Ken Etter injured in an accident at Fontana

[Run to Rund]

Here are a couple aftermarket brake pushrod retainers:

http://www.jerrybickel.com/brake-kit...-jbrc1064.html

http://www.automedia.com/Better_Brak...ht20080501gh/1

[Ken Etter]

That Lamb piece looks like s great idea. I guess it is why they have the best stuff. Hopefully everyone will take 5 seconds every month and give that brake pedal a tug. Ironically I had looked at the one in this car before Sonoma. I was going to put a 2step switch in. Everything appeared fine and there was a pedal limiting device in place with a hose clamp. The rod was stock with a rubber grommet on the end. My best guess is the clamp broke or loosened up. I tend to have a heavy brake foot so when I released the pedal it must have popped back hard enough to pull the grommet. I'm just thankful that I was driving and not the car owner. I have about 20 years and some size on him. Might have been a different outcome. My one hope is this has raised some awareness on these safety items and we can make these cars safer for us and the next generation drivers.

[Run to Rund]

My experience is only GM A bodies, but they use a steel retainer, not a rubber grommet or boot. My limited surfing of the 'net suggests that is what some other cars use. I wouldn't trust a rubber grommet. I'd back it up with a strap bolted across the pushrod area, with a hole or slot for the pushrod. when I assembled my current 66 with a GM type dual master cylinder, it didn't look like the rod could fall out of the deep recess in the master cylinder, but I was anal and scoured junkyards until I found the correct retainer. The yard had a dual master cylinder hanging on the wall, with pushrod and retainer still attached, and wouldn't sell just the parts I wanted. So, I paid the whole $5 or 10 and then threw away the cylinder.

I am so sorry to read about your tragedy and hope no one assumes the stock or aftermarket master cylinder setup is "good enough" in the future. I didn't even give my worry any vocalization, assuming others knew what to do, or that I was excessively detail-oriented. There are so many things that can go wrong, and it is through forums like this that we seek them out and fix them. For example, I run a full face helmet SA2005 and "assumed" it was good protection for the lower jaw. Your experience shows that the steering column can still be an issue.

[dartman]

Originally Posted by Ken Etter

That Lamb piece looks like s great idea. I guess it is why they have the best stuff. Hopefully everyone will take 5 seconds every month and give that brake pedal a tug. Ironically I had looked at the one in this car before Sonoma. I was going to put a 2step switch in. Everything appeared fine and there was a pedal limiting device in place with a hose clamp. The rod was stock with a rubber grommet on the end. My best guess is the clamp broke or loosened up. I tend to have a heavy brake foot so when I released the pedal it must have popped back hard enough to pull the grommet. I'm just thankful that I was driving and not the car owner. I have about 20 years and some size on him. Might have been a different outcome. My one hope is this has raised some awareness on these safety items and we can make these cars safer for us and the next generation drivers.

I'm going to order one of those Lamb piece and install it before my car hits the track in the spring.Your misfortune has open my eyes and hopefully more people,and may of save a life.Thank you.

[Peter Biondo]

I feel for you Ken. Coming from someone that has been there and done that. I was a little luckier in that I hit a tree with the right side of my car so I was able to walk away uninjured. Get well!

We take it for granted that stuff like this never happens. Between Ken's picture and mine here, it should sink in to all of us that it does and that 120 mph may not be 300, but it's still VERY fast. One thing I've learned from it is that I always check out the shut down options before I make a run at a new track and play out a few "what if" scenarios in my head. It only takes a few minutes and can save your life.

And of course the obvious; check the car out thoroughly. We get so wrapped up in performance, consistency etc, we easily overlook the basic safety issues.

Peter

[Ken Etter]

I have had alot of calls from people checking in on me and they have all heard different stories of my injuries. Thought I'd give a basic rundown of what hsppened to me. First fractured jaw in 2 places,had surgery friday to put plates in and repair it. Wired shut for now. Also have a 3 " laceration on my chin where it broke. Guess the gotee will have to stay. I have a fracture in my right hand. misc lacerations on my hands,arms and knee. bruises on my legs,stomach,arms,basically everywhere. The heel on my lft foot is badly bruised. My right hip and knee are also badly bruised or sprained. My right ankle has me worried the most it is not broken but severly swollen up to my knee. There may be tendon or ligament damage not sure yet. They wanted to focus on the jaw and will shift to the ankle following my jaw appointment on monday.No neck pain except from the jaw and no back pain whatsoever. I am still amazed I didnt break my back or neck. Anyways just wanted to set the injuries straight. All in all I am the luckiest man alive right now.