Well, I know it's not pretty, but here's the story. I'll make it short, mainly because I don't really want to talk about it all that much.
So, they were having a track day at Seekonk Speedway. I'd never done any type of event like this before. I've actually never done any kind of racing besides drag and autox.
Well, long story short, I got a little overconfident for a course I knew nothing about, and especially since I was on street tires (R compound wasn't allowed). I won the first heat easily over an eclipse GS. On heat 2, I was against an STi. I came out of the turn hard, and got on the gas too soon. The rear started fading out, but it wasn't anything I hadn't delt with before. Before I knew it, the rear was coming around a little more than I would have liked. I stayed on the gas, and countersteered to correct. Well, once the rears caught traction again, it swung the rear around faster than I had anticipated, sending the car sideways right into the wall.
Not a good day, to say the least. The car is pretty much totalled. The chassis is twisted at the rear driver side strut housing. I haven't really decided what to do with it yet, but I'll probably be parting it out and swapping the motor and tranny into another one.
So, I must apologize to the entire MR2 community for becoming somebody I hoped I would never be, an MR2 killer. I have always read stories on the forums about people totalling their MR2's, mainly because they didn't understand the car and nor respect how unforgiving it can really be. I always told myself I'd never be one of those people. I'd never drive beyond my limits.
Well, I had a rude awakening. It's a tough way to learn a lesson in handling, but I must say, if anything, I did definately learn a few things about my car.
The MR2 is a unique car, with unique handling characteristics. When driven properly, it can keep up with the most high end automobiles. But when the driver makes a mistake, it is a brutally unforgiving vehicle. I'm ashamed to say I learned that the hard way.
So, in closing, I apologize for taking another number off the running MR2 list. But if anything, I hope some other MR2 owners can learn something from my mistake. The MR2 is not a vehicle to be taken lightly, and should only be driven to its limits in a track environment. Had this happened on the street, the consequences would most likely have been much more severe.
Sorry again guys,
-Frank
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"It's hard to drive at your limit, but it's harder to know where it is." -Sterling Moss
sorry to hear about that, it was a very nice car, too bad it has to join the exotic wreck list.
lucky you are ok, thats the most important part. but what ever you do dont buy a motorbike.
your crazy....
seeing that just makes me wona slow down big time...
was that your 1st mr2?
.i bet your pinching your self wishing it never happened and it was a dream, f
those pics made me sad.
Sorry to hear that. I have my MR2 for one week and love it like a new born child. You spend a lot of quality time with your baby and it is a big loss for you. good thing that you OK and you will get your self something better. never to late to learn, and I take your advise. Thanks.
If you decide to part out , then I need left mirror( just glass) , wiper switch assembly from steering column, the plastic cover under dashboard on the left of the cloche pedal(I miss one)and accelerator cable if it still soft, my gas pedal becoming hard to push. But I'm not shore if it will fit N/A.
Damn Frank! I hate it for ya... at least you were at the track , not the street and you weren't hurt. Hopefully you'll find a good shell for cheap and do the swap...God Speed
DAMN!! sorry to hear this from you bro.. i exactly know how you feel, i guess you know my story too, but lucky for me i have cosmetic damages only.. how much horses you got on that engine anyway?
and if you are parting out your car i might be interested on your dashboard and headlight switch lever/turn signal lever/wiper switch lever.. let me know...
Glad you're ok, man. That totally sucks. At least it went out doing what it was meant to be doing. You'll be back, I'm sure. Add me to the list if you're parting out.
I am glad you are OK man , but dont worry you will get your hands on another MR2 .And remember this is just a car your life is more valuable. A car is a car but i know it hurts ...but at least you are ok. Now you can use your signature as a reminder...."It's hard to drive at your limit, but it's harder to know where it is."
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1-Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding
2-When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down
3-The Guinness World Book of records shows the people that have come the closest to the skills of Chuck Norris.
Frank ... you are okay? That's all that really matters.
No matter how much we love our MR2s, they are still just an assortment of metals, platics and fluids. It can all be replaced. You are harder to come by.
I really appreciate the mature tone of your post. You obviously have a very realistic and reasonable perspective on everything that happened.
Its a shame when a good car dies. I wouldnt be surprised if you just stared at it for a while after it happened either. Good to know you are ok. I weep for you.
Frank ... you are okay? That's all that really matters.
No matter how much we love our MR2s, they are still just an assortment of metals, platics and fluids. It can all be replaced. You are harder to come by.
I really appreciate the mature tone of your post. You obviously have a very realistic and reasonable perspective on everything that happened.
Again, glad you are okay.
Yea Jeff, I'm fine. I was obviously wearing my helmet, and the air bag went off. The only real damage my body took was on my hip, where I must have banged the armrest on the door pretty hard. I have a pretty enormous bruise there now. It's a beautiful assortment of purples and blues. Not a pretty sight.
Other than that, the only thing damaged was my ego!
Thanks for all your support guys, and as far as what I'm doing with the car, I'm pretty sure I'll be parting it, but give me a little bit to figure it all out first. As soon as I decide, I promise I'll make a post about what's for sale.
-Frank
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"It's hard to drive at your limit, but it's harder to know where it is." -Sterling Moss
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"It's hard to drive at your limit, but it's harder to know where it is."
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