Killer Whale in Portland

[KneeScraper]

So what happened to those guys? I just saw them hitting walls on the front straight with a volvo, but didn't see why. That was my favorite car. I would like to know how to get a hold of them so they can tell me how the got that motor to stay together. They would have finished really well.

[Guest weezilusa]

So what happened to those guys? I just saw them hitting walls on the front straight with a volvo, but didn't see why. That was my favorite car. I would like to know how to get a hold of them so they can tell me how the got that motor to stay together. They would have finished really well.

I will go ahead an chime in here as I was driving the #98 Volvo when this happened. With the driver that they had in the car, they would not have finished well at all. Here is what happened from my point of view...

Came out of 12 tucked in tight behind the 331 Miata which had passed me on the back straight under yellow. As I shifted into 4th gear really started to pull on him, and so I moved to the right to get around him... As soon as I pull out to the right, I see the killer whale directly in front of me (directly in middle of track), and before I was able to judge our difference in speed, was already to him and hit him from the rear. He was driving directly down the middle of the front straight at probably ~30mph, Our car isn't super fast, but I was already well into 4th gear, probably going 90+. I believe after I hit him, he hit the miata in the passenger door, and I slid sideways for about 30 yards before coming to a rest against the wall.

Talking with the driver after the incident, he remarked that he had just radioed in saying that "things were getting really crazy out there" about half a lap back, and that he had "lifted" to let other cars by on the front straight. Looking at their fast lap (faster than ours), the car was so far off race pace that it was a large hazard out there. After talking with other drivers who were in the pits or driving behind us when this happened, this was confirmed.

If he was even going maybe 15-20mph slower than I was, there is no way that this much damage would have been caused to my car:

ALL of that is from hitting the killer whale, as when I came to a rest against the wall it was just a little bump and it didn't even break my lights or push in my bumper shocks (which the bumper must have gone under the back of the whale.

Am I sorry it happened? Yes, absolutely, I liked that car and am sad to see any accidents on the track... Especially when I'm driving a car that I've spent countless hours of blood sweat and tears preparing... But if your driver is so uncomfortable out there, maybe they shouldn't still be out there on the track.

[Team Infiniti]

While that totally sucks (and I was not there to see or say for real), the pic does not appear to reflect a 60mph collision.

[Guest shoshark]

So what happened to those guys? I just saw them hitting walls on the front straight with a volvo, but didn't see why. That was my favorite car. I would like to know how to get a hold of them so they can tell me how the got that motor to stay together. They would have finished really well.

From what they told me, they had an engine failure on the straight and were traveling at slow rate of speed and the Volvo Wagon rear ended the killer whale.... There was a Miata involved too that the passenger side door was ripped off or at least they had to take it off.

[Guest weezilusa]

This was the damage shot from the side, after spending about 15 min with a big sledge hammer just trying to get the fender back far enough to get it on the trailer. folded the front suspension under on that side, the strut tower is about 2" further back from where it was, and about 1" further in, the wheel is against the back edge of the fender, pushed back probably close to 6".

[Guest posnova]

While that totally sucks (and I was not there to see or say for real), the pic does not appear to reflect a 60mph collision.

You ought to see the Whale 8-|.

That's a Volvo Wagon -- an impenetrable mass of iron. What looks horrible to the owners of the #98 Volvo, is almost cosmetic compared to the #50 Killer Whale.

The stewards saw the incident clear-as-day from the tower, as did radio control. Appropriate action was taken in the form of discussions.

What I would like to give great congratulations to, was all of our competitors respecting the safety crew's work and staying in their paddocks behind the wall even though the incident was directly in front of them. I'd also like to give thanks and congratulations to the wonderful safety workers at the event, that responded, cleaned up, and cleared the incident within 13 minutes, and allowed you all to continue racing to the green flag. We thank the competitors once again for the use of many of your push brooms. The call was made to clean it up by hand, as it would've been race-ending if we had to wait for and pull out the sweeper truck with just 45 minutes remaining in the race.

