CRUNCH! I crashed her on the track, SAD DAY - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

rebel1 · 21st June 2004, 03:34

Last weekend I was at time trialing with EMRA at Beaver run. Great track but the day went south late oin the day. I crashed my baby.

During the last run group I was coming into the hairpin before the front straight and lost the rear. I tried with all my might to correct it but once I went off track I was unable to get the tires to bite. I Went sideways into the grass before the turn, came back accross the track and managed to straighten her out, only to go head on into a tire wall. All in all I traveled 600+ feet before impact.

The tire wall saved my butt! It absorbed most of the impact. As a result the air bags did not deploy. When I spun I estimate I was going 110+. When I hit I estimate I was going 60+. I walked away, in fact I drove away.

When I hit the tires collapsed absorbing most of the impact. The rear of the car came up two or three feet. Then car was pushed backwards. As the rear end came to the ground the suspension compressed causing the exhaust tips to become impacted with soil. The Armcore behind the wall was flattened.

All in all she held up very well. The worst part is that just a month before I was sandwiched between two cars while sitting at a light. I got the car out of the shop two days before and she looked great!

The guy who did the repairs is a real artist. If any one needs a guy in Danbury let me know. He's a restoration specialist. He does all high end stuff, DB7's etc. He has a couple of frame off Jags there now. I was so impressed I brought my E34 in for a make over.

Anyway, Here are some pictures of my car. I have decided to retire her from the track. It's a shame really. Although not the ideal track car I could run with any of the emra boys. I loved taking her there. I was turning times as good as M3's and well set up mustangs.The good news is I have bought Dave Zechausens track car. Not BMW but a great car nontheless.

M Macht · 21st June 2004, 03:45

Ouch! Hopefully you will get her back on the street soon. All in all, it doesn't look too bad. Glad to hear you got through it otherwise unscathed.

BmwNut · 21st June 2004, 04:48

So sorry for you! Looks like she held up well enough, and glad you are ok. Things sure do happen fast at 110+, and it is great to see that those speeds were on the track and not elsewhere. Best of luck getting her repaired and back on the road ASAP.

alsahher · 21st June 2004, 05:35

sorry to hear that ,, i hope u will have it fixed soon.. is the suspension involved in the crash .. seems the car leaning on its side

TCM · 21st June 2004, 05:43

Sorry to hear about the accident, but I am amazed at how well the car took the hit at that speed. While there is pretty extensive damage, it was nothing like I was expecting to see while opening the attachements. I guess the tire wall did its job well. Hopefully, you will have the M5 back on the road in no time and congratulations on purchasing Dave's track car.

doug · 21st June 2004, 05:45

Ouch, sorry to hear that... really bites. Good luck w/ the repairs. BTW, is it the photo, or are your front tires pretty thin on tread-- or is that how Pilot Cups are supposed to look (never saw them before)?

Roy · 21st June 2004, 06:50

sorry to see that ,but glad your okay

Black M5 · 21st June 2004, 07:52

Sorry to hear for that you crashed but im glad you are OK. The damage to car is small so hopefully she will be out of the workshop in no time.

Mako5 · 21st June 2004, 07:53

Ow, sorry to see that. Bit fortunately no one was hurt. I am very interested about your body shop. Could you give the name and contact? Do you think they would do minor repairs? I scratched the bumper cover andhace some small dents I need repaired.

freshyip · 21st June 2004, 08:07

HI sorry to hear that but i am sure it will do just as well once you got it repaired. question....what tyres you using in the 1st picture?