Cobra accident

[twobjshelbys]

Hoping for speedy recovery.

http://www.ocregister.com/news/injur...ous-helms.html

Cobras are hard enough to handle without adding ethanol. And I don't mean injected into the engine.

[Got the Bug]

That's right around the corner from where my folks live. Sounds like some serious injuries. Sad to hear alcohol may have been involved.

[LMH]

Wow! Hope they both make full recoveries.
Alcohol and horse power do not mix though!
Larry

[Buzz]

----------, who was driving, suffered serious head injuries, while (the passenger) suffered serious internal injuries,

Alcohol and horse power do not mix though!

Nor do unprotected heads and steel roll bars. Over the years, in quite a few (not all) of the reported street Cobra mishaps, the driver is seriously injured or killed while the passenger survives or is less seriously injured.

On the track it's a different story as a greater percentage of accidents involve rollovers; and, rollover or not - because he is wearing a helmet, the driver's head is spared being bludgeoned by his own roll bar.

Condolences to all involved and affected, and wishes for a speedy recovery.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Nor do unprotected heads and steel roll bars. Over the years, in quite a few (not all) of the reported street Cobra mishaps, the driver is seriously injured or killed while the passenger survives or is less seriously injured.

I can whack my head against my roll bar just by stretching out my back muscles -- padding your roll bars isn't just for the good looks you know.

[Tommy]

I was looking at the photos attached to the article. The last one looks like a spec racer with a very different roll bar and windshield arrangement than the car in the earlier pictures. Curious. I wonder where the newspaper got the "before" pictures.

[jshel1]

This is terrible news and a reminder to us all... be careful out there.
The photos' captions indicate that the accident involved one of two cobras that the couple owns. Prayers to the family and local cobra community.

[Excaliber]

Alcohol use may be nothing more than a single beer or glass of wine shared with friends before departure. That may not be indicative of someone under the influence. As the driver seems in fact to own TWO Cobras, one of which is a race car, I would presume he was a skilled driver. Secondarily, I would assume he was not prone to excessive speed, showing off on the street. IF he had a friend for a passenger THEN one might conclude he could have been "showing off". But it was his wife, no reason to be driving aggressively.

So, what really happened to cause this accident is sure a head scratcher! In that regard, perhaps alcohol really is a major player?

[rustyBob]

I hope for a rapid recovery for both of them......

I attended a local car show this last saturday with about 70 cars...
and the number of people that where drinking beer all day long and
then got in there cars and drove home was scarry to say the least...
dont drink and drive....and those of you who want/must drink find
someone to drive for you....i see people on CC all the time that preach
SAFETY....BE SAFE...dont drink and drive....period.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Tommy

I was looking at the photos attached to the article. The last one looks like a spec racer with a very different roll bar and windshield arrangement than the car in the earlier pictures. Curious. I wonder where the newspaper got the "before" pictures.

I saw that too.

It's not just HP and alcohol. It's Alcohol + HP + torque. I'm betting he got sideways...

[FUNFER2]

Although I feel for the occupants and will pray for them, being drunk behind ANY TYPE,.....of vehicle, is just plain stupid !

Being a volunteer fireman. I've seen way too many drunk driving accidents. One where a pregnant lady nurse was pulling into a turn lane off the highway into our small town, and an drunk ass hit her head on at 60 + mph, killing her 7 month old boy that was in her tummy. Although she recovered from her physical injuries, she's never gotten over it mentally & emotionally, which is worse than any,.....physical injuries for anyone.

Most of the time, the drunk is fine.

I apologize going beyond the purpose of this thread but, I don't feel sorry for drunks. Again,..... I will pray for them and their loved ones.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by rustyBob

I hope for a rapid recovery for both of them......

I attended a local car show this last saturday with about 70 cars...
and the number of people that where drinking beer all day long and
then got in there cars and drove home was scarry to say the least...
dont drink and drive....and those of you who want/must drink find
someone to drive for you....i see people on CC all the time that preach
SAFETY....BE SAFE...dont drink and drive....period.