The fairness and accuracy of the heat-of-the-moment report I got from #50 does not correlate with what I saw. Therefore, I am certain after the driver and team of #50 has had some time to review the available materials, that their report has already been revised. I didn't get to talk with all of them before they left the track Sunday morning. The report from the #98 volvo team does seem accurate, in my opinion, and does correlate with what I saw.

[Guest weezilusa]

While that totally sucks (and I was not there to see or say for real), the pic does not appear to reflect a 60mph collision.

Speeds are all a total estimate, I'm probably mis judging to a certain degree at least... I do know that when I shift into 4th, I'm already at around 5k rpm... I'll do the math to what it worked out to, but seems like I could easily have been doubling his speed.

[ABR-Glen]

Came out of 12 tucked in tight behind the 331 Miata which had passed me on the back straight under yellow. As I shifted into 4th gear really started to pull on him, and so I moved to the right to get around him... As soon as I pull out to the right, I see the killer whale directly in front of me (directly in middle of track), and before I was able to judge our difference in speed, was already to him and hit him from the rear. He was driving directly down the middle of the front straight at probably ~30mph,

Am I sorry it happened? Yes, absolutely, I liked that car and am sad to see any accidents on the track... Especially when I'm driving a car that I've spent countless hours of blood sweat and tears preparing... But if your driver is so uncomfortable out there, maybe they shouldn't still be out there on the track.

I wasn't there, but based on your own description of the incident I think you should reconsider your personal accountability. It reads as if you feel it's his fault for being in your way and he doesn't belong out there. You should be aware that drivers with no prior experience in that car, on that track, or even racing at all may join the race at any time. Personally, I would be embarassed to admit if I had rear ended another car in the middle of a straightaway.

[Guest madfaber]

I wasn't there, but based on your own description of the incident I think you should reconsider your personal accountability. It reads as if you feel it's his fault for being in your way and he doesn't belong out there. You should consider that drivers with no prior experience in that car, on that track, or even racing at all may jopin the race at any time. Personally, I would be embarassed to admit if I had rear ended another car in the middle of a straightaway.

Well I dont think I would be expecting a car to be doing 1/3 race speeds down the front straight either, nothing to be embarassed about. And this is a race so if you cant take the heat get out of the kitchen, by that I mean dont be a rolling chicane But was the whale car having engine problems or driver problems??

[Guest posnova]

Talking with the driver after the incident, he remarked that he had just radioed in saying that "things were getting really crazy out there" about half a lap back, and that he had "lifted" to let other cars by on the front straight. Looking at their fast lap (faster than ours), the car was so far off race pace that it was a large hazard out there. After talking with other drivers who were in the pits or driving behind us when this happened, this was confirmed.

You are entitled to your opinion about the hazard of other vehicles, but the data does not support the hypothesis that the vehicle was *that* slow around the track. By the same reasoning, it could have been the Chevette or one of the gaggle of 280Z's, which were always that slow. (perhaps more predictable as such).

Pre-incident average lap time for #50 (that is, the driver from lap 225 to 281) is 1:49.3. Average lap time of the driver involved in incident is 2:00.8. Slower, yes. If it were daylight I'm certain the blue with yellow stripe passing/slow vehicle flag would have been applied... but it was night and that flag is not in use at night.

We don't have telemetry data for all vehicles to say what speeds or how much lifting on the front was or was not done. Perhaps you do? Data acquisition anyone? At any rate, we trust our corner workers fully, and no report of slow vehicle regarding the incident vehicle was made.

I am glad that you did have an opportunity to discuss the incident between drivers though. I hope that the conversation brought at least some resolution, if not some mutual diasgreement, which would be expected.

