[PenelopePitStop]

Forgive me if this has already been discussed. I wasn't logging on during the time when this incident happened.

A few weeks ago, and don't ask me what track or who the driver was, during the race, a tire, I believe a left rear literally blew off the car for no reason. Rim, bolts and all, and it wasn't flat.

I've never seen anything like that. Have you? I found it pretty flippin' scary.

Anyone know what happened?

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Forgive me if this has already been discussed. I wasn't logging on during the time when this incident happened.

A few weeks ago, and don't ask me what track or who the driver was, during the race, a tire, I believe a left rear literally blew off the car for no reason. Rim, bolts and all, and it wasn't flat.

I've never seen anything like that. Have you? I found it pretty flippin' scary.

Anyone know what happened?

I think they didn't have all the lugs tightened Penny... If I remember correctly it was Vickers.

[onearmsteve]

Vickers @ Charlotte for the 600.

the tire ended up in some dude's pop up camper.

incredibly dangerous.

[3fanforever]

Originally Posted by onearmsteve

Vickers @ Charlotte for the 600.

the tire ended up in some dude's pop up camper.

incredibly dangerous.

I heard they wouldn't give the tire and wheel to the guy who owned the camper, but they did give him a bunch of Brian's souvenir stuff.
I don't know if he took it or said "no thanks."

[Bob Tanner]

It happens at local tracks quite a bit, Penny. What usually causes it is that the lug nuts aren't tightened and either the nuts strip the threads on the studs or the nuts wallow out through the wheel.

Historical note:

As late as thirty-forty years ago hardly a week went by without some spectator in the US getting seriously hurt, or killed when they were hit by a flying loose tire. In fact, in the 50's there was a serious movement to ban organized automobile racing, not because of danger to the drivers but rather danger to the spectators.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I think they didn't have all the lugs tightened Penny... If I remember correctly it was Vickers.

Are you kidding me?! These are professionals who do this every weekend, not to mention practice during the week. How can they make such a mistake? Jeez!

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

I heard they wouldn't give the tire and wheel to the guy who owned the camper, but they did give him a bunch of Brian's souvenir stuff.
I don't know if he took it or said "no thanks."

Oh, man! I forgot that it bounced into the camping area! They're lucky no one was killed or injured. Can you imagine the law suit? However, there might be a "disclaimer" on the back of the ticket ... if they had one. I know there is on Pit Passes.

I believe several years ago, a tire flew off a car, bounced over the fence into the stands, and killed a woman ... from what I remember. My memory isn't so good these days. I don't remember if it was Cup or Indy.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

It happens at local tracks quite a bit, Penny. What usually causes it is that the lug nuts aren't tightened and either the nuts strip the threads on the studs or the nuts wallow out through the wheel.

Historical note:

As late as thirty-forty years ago hardly a week went by without some spectator in the US getting seriously hurt, or killed when they were hit by a flying loose tire. In fact, in the 50's there was a serious movement to ban organized automobile racing, not because of danger to the drivers but rather danger to the spectators.

Oh, I've seen it many times back in the day when I went to Modified and BGN races, but I thought that the lug nuts were secure in this case, and the tire just came off the axel (or whatever the tire attaches to). That's what scared me. I guess I misunderstood.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Are you kidding me?! These are professionals who do this every weekend, not to mention practice during the week. How can they make such a mistake? Jeez!

And THAT, m'dear, is exactly why they pit erasers on pencils.

[onearmsteve]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Oh, man! I forgot that it bounced into the camping area! They're lucky no one was killed or injured. Can you imagine the law suit? However, there might be a "disclaimer" on the back of the ticket ... if they had one. I know there is on Pit Passes.

I believe several years ago, a tire flew off a car, bounced over the fence into the stands, and killed a woman ... from what I remember. My memory isn't so good these days. I don't remember if it was Cup or Indy.

it was IndyCar at Charlotte and i was there.

[onearmsteve]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

As late as thirty-forty years ago hardly a week went by without some spectator in the US getting seriously hurt, or killed when they were hit by a flying loose tire. In fact, in the 50's there was a serious movement to ban organized automobile racing, not because of danger to the drivers but rather danger to the spectators.

still to this day, if a tire gets in the stands, somebody is killed.

[onearmsteve]

Originally Posted by onearmsteve

it was IndyCar at Charlotte and i was there.

in addition, the open wheels cars have made good strides to keep the tire tethered to the car at impact.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by onearmsteve

in addition, the open wheels cars have made good strides to keep the tire tethered to the car at impact.

That they have. They are to be commended for that.

[oncea3fan]

THAT was the same time that NASCAR mandated the hood, trunk, and susp. teathers.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by onearmsteve

it was IndyCar at Charlotte and i was there.

Tell me more! Were you close to the tire? Were you in danger?