The amount of analysis regarding the 16 seconds of video is hilarious.
Remember: it's LeMons. There are no rules on the track, aside from knowing that if you make contact, you'll penalized. No one has the right of way, no one "has the line".
No one should've done anything, as no one can count on other drivers seeing you or knowing what to do if they do.
As someone who lives in Fairfield County and routinely travels to Milford, I can attest to this being the norm for Milford cops.
I've witnessed them drag-racing each other at night, and blowing through red lights while doing so. I've seen this in Bridgeport as well, and they currently have a case/investigation involving a drunk officer who smashed into a parked car- which the supervising lieutenant tried to cover-up.
At last! A driver who cusses --when I see these videos, I'm always surprised that the drivers may grunt or squeak but none of them seem to cuss a blue streak, which is what I would do. And do, in fact, do when I'm driving alone.
I call it "Car Tourette's"-- you hear the damnedest foul words coming out of your mouth very loudly--sometimes I even surprise myself. So, nothing to apologize for, Dude. I thought you were rather restrained, under the circumstances.
That picture is hilarious. The Bee looks like a cartoon car, grinning at us in spite of his smooshed up face.
And is that Ian Anderson in the red shoes? Shouldn't he be back in Scotland with his salmon farm and his Tull royalties?
Whoever he is, he's not too old to rock--and roll.
If there was someone behind the Honda guys, there wasn't much else they could have done - four wheels off, a bumper through their trunklid, or PITting the at-fault driver... well, I don't blame him.
(If there wasn't anyone on his arse, he should've let off, of course, but it's likely that he couldn't and was hoping the 'B pilot woke up.)
I think its one of those things where the Honda driver never thought the B driver would come over that far and make contact. Yeah, I guess the Honda driver could have slammed on the brakes but the B driver has a responsibility to the other cars around him.
Since there was no one under the B, there was no reason to swing way out to make the left hander. The Honda driver has as much right to the track and a racing line as anyone else.
@Uncle Bo: He absolutely thought the guy was coming over that far... look at 0:05 through 0:11 & you'll see how the Honda's line changes from having plenty of track off to the right, to nearly having one set of wheels in the dirt. THEN, that's when he comes back to the left.... back, and to the left... back, and to the left.
Not saying that he knew he was going to take out the Bee, but why - at that particular point - would one make the decision to swerve left without backing off the throttle a hair, when it's really, really obvious that contact would be made?
But then again, there's a lot of factors & disctractions involved that we can't see or experience through the eyes of the camera, so it's likely this is just one of those unfortunate incidents than can occur in any race.
The Honda went as far right as he could, until his right tires were in the dirt. That is what caused the left-right movement.
We have the luxury of watching the video over and over, analyzing every second, and criticizing the actions of both drivers..... drivers who did not have the same luxuries as we do. That's why race drivers need to follow certain rules of decorum; they do not have the time to endlessly analyze every moment of competition.
Yes, there are many factors and distractions present, but it was one major mistake that caused this incident. Fortunately, no one paid a big price for that mistake. Hopefully it was "lesson learned" for all involved.
The footage from this posting, as well as the MGB that went flying off into the grass shows that the speeds have increased at this venue. It also looks like the "Racecar" (RX-7, E30, Miata, Honda) is dominating over the "LeMons" cars.
@UDMan: It also looks like the "Racecar" (RX-7, E30, Miata, Honda) is dominating over the "LeMons" cars.
I suspect that's a main reason that only half the prize money is based on laps completed. There's no way to keep a race from being about racing, but letting slower entrants have a chance at glory keeps the lemons coming.
@UDMan: Well, if you can get a "racecar" for under $500, then it is a LeMons Car.
There were tons of fast e30s, miatas and RX-7s, but you know what? No one even pays attention too them. They all blend together. It's the really crappy cars with good themes that people appreciate.
Most of the time the "serious" guys in the e30s end up getting all frustrated anyways, as they're (inexplicably) expecting competent driving and fair officiating...definitely not the case at LeMons.
Accidents like this is why, even when the roads are empty I'm always careful to keep my speeds fairly close to the limit. On the freeway it's a totally different story, but with cross streets and the like it can be really hard to judge a car's speed.
One year when had a summer job I had to be at a work site around six in the morning. Just about every morning the sheriff’s patrol would pass me with his lights flashing going way over the speed limit and driving like a madman. He would tailgate and hit some kind of horn if you didn’t give the right away immediately. Several miles down the road I would see his car parked at a restaurant. I was amazed that that restaurant had that much trouble at 5:45 AM just about every morning.
Hard to believe they haven't grounded the camera-car pilot who was going 'only' 65-70 with no light bar-in a 40.
From the evidence here, it's pretty obvious that the two cops were either racing to the nearest Dunkin' Donuts, or just having some good old we-can-do-this-'cause-we're-cops fun. Sad.
@that ain't the way to have fun, son: In CT it is illegal. I have been ticketed for it. Also, I know this road, drive on it all the time. It may be a "40" but its usually so busy you cant break 30.
@Darrone: So, if some dumb-ass is going say, 25 in the left lane of a 40 MPH road, it's illegal to pass them.