[Guest weezilusa]

You are entitled to your opinion about the hazard of other vehicles, but the data does not support the hypothesis that the vehicle was *that* slow around the track. By the same reasoning, it could have been the Chevette or one of the gaggle of 280Z's, which were always that slow. (perhaps more predictable as such).

Pre-incident average lap time for #50 (that is, the driver from lap 225 to 281) is 1:49.3. Average lap time of the driver involved in incident is 2:00.8. Slower, yes. If it were daylight I'm certain the blue with yellow stripe passing/slow vehicle flag would have been applied... but it was night and that flag is not in use at night.

We don't have telemetry data for all vehicles to say what speeds or how much lifting on the front was or was not done. Perhaps you do? Data acquisition anyone? At any rate, we trust our corner workers fully, and no report of slow vehicle regarding the incident vehicle was made.

I am glad that you did have an opportunity to discuss the incident between drivers though. I hope that the conversation brought at least some resolution, if not some mutual diasgreement, which would be expected.

Sorry my wording was confusing there... I wasn't sure what his lap times prior to the incident were, I was simply alluding to the fact that from overall laptimes of the day their car was capable of setting good lap times, but it seems like their times must have fallen off considerably if they were going as slow as they were. After talking to the driver, my general impression was that he was getting very intimidated out there and was not comfortable.

edit:

To clarify further... Their car must have been very far off of their own race pace, as they were setting good lap times prior. From talking with the driver after the incident, he did not mention mechanical failures at all, so it may have been either or a combination of both.

[Team Infiniti]

Wow that second volvo pic shows how much can be missed by sitting behind a computer rather then being in the stands, whatever caused this it was definitely a hard hit close to the estimated 60mph differential.

[Guest weezilusa]

If I'm doing my math correctly here:

5k rpm

1:1 4th Gear

4.10 Rear End Ratio

25" Rolling Diameter

~91mph... The car has never had a speedo in it so thats the best I can judge how fast I was going.

[Ron_e]

I wasn't there, but based on your own description of the incident I think you should reconsider your personal accountability. It reads as if you feel it's his fault for being in your way and he doesn't belong out there. You should be aware that drivers with no prior experience in that car, on that track, or even racing at all may join the race at any time. Personally, I would be embarassed to admit if I had rear ended another car in the middle of a straightaway.

I agree, at no time is it likely ever only one party's fault but things also happen. I was driving our car when just coming on to the back straight the engine stumbled for a good ten seconds just when everybody else would be accelerating. When it happened on the second lap I figured it must be low on fuel even though it shouldn't have been. We were shocked to learn that we dropped from our usual ~6 gal/hr to ~9 gal/hr fuel consumption, I guess altitude difference and Portland is mostly WOT. On the second stumble I radioed in that I am coming for fuel NOW because this is too dangerous even though it was fine around the rest of the track.

[JustinParcher]

To add additional info to those contemplating how hard of a hit this was- fans were able to hear the impact from the chicane grandstand on the inside of turns 1+2, at the other end of the straight from where this happened. Second, the killer whale was shortened at least a foot in the back, had significant twist from left to right side on the end, and was so arched front to back that it was difficult to get it onto a trailer WITH a winch. They were trying to pry things out of the way just to get it up the ramps onto the flatbed. It's the most impact damage I've seen to a a crapcan in person, that's for sure.

[KLR142]

I wasn't there, but based on your own description of the incident I think you should reconsider your personal accountability. It reads as if you feel it's his fault for being in your way and he doesn't belong out there. You should be aware that drivers with no prior experience in that car, on that track, or even racing at all may join the race at any time. Personally, I would be embarassed to admit if I had rear ended another car in the middle of a straightaway.

This was towards the end of the race, with little time left in a 12hr race at night. There was a caution leading up to the front straight and there was a pack of cars ready to race to the finish. One car moved out of part of that pack to make a pass and all of a sudden a car is directly in front. If it wasn't in the last hour of the race, if the cars weren't tightly packed and if it wasn't night time, yes, I too would be embarrassed to hit a car on the straightaway. In the circumstances, there were many cars packed into one spot and I'm sure some of them had to swerve to get around the Whale and were likely also blocking the view of the Whale in the Volvo's visibility range.

