa. Thinking I was Mario Andretti I totaled my car. I was thoroughly chastized by the Lotus community of that day for being stupid. Today, I have an Esprit restoration project and when it is finished I will take it to Memphis Motorsport Park and drive it real fast in a safe environment. There is NO reason to drive real fast on public roads with all the motorsport parks around the country. You may have to drive a few hours to get there but its better than killing yourself or an innocent person. Many of the parks are open once/month to car clubs and people that have fast exotic automobiles. Many times they have mini driving schools and other educational events for those who have not had training from a professional driving school. An Esprit will never show her true potential on a public road....respect the Esprit for what she can do and take it to a professionally run and maintained race track.
My 2 cents worth
louis
1983 Turbo
Dictys,
Just read your posting and am extremely sorry to hear that. Very happy to hear that you and your friend are okay. Esprits can be replaced, people can not.
The very best of wishes to you and your friend for a fast recovery and a fast insurance payoff so that you can get an even better Esprit soon.
Roy N.
You were very lucky to walk away from that one!
Hope you are OK. It kinda brings home how we have to treat these in the wet.
When you are up and running again and your insurance coughs up, give me a shout and I will help you look for a new one. Might even be able to take you to look at a couple.
Get better soon!
Dave Walters
Hope you are OK. It kinda brings home how we have to treat these in the wet.
When you are up and running again and your insurance coughs up, give me a shout and I will help you look for a new one. Might even be able to take you to look at a couple.
Get better soon!
Dave Walters
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