Genius.
NW Oregon freeways are jammed at least in part because of the locals getting on, getting up to 45 while heading directly for the left lane, then sitting there.
Police generally aren't very well trained in driving, much less high speed pursuit. There are an awful lot of accidents, injuries and deaths that have resulted by inappropriate chases and collisions. Most of these could have been easily avoided, and most of the crimes being pursued did not merit these results. However, it is generally rare that police or police departments are held to account for their reckless behavior and the damage caused.
Patrol car shouldn't have been speeding and shouldn't have passed on the right, and should have had it's light bar going. Police car also did not slow or brake prior to the collision.
The turning car should have yielded to the oncoming traffic (unless it had a green arrow). But they should have had an expectation that oncoming traffic was traveling at approximately the speed limit - in which case they could have completed their turn without a collision.
Looks like the town's insurance premium just went up.
So sad for the families of those killed unnecessarily.
03:04 AM
Remember: it's LeMons. There are no rules on the track, aside from knowing that if you make contact, you'll penalized. No one has the right of way, no one "has the line".
No one should've done anything, as no one can count on other drivers seeing you or knowing what to do if they do.
02:45 AM
11/22/09
I've witnessed them drag-racing each other at night, and blowing through red lights while doing so. I've seen this in Bridgeport as well, and they currently have a case/investigation involving a drunk officer who smashed into a parked car- which the supervising lieutenant tried to cover-up.
11/22/09
I call it "Car Tourette's"-- you hear the damnedest foul words coming out of your mouth very loudly--sometimes I even surprise myself. So, nothing to apologize for, Dude. I thought you were rather restrained, under the circumstances.
12:25 AM
11/22/09
And is that Ian Anderson in the red shoes? Shouldn't he be back in Scotland with his salmon farm and his Tull royalties?
Whoever he is, he's not too old to rock--and roll.
11/22/09
I'd like to see the TR7 going again in all its damaged glory, too.
11/22/09
(If there wasn't anyone on his arse, he should've let off, of course, but it's likely that he couldn't and was hoping the 'B pilot woke up.)
11/22/09
Since there was no one under the B, there was no reason to swing way out to make the left hander. The Honda driver has as much right to the track and a racing line as anyone else.
Rule #1 in racing - Hold Your Line.
Well, if it's not #1, it should be up there.
11/22/09
Not saying that he knew he was going to take out the Bee, but why - at that particular point - would one make the decision to swerve left without backing off the throttle a hair, when it's really, really obvious that contact would be made?
But then again, there's a lot of factors & disctractions involved that we can't see or experience through the eyes of the camera, so it's likely this is just one of those unfortunate incidents than can occur in any race.
Glad the guy in the Bee is OK.
11/22/09
The Honda went as far right as he could, until his right tires were in the dirt. That is what caused the left-right movement.
We have the luxury of watching the video over and over, analyzing every second, and criticizing the actions of both drivers..... drivers who did not have the same luxuries as we do. That's why race drivers need to follow certain rules of decorum; they do not have the time to endlessly analyze every moment of competition.
Yes, there are many factors and distractions present, but it was one major mistake that caused this incident. Fortunately, no one paid a big price for that mistake. Hopefully it was "lesson learned" for all involved.
11/22/09
And where did our intrepid cameraman learn to drive? NASCAR?
I'll acknowledge shared fault, but he should have backed down.
11/22/09
11/22/09
11/22/09
I suspect that's a main reason that only half the prize money is based on laps completed. There's no way to keep a race from being about racing, but letting slower entrants have a chance at glory keeps the lemons coming.
02:59 AM
There were tons of fast e30s, miatas and RX-7s, but you know what? No one even pays attention too them. They all blend together. It's the really crappy cars with good themes that people appreciate.
Most of the time the "serious" guys in the e30s end up getting all frustrated anyways, as they're (inexplicably) expecting competent driving and fair officiating...definitely not the case at LeMons.
11/21/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
From the evidence here, it's pretty obvious that the two cops were either racing to the nearest Dunkin' Donuts, or just having some good old we-can-do-this-'cause-we're-cops fun. Sad.
11/20/09
A bad idea, yeah. I try my best to avoid it, but if there were citations for this, every state debt would be paid for by the people within three days.
Left. Lane. Squatters. Suck.
More than double-posted + no lights = guilty of stupidity and reckless endangerment.
Had this been a "civilian", they'd have been hung, roadside.
For the record, change the Miata to a motorcycle, and this is one of, if not the most common accident which affects those on two-wheels.
11/20/09
11/20/09
Genius.
NW Oregon freeways are jammed at least in part because of the locals getting on, getting up to 45 while heading directly for the left lane, then sitting there.
11/20/09
Patrol car shouldn't have been speeding and shouldn't have passed on the right, and should have had it's light bar going. Police car also did not slow or brake prior to the collision.
The turning car should have yielded to the oncoming traffic (unless it had a green arrow). But they should have had an expectation that oncoming traffic was traveling at approximately the speed limit - in which case they could have completed their turn without a collision.
Looks like the town's insurance premium just went up.
So sad for the families of those killed unnecessarily.