View Full Version : Be SAFE out there!!! Just a reminder... cobras can be deadly.
This came across FB the other day, very happy to hear the driver appears to be making a recovery. Just a reminder to keep the right foot in check, if you read this post he built his car three years ago and admits the car got away from him two blocks from his house on cold tires.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=184853&d=1684898089
toadster
05-24-2023, 12:03 AM
saw that on facebook, pretty gnarly... very lucky to have survived
there's something about blowers and cobras that results in this (or worse)
MB750
05-24-2023, 06:24 AM
Regardless of the power, why was he driving in a way that could even remotely lead to that result in a residential area?
saw that on facebook, pretty gnarly... very lucky to have survived
there's something about blowers and cobras that results in this (or worse)
Wait until you get some miles on your car, blower or just a 302 these cars can get away from you quickly. Takes some discipline to respect the right foot. I am just glad this guy was ok could have been a much worse outcome.
AtlantaCobra
05-24-2023, 09:24 AM
Regardless of the power, why was he driving in a way that could even remotely lead to that result in a residential area?
I'm sure it wasn't his plan to lose control. We've all "goosed it", even in residential areas. The point is, be careful, not "this guy probably deserved it"!
MB750
05-24-2023, 09:47 AM
I'm sure it wasn't his plan to lose control. We've all "goosed it", even in residential areas. The point is, be careful, not "this guy probably deserved it"!
I'm not saying he deserved it either, even if my reply might imply it. I'm sorry he got hurt, his car is wrecked, and he's lucky to be alive.
What I'm saying is to not pull that crap in a residential area. Even "goosing it" with a 500hp go-kart is asking for stuff like this. That's just stoopid. Not to mention, drive up the accident statistics for our model cars.
Hoooper
05-24-2023, 10:45 AM
Did the roll bar collapse?
JohnK
05-24-2023, 11:06 AM
Regardless of the power, why was he driving in a way that could even remotely lead to that result in a residential area?
I'm sure it wasn't his plan to lose control. We've all "goosed it", even in residential areas. The point is, be careful, not "this guy probably deserved it"!
Hehe - these sorts of discussions remind me of watching the news with my parents. Any time some unfortunate incident happens to someone, they have to find a way to blame the victim for their misfortune. If a pedestrian is struck by a car they will say "why were they crossing there!" If someone has a bad fall, "why weren't they paying attention!" On and on... :rolleyes: It's a mental defense mechanism of sorts. If they can assign blame, then they can accept that it wasn't a random accident, and that individual did something to bring this on themselves. Otherwise, they would have to come to terms with the fact that this could happen to them too. But no, they're smarter than that.
The point is, it can happen to any of us. None of us are above a momentary mental lapse that ends with the car upside-down in a ditch, so 1) always be on high alert, and 2) accept that even if you are always on high alert it can still happen to you. If you're not OK with #2, then you're not being honest with yourself about the risks of driving one of these cars.
J R Jones
05-24-2023, 11:18 AM
The "cold tire" excuse again. Does that mean he is unskilled at driving on cold tires? What are the metrics on cold vs warm tire traction? How long does it take to warm up (in a residential neighborhood).
My race car tires did warm-up during the pace lap, augmented by acceleration, braking and swerving, then they were still not full hot causing caution during the first hot lap.
After the race, the hot treads had pealed off leaving rubber streaks and "balls" behind the tires. The tires actually snapped as the tread stuck to hot pavement. Once off the track the hot tires picked-up sand and gravel that did not benefit traction in the next session.
I do not see how street tire cold/hot differentiation can compare in this example. If the safe level of temperature/traction is this discrete, I will point out my street tire temperatures are not the same in APR/MAY as they are in JUL/AUG. Another excuse?
jim
The guy admitted it was his fault he made a bad decision. The reason for this post is to just be smart when you turn the key and realize consequences happen when the right foot gets crazy. If you have any significant amount of miles driving one of these and will not admit you have done something unsafe or mashed the throttle causing a white knuckle moment I am calling you a complete liar.
mrmustang
05-24-2023, 02:59 PM
Did the roll bar collapse?
The rollbar stopped the guidewire, the guidewire ripped through the windshield assembly like a hot knife through butter, even a spec racer type rollcage would not have saved the occupants in this horrible situation. Unfortunately, it was after the same completely decapitated the driver, and partially the passenger. I've seen the videos (now taken down), they will haunt me forever.
Lots of speculation, lots of "I know someone who was there", I will not place blame, I will not describe this event further.
Two people are dead, and we need to respect their families and friends who are now grieving.
Bill S.
