I was at an autocross yesterday were a car under throttle went a long way off the course and hit a spectator. Although it did not result in a fatality it no doubt changed that person and loved ones life forever along with the driver of the car. I am not the National Inquirer so I won't speculate or add details to what happened other than I never want to experience it again or be the cause. I know most people have stories of what happened at the track and this thread is most definitely not about those stories. I want to try to make my Mustang as safe as possible for those around me first, and then for me.
As the car sits now,
Up front 12 1/2" MS 2008 GT brake kit with EBC rotors and Red Stuff pads.
Out back stock 1965 drum brakes in good working order. One of the drums is still original.
Wilwood proportioning valve installed under the dash within easy reach.
1998 Windstar (I think) master cylinder with a 7" single diaphragm communist power booster. I know power brakes are frowned on by you racers but I have some physical limitations with sciatica and feel they are a necessary evil. I have never been happy with the feel of the booster but I can lock up all 4 at will. I plan on installing hydro boost this winter.
Front spindles are communist big pin.
Dan rebuilt steering box and power steering stuff with a KRC PS pump and Shelby quick steer arms with roller bushings.
Front seats are vintage style Cobra buckets but only with lap belts.
I know a lot of you use the big drum rear brakes and I am looking for the best mechanical backup emergency brake or something if the hydraulic system should fail. I know when I had regular tires pulling the brake handle would lock up the rear drums but not even close with the bigger sticky tires. How effective is the E-brake with the bigger drums? I plan on putting a modern style handle between the seats for convenience. I've lost the brakes on more than 1/2 a dozen cars in my life and it has never been fun. Losing my brakes on course has been keeping me up at night for a while and yesterday, even though it wasn't most likely a brake failure, has me freaked out about brakes even more.
Should I add some kind of cut off switch if the throttle should stick? But if I do that the lack of power minimizes my ability to steer and brake.
I know I need much more seat restraint. Do I put a harness bar or a roll bar in. I don't want to cage the car and feel I'm nearing the point of no return on it turning into a race car. The wife has to sell it when I die and race cars are a limited and losing market.
I really enjoy autocross and I and the car have become very competitive in the last few years but by the nature of racing you are always at the limit and sometimes in finding that limit you go over it. I don't know if I could live with myself if I caused a bystander or competitor death or disfigurement. I am always driving the oldest car competing with the least safety equipment. I guess if I'm going to continue to pursue this hobby I want to make my car as safe as any other car competing.
Responses, but not your track horror stories, would be much appreciated.
As the car sits now,
Up front 12 1/2" MS 2008 GT brake kit with EBC rotors and Red Stuff pads.
Out back stock 1965 drum brakes in good working order. One of the drums is still original.
Wilwood proportioning valve installed under the dash within easy reach.
1998 Windstar (I think) master cylinder with a 7" single diaphragm communist power booster. I know power brakes are frowned on by you racers but I have some physical limitations with sciatica and feel they are a necessary evil. I have never been happy with the feel of the booster but I can lock up all 4 at will. I plan on installing hydro boost this winter.
Front spindles are communist big pin.
Dan rebuilt steering box and power steering stuff with a KRC PS pump and Shelby quick steer arms with roller bushings.
Front seats are vintage style Cobra buckets but only with lap belts.
I know a lot of you use the big drum rear brakes and I am looking for the best mechanical backup emergency brake or something if the hydraulic system should fail. I know when I had regular tires pulling the brake handle would lock up the rear drums but not even close with the bigger sticky tires. How effective is the E-brake with the bigger drums? I plan on putting a modern style handle between the seats for convenience. I've lost the brakes on more than 1/2 a dozen cars in my life and it has never been fun. Losing my brakes on course has been keeping me up at night for a while and yesterday, even though it wasn't most likely a brake failure, has me freaked out about brakes even more.
Should I add some kind of cut off switch if the throttle should stick? But if I do that the lack of power minimizes my ability to steer and brake.
I know I need much more seat restraint. Do I put a harness bar or a roll bar in. I don't want to cage the car and feel I'm nearing the point of no return on it turning into a race car. The wife has to sell it when I die and race cars are a limited and losing market.
I really enjoy autocross and I and the car have become very competitive in the last few years but by the nature of racing you are always at the limit and sometimes in finding that limit you go over it. I don't know if I could live with myself if I caused a bystander or competitor death or disfigurement. I am always driving the oldest car competing with the least safety equipment. I guess if I'm going to continue to pursue this hobby I want to make my car as safe as any other car competing.
Responses, but not your track horror stories, would be much appreciated.