I second that!! These cars require your full attention and focus. They can bite you in a split-second. Even the slightest impairment can raise your odds of being bitten!!

I also attended a car show a while back where alot of folks were sitting in the sun and drinking all day. A worrysome sight to see all those high horsepower hot rods firing up and heading home at the end of the show. The local cops aren't stupid either. They know about it and, in this case, just set up a checkpoint right around the corner from the show where everyone had to pass by to exit. They looked like they were having a banner day arresting guys and impounding their cars. I'm sure it prevented a few bad things from happening out on the roads, so I was glad to see it.

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Alcohol use may be nothing more than a single beer or glass of wine shared with friends before departure. That may not be indicative of someone under the influence. As the driver seems in fact to own TWO Cobras, one of which is a race car, I would presume he was a skilled driver. Secondarily, I would assume he was not prone to excessive speed, showing off on the street. IF he had a friend for a passenger THEN one might conclude he could have been "showing off". But it was his wife, no reason to be driving aggressively.

So, what really happened to cause this accident is sure a head scratcher! In that regard, perhaps alcohol really is a major player?

I will never show off for a passenger. I'm not about to risk their lives.

[Bernica]

Yep. The last thing you ever want to say to your passenger in these cars is "watch this!". Not smart. You know what your car can do, and that should be enough. If you've gotta play, find a track or do it by yourself!!

[FUNFER2]

We race sprint cars, and one problem that I see, is the owner of the track is now serving hard alcohol, just not beer. A lot of the fans come to the races just to get plastered, not even watching the races. Afterwords, they come into the pits, all tanked up, stumbling and even asking stupid questions. They'll some how talk a race team to drive their ATV or golf cart, blasting around the pits (and we've stopped several of these idiots) then, right out to the highway driving drunk, and most of the time, no State Patrol cars at all. If they show up, it's just or traffic control.

Our team is usually the last to leave the track, midnight or beyond. We cook hamburgers, drink some beer and have a wonderful time, but we always have sober people to drive us home.

"rustybob" (below) and his son came to the races with me a couple of weeks ago, and we had a frickin blast and the racing was great. His son and I drank some beer without,......getting drunk !, and Bob came as the designator driver, but he also of course,.... had fun.

Even though we just met several months ago, I love Bob like a brother. (as OLD as he is, he could be my Grandpa)

I now have a lot of respect for him, for letting his son and I drink, and him driving us home. It's so hard, not to drink along with your friend
I wish everyone that drinks, has someone such as Bob.
(damn Bob, now I'm all emotional) lol

Seriously people, don't drink & drive or you could end up like this cobra owner or worse, killing someone.

[Excaliber]

Silverback, it's a point that needs to be reinforced from time to time. The temptation to "show off" with a new passenger can be quite significant at times, use your head!! We have heard of a few accidents involving what sure sounded like a "newbie" getting a ride in a Cobra. Time and place are everything.

As well as the temptation to "race" someone on the street, save it for the track.

[rustyBob]

Thanks for the kind words Kevin.....

my son found out first hand what a DUI can do
to your driveing record and your wallett.....
now he listens to the "Old Guy" when i say
"you dont want to do that"
i have for a long time felt that if a store
sells gas that they should not be allowed to sell
alcohol...of any kind...

again i wish them luck in their healing process...

[jhv48]

And Texas actually has drive-thru liquor stores.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by rustyBob

Thanks for the kind words Kevin.....

my son found out first hand what a DUI can do
to your driveing record and your wallett.....
now he listens to the "Old Guy" when i say
"you dont want to do that"
i have for a long time felt that if a store
sells gas that they should not be allowed to sell
alcohol...of any kind...

again i wish them luck in their healing process...

I agree with that. With the much lowered tolerances, even 3.2 beer should not be allowed at gas stations.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by jhv48

And Texas actually has drive-thru liquor stores.

They still do that??!!
I remember working in Atlanta in the early 80's and they called them "bottle shops". You could drive up and they would even give you a paper cup!!
Times have changed for the better, I think....