Topic: Dahlinboysracing: we fought the wall and the wall won
Cross posted from some FB pages:
Guys and gals, Fritz from Dahlinboysracing here. Yes, the car that took out the guardrail at Thompson yesterday.
First, I want to say the driver, Harry Collins is A-OK as reported.I traded voicemails with him this morning, he was on his way to work. He did an unbelievable job in a horrible situation, and thankfully we were the only casualty. Sorry about everyone loseing an hour of racing.
We have in car video, and it is pretty terrifying. Harry was right at 100 mph when he went off, and was pumping away on the brake pedal. As soon as I can I will have it posted up.
Some thank yous:
Roll cage Components who built and installed the cage. I will get some photos in the next few days and post them. It did not move. The A pillars are flattened against and past it.
Jay and the Lemons staff for having great rules AND enforcing them. We all bitch and complain, but when you see the video hopefully you will agree, they are trying to keep us from hurting ourselves. Why anyone would race without a head and neck restraint...
Everyone who came up and checked on our driver and commented on his skill and how much worse it could have been.
Harry: Great teammate, I would recommend him to anyone looking for a driver. He was great behind the wheel, helped out whenever he was asked and he and his wife Dee cook and feed you as well! He did say after things calmed down "tell me what I owe you" . In no way do I think this was his fault and I think that was and is a great gesture on his part. I don't see how I can ask him to pay.
Sorry we did not stay for the awards, it was a choice of getting home at 1:00 am or after 3 am, I chose 1:00. My nerves were shot and I was exhausted. Still pretty wiped out after unloading this morning.
So what happened? Give me a day or two and I will post up details on the brake system. When the car was brought back to our paddock, it had a good pedal. We jacked it up, removed the wheels and each caliper was working. There were no brake fluid leaks anywhere. When we unloaded this morning the brakes worked fine. We are baffled.
Thanks again for the concern and well wishes, glad the only loss was our car.
Fritz