I assume.

I'm just saying, it was a crappy situation that nobody wanted or tried to create. It happened, and there wasn't much that could, or can now, be done.

[BrianM]

I am familiar with the Whale's driver; we cross paths at events occasionally. I find it very hard to belive the Whale's driver was intimidated. He is virtually fearless behind the wheel.

[Guest posnova]

I hope the car is rebuilt, or a different car is built, and they come join us again. I can understand some hard feelings, but don't let that get in the way of having great fun! The Killer Whale has always been competitive, and was at best in 2nd place Saturday, and slowly slipped to around 10th when the incident happened. I'm not sure if that's a driver thing, or a fuel consumption thing, but it was always a competitor to be respected.

Its life wasn't without issue though. In April this year, it suffered a recurring mechanical issue that would end up with it stalled on the outside of turn 6, almost every lap around. Repeated efforts to remedy the issue were unsuccessful, but I do think they finally got it figured out.

Here's to hoping the Killer Whale returns, in some form or another.

[PeteN95]

Drafting is dangerous because you can't see what is in front of you, only the vehicle you are following and you are going very fast. At a Chumpcar race it is VERY dangerous because of the variation in vehicles and drivers! Glad no one was hurt! We missed it because we were on the way back from Seattle with a new engine.

[Spoonwacker]

I've had a lot of fun racing the Killer Whale in all of the events we've participated in. The racing was usually pretty close, and this time around I chased down their car while quoting Captain Ahab ("Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee!"). I hope they get out there again - I like Moby penis. But apparently weezil is the one who should be wearing the Ahab badge this week

[Guest VICTORYRACING]

It has ALWAYS been rule of thumb in racing... that it is up to the overtaking car to make a clear and safe pass! sounds like to me he was not driving pass his front bumper!!! But of course knowing that ALL here are PAID professional drivers I'm sure that was not the case...

[daily driver]

Am I sorry it happened? Yes, absolutely, I liked that car and am sad to see any accidents on the track... Especially when I'm driving a car that I've spent countless hours of blood sweat and tears preparing... But if your driver is so uncomfortable out there, maybe they shouldn't still be out there on the track.

What about their car that YOU hit? They spent countless hours as well. Not likely they will defend themselves here but I would not lay all the blame on them. I am sure it was mechanical issues that caused them to be slow at that moment. You should have looked down the field before you tucked behind the miata...just sayin'!

[Guest NSFW]

Killer Whale was pretty closely matched to our car in April, and I really enjoyed running a few laps close together. This year our car was significantly faster (best lap went from 1:45 down to 1:40) but it took hard work to catch up to them, and while I was able to pass them, I still wasn't able to stay in front of them, and eventually they got away from me. I have a lot of respect for that car and whoever was driving it when I was out there.

I hope both teams can get new cars ready in time for April's races.

[Andrew D Johnson]

You ought to see the Whale 8-|.

That's a Volvo Wagon -- an impenetrable mass of iron. What looks horrible to the owners of the #98 Volvo, is almost cosmetic compared to the #50 Killer Whale.

In top gear: This was a cheap car challenge, and Clarkson was driving a Volvo 760 GLE V6.

The presenters had to crash their cars at 30mph into a stationary concrete wall. 10 points were lost if the presenter dies, 5 for each broken bone and 1 for each blood injury. The only injury was done to Jeremy, later revealed by Hammond with an X-ray, who broke his thumb. Jeremy had crashed at about 40mph because his speedometer was broken and he incorrectly guessed how fast 30 mph was.

Although Clarkson's thumb was broken, the car was not.

[Ogren-Engineering]

Keep your eyes up ,running into a stopped car is the fault of the approaching car.