The rollbar stopped the guidewire, the guidewire ripped through the windshield assembly like a hot knife through butter, even a spec racer type rollcage would not have saved the occupants in this horrible situation. Unfortunately, it was after the same completely decapitated the driver, and partially the passenger. I've seen the videos (now taken down), they will haunt me forever.
Lots of speculation, lots of "I know someone who was there", I will not place blame, I will not describe this event further.
Two people are dead, and we need to respect their families and friends who are now grieving.
Bill S.
Take a look at the above pic, this guy is alive. His car flipped and he got a very ugly cut on his head.
Jeff Kleiner
05-24-2023, 03:25 PM
The rollbar stopped the guidewire, the guidewire ripped through the windshield assembly like a hot knife through butter, even a spec racer type rollcage would not have saved the occupants in this horrible situation. Unfortunately, it was after the same completely decapitated the driver, and partially the passenger. I've seen the videos (now taken down), they will haunt me forever.
Lots of speculation, lots of "I know someone who was there", I will not place blame, I will not describe this event further.
Two people are dead, and we need to respect their families and friends who are now grieving.
Bill S.
You're talking about a different accident.
Jeff
CaptB
05-24-2023, 03:29 PM
You're talking about a different accident.
Jeff
Was wondering about that!!
mrmustang
05-24-2023, 05:41 PM
You're talking about a different accident.
Jeff
Yes, I did not read the entire thread, thought it was the original out on Long Island, NY from the other day.
Sorry for the confusion and the terse response to same.
Bill S.
cob427sc
05-25-2023, 08:16 AM
I'm not convinced blaming it on the cold tire is a valid excuse. Obviously there are some traction/adhesion improvements as the tires warm up especially on race tires but I'm not sure street tires reflect a large improvement with warm up. Besides, I've been in situations where the tires have had plenty of time to warm, the car wasn't accelerating but road conditions , i.e., hydroplane on water, oil slick and the worst animal fat from a recycling truck caused all kinds of exciting response. Luckily I never completely lost it and didn't hit anything. These cars can be dangerous under any driving scenario and require your complete attention at all times! Blaming it on cold street tires just doesn't cut it.
BEAR-AvHistory
05-25-2023, 11:45 AM
I understand the tire heat thing as I run on road course tires. That said its still driver error but its not necessarily from hot dogging with the throttle. I had a driver error that lead to an OH ****!! moment when on a cold morning, 40*F, on a normal drive away from a traffic light when I released the clutch to quickly. Car jumped sideway very quickly but the correction took so no harm no foul. Still a significant increase in the heart rate.
Point is as the saying goes 'when you turn that little key the car whispers if you disrespect me I will kill you.' Thing is as I was not there & don't know what really happened I am not going to get on anyone case.
Lidodrip
05-25-2023, 12:38 PM
I give credit to the driver for sharing his story, owning the situation, and providing the sobering reminder that bad things can happen quickly. That takes a certain amount of humility which seems like a good trait for owning a Cobra.
Blitzboy54
05-25-2023, 01:26 PM
This is why I have high back seats. I'm guessing his head cracked into the roll bar.
john_nyc
05-27-2023, 11:17 AM
The rollbar stopped the guidewire, the guidewire ripped through the windshield assembly like a hot knife through butter, even a spec racer type rollcage would not have saved the occupants in this horrible situation. Unfortunately, it was after the same completely decapitated the driver, and partially the passenger. I've seen the videos (now taken down), they will haunt me forever.
Lots of speculation, lots of "I know someone who was there", I will not place blame, I will not describe this event further.
Two people are dead, and we need to respect their families and friends who are now grieving.
Bill S.
I heard the "pedestrian" turned himself in and is being charged for manslaughter. Apparently he was threatening to throw a bottle at the car and the driver avoided being hit.
GoDadGo
05-27-2023, 01:11 PM
I'm sure it wasn't his plan to lose control. We've all "goosed it", even in residential areas. The point is, be careful, not "this guy probably deserved it"!
Amen Atlanta Cobra, Amen!
mrmustang
05-27-2023, 06:40 PM
I heard the "pedestrian" turned himself in and is being charged for manslaughter. Apparently he was threatening to throw a bottle at the car and the driver avoided being hit.
I have not heard that, and I'm fairly wired up in that area. Who are your sources?
Bill S.
AC Bill
06-07-2023, 01:20 PM
Did the roll bar collapse?
I saw a picture in another site, and the roll bar was still upright, although the third leg had pulled out of the hoop, I couldn't see where a bolt was used to join them. It did hold the car up off the ground, although it's hard to tell in the one picture.
I asked him if his head injury was from hitting the roll bar, and he told me he can't remember what caused it. It could have been contact with the ground.