???Don Eckel & Mike Saye CRASH at Z-Max???

sc1153 · 09-16-2008, 01:48 PM

Does anyone have any info on an incedent that happened during the last session of qualifying??

david ring · 09-16-2008, 02:27 PM

This is second hand so take it for what it is worth. What I was told is that the NHRA official signaled Donnie to make the turn at the end of the track. Mike Saye had no brakes and his car plowed into Donnie's as Donnie was turning

Again, this is second hand although the person who told me was waiting at the end of the track for those two cars to pull off the track and the accident happened right in front of him. The NHRA official might have a different version of the events.

Don Eckel 111 · 09-16-2008, 04:08 PM

Yes, Dave pretty much has it right. I made the run, had the chute out, pretty much uneventful. I saw the turnoff worker (who apparently is veteran help according to G Light.) with the bright green gloves in the middle of the track giving me the signal to turn off. As I made the swing, the last thing I heard was someone yell "SLOW DOWN!" A split second later I was center punched right at the footbox into the sand trap by Saye who had lost his brakes. I questioned myself afterward if I had seen the right signal, but others in the area confirmed I saw him correctly. I spoke to the worker later in the day, and his comments to me pretty much confirmed that he had an idea that Saye was in trouble, so I have no idea why I was waved in. I am OK other than a few bruises where I hit the bars with my legs, hip, knees, and ankle. Thankfully , Kurt put me in a well built car and the hit wasn't 3 feet further back. The chassis and body are pretty much junk. I will say this though, I will NEVER make that mistake again of trusting the turnout people to do the right thing when the other car is out of my line of sight. There will some people doing alot of pushing.

russ wernes · 09-16-2008, 09:42 PM

don sorry to hear about your mishap but cars can be rebuilt and you cant. glad you are ok.
if it was me that track worker would not have been !

russ

Don Eckel 111 · 09-16-2008, 10:06 PM

Thanks Russ, see you soon.

david ring · 09-17-2008, 12:14 PM

I second what Russ said, especially the part about you being ok.

09-16-2008, 01:48 PM	#1
sc1153 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Parlin, NJ Posts: 420 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	???Don Eckel & Mike Saye CRASH at Z-Max??? Does anyone have any info on an incedent that happened during the last session of qualifying?? __________________ Chris DePascale S/ST 1531 & S/C 1153....Addicted Racing Jad153@aol.com

09-16-2008, 02:27 PM	#2
david ring Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oneonta.,NY Posts: 889 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: ???Don Eckel & Mike Saye CRASH at Z-Max??? This is second hand so take it for what it is worth. What I was told is that the NHRA official signaled Donnie to make the turn at the end of the track. Mike Saye had no brakes and his car plowed into Donnie's as Donnie was turning Again, this is second hand although the person who told me was waiting at the end of the track for those two cars to pull off the track and the accident happened right in front of him. The NHRA official might have a different version of the events.

09-16-2008, 04:08 PM	#3
Don Eckel 111 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Piscataway, NJ Posts: 75 Likes: 10 Liked 69 Times in 12 Posts	Re: ???Don Eckel & Mike Saye CRASH at Z-Max??? Yes, Dave pretty much has it right. I made the run, had the chute out, pretty much uneventful. I saw the turnoff worker (who apparently is veteran help according to G Light.) with the bright green gloves in the middle of the track giving me the signal to turn off. As I made the swing, the last thing I heard was someone yell "SLOW DOWN!" A split second later I was center punched right at the footbox into the sand trap by Saye who had lost his brakes. I questioned myself afterward if I had seen the right signal, but others in the area confirmed I saw him correctly. I spoke to the worker later in the day, and his comments to me pretty much confirmed that he had an idea that Saye was in trouble, so I have no idea why I was waved in. I am OK other than a few bruises where I hit the bars with my legs, hip, knees, and ankle. Thankfully , Kurt put me in a well built car and the hit wasn't 3 feet further back. The chassis and body are pretty much junk. I will say this though, I will NEVER make that mistake again of trusting the turnout people to do the right thing when the other car is out of my line of sight. There will some people doing alot of pushing. __________________ Don Eckel 1985 COMP

09-16-2008, 09:42 PM	#4
russ wernes Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: linden n.j. Posts: 21 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: ???Don Eckel & Mike Saye CRASH at Z-Max??? don sorry to hear about your mishap but cars can be rebuilt and you cant. glad you are ok. if it was me that track worker would not have been ! russ

09-16-2008, 10:06 PM	#5
Don Eckel 111 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Piscataway, NJ Posts: 75 Likes: 10 Liked 69 Times in 12 Posts	Re: ???Don Eckel & Mike Saye CRASH at Z-Max??? Thanks Russ, see you soon. __________________ Don Eckel 1985 COMP

09-17-2008, 12:14 PM	#6
david ring Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oneonta.,NY Posts: 889 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: ???Don Eckel & Mike Saye CRASH at Z-Max??? I second what Russ said, especially the part about you being ok.