Damge to Suspension

[Bob Winer]

At the last RacerFactory event at the Streets of Willow, I had the misadventure of going off the track at the bottom of the chicane.  The ground was most uneven, and my Mini was airborne 3 times.  Of course, each time the car hit ground, a tremendous amount of force was transmitted to the suspension .  As some of you know, the car and all four wheels were pretty badly damaged   .

Seeing what happened to Ian's wheel, I thought I'd post a pic of one of the front shocks (really bent) and one of the upper rear control arms (really, really bent).  Click on the download button for the graphic details.  The control arm is not supposed to have a zig-zag configuration, and the shock tube is not supposed to be separated from the mounting flange!  Remember, "Gravity... it's the law", and Newton's 3d Law of Motion can't be bucked...

[Craftnurd]

OUCH!!!  Your poor MINI!!!  I don't know much about this stuff, but is it repairable?  Hope so!

[Bob Winer]

OUCH!!!  Your poor MINI!!!  I don't know much about this stuff, but is it repairable?  Hope so!

Yes, the car was repaired by replacing the damaged parts and doing a little magical tweaking....

[jdemaria]

Dang Bob and I thought I was a nut. Whoo hoo. I am glad you got your baby all fixed again.  

[Brian W]

I must say when you do it you do it BIG ! Those are some SERIOUSLY bent parts !

Glad you got it fixed though.

Bob, Have you had a chance to pick up that 4th rim for me yet ?

[maddog2020]

The sad thing is that the control arm actually looks quite natural in its new configuration.  You really have to see it in comparison to a new one (i.e. straight) to understand just how bent it really is.

Look at those parts, consider that Bob's Centerline wheels didn't break (a couple of them may have gotten a bit bent), and then ask yourself if Centerline makes strong enough wheels to withstand the rigors of racing....

Dog

[Spot-On Mini]

Mother of pearl!!!!  Minis can't fly after all!!!  That control arm really looks nasty, can only imagine what that felt like inside the car.  Wonder how your Porsche would have stood up to the same forces.  That gravity stuff is a bear!!!  Looks like you're tougher than your control arm and shocks!

Rebecca

[jdemaria]

Bob,

I forgot to mention the next time you want to fly in your MINI I would reccomend this upgrade.  

[MINIRAIDER]

i think i will get me one of these plains so i can say i have my own......PLAIN...
good luck on your next flight people.

[Bob Winer]

Bob, Have you had a chance to pick up that 4th rim for me yet ?

Brian,

Yes, I do have your wheel; perhaps we can meet somewhere so that you'll have a complete set.  Send me a pm,

Thanks,

[Brian W]

No real hurry, lets just coordinate an event we will both be at, I can get it then.

[Bob Winer]

Mother of pearl!!!!  Minis can't fly after all!!!  That control arm really looks nasty, can only imagine what that felt like inside the car.  Wonder how your Porsche would have stood up to the same forces.  That gravity stuff is a bear!!!  Looks like you're tougher than your control arm and shocks!

Rebecca

The feeling inside of the flying Mini was not good, and my neck/back took quite a bit of a hit.  The Schroth set up helped, but I really think I should have been in the clubhouse sipping some super-duper IPA from Stone Brewing   .  The P-car will not be getting anywhere near a racetrack  

I'm not sure if I'd consider myself "tougher" than those metal bits; soft tissue can absorb a lot of energy, but the skeletal sub-structure might not fare so well.  Anyway, there's always the Speed Channel...

[Bob Winer]

Bob,

I forgot to mention the next time you want to fly in your MINI I would reccomend this upgrade.  

Now, that's a Mini!!!!!!      Where was that critter made?  Do you think Steve could fabricate the parts?  I would swap out those S-Lites because they will be a hindrance to a quick take off  

[Spot-On Mini]

Well, Bob, I think you look much better for wear than that control arm and shock, to be sure.  BTW, I played some video of you and some other folks in the club driving while I was at work and the people I work with were blown away!    I didn't mention that you have also been known to fly further (and perhaps higher) than the Spruce Goose did in your Mini!    

Motor On!
Rebecca