Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!

[Jim Wahl]

As some of you know, I lost my brakes at Jackson on the first Q pass of the weekend due to the front battery falling back into the engine and the positive post burned through both brake lines at the master cylinder. Not a fun ride! Luckily ever since I witnessed Peter's wild ride in Orlando I sat down and made a plan as to what I would do should it happen to me. It worked thank God and I was able to avert tragedy. I would say to you, Make a plan for yourself just in case. Please don't be dumb and think it can't happen to you! Jim


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[Beth Denysenko]

My up close and personal view of George Wright having to manhandle his car last weekend REALLY made me sit down and think through many potential situations. Before I go out again, Alex and I will go over every possible situation and make a plan. We have done it before for most common problems that can occur while going downtrack, and my training kicked in when George got out of sorts next to me, but there are many many possibilities that we haven't talked through and need to.

FWIW, our brakes are checked regularly and this specific brake issue had been addressed long ago and should not occur to us. But stranger things have happened going downtrack....

[Chris Hardy]

That is a great idea!!! Let's all remind a fellow racer to check their brake pedal rods and to make an accident reaction plan. It will save lives.

[Dick Butler]

Threw a rod on top end at Indy in qualifying. Went out the left side, pulled the brake line OFF the frame (but intact) took out the left front tire. Crossed the line at 114. Found the brakes gently and noticed a hard pull to the left. I just eased off and coasted down to stop. Very lucky. Installed new motor, tire, fixed line and Ran Class two days later. Also Rember if the car starts swaying left and right sometimes touching the gas will straighten it up before trying brakes again.

[Ernie Neal]

My brake push rod fell out on me back in 87 at Brainerd, glad it was there, for it's a long shut down around the road course. Anyway, since that time every car I build has a spring keeping the rod seated into the master cylinder bore. Using the rubber boot and rubber rod retainer is an absolute must. If you don't have any of these, you would be flirting with disaster.
I have never installed one, but a guide could be used to keep the rod from dropping down also.

It's worth checking our cars. Glad no body was hurt in any of these incidents.

Ernie Neal
SS 354

[rseibenick]

Chris , glad to hear your son is OK. Had same issue on the Tempo and put a stop, so the brake petal would only go back so far and the pin could not come out.

[Jim Kaekel]

Glad to hear that he's alright. Cars can always be fixed.