Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

Racecar crashed!!! Jacob (my oldest boy) was racing at Martin US131 today and the brakes failed. He went off the end of the track, thru the sand trap and into the woods. Some broken parts on the car. But he is OK!!! Man he did a great job at keeping it away from the trees!!! Really sad part... he had won the race and was not able to make the call for round 2. :(

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

Glad to hear Jacob is ok! I'm sure that's not a good feeling, both from in the car realizing you have no brakes and from the outside realizing the car's not slowing down. I hope there's not too much damage on the car and you guys figure out what caused it.

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

Thank you.
Yeah... I have not ever been in his shoes that he was in today. His years or racing motocross, Jr dragster and Karts paid off today!!! That was some evasive driving man! :) It appears that the rod the enters into the master cylinder became dislodged when he jammed the brakes avoiding "breakout" when he went for the brakes again... nothing but floor at top speed.

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

Sooooo glad he's ok! Parts and cars can be replaced. Jacob Hardys cannot be replaced!

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

That is the same thing that caused Ken Etter to crash. Glad your son is alright

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

Chris , Close call !!! Glad Jacob was,nt hurt cars can be fixed kids are priceless !! Let me know if you need help rounding up any parts . Dennis

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

Thank you everyone for your concerns. :) And thank you for you offers to help get the car back together. You are all great people!

Instead of rushing thru the repair, we are going to have him drive the Chevelle next weekend instead.

This near miss really makes me think that all cars should have cages and 5 point harnesses. Accidents can happen to anyone.

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

I to am glad he was not hurt

How about something that secures the rod? We all need to do it

We have done what we can by length, pedal rebound and a billet guide on the inside of the firewall to prevent it from dropping

Most have not done anything at all YET (checking is a good start) - all should

Ron

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

I'm pretty sure a master cylinder pushrod has been the culprit in crashes for Woodro, Pete, and one of the Huttons, in the last 6-8 years, among others, possibly including the above mentioned Ken Etter (I don't know about that one myself).


Racers need to be really serious and vigilant with that little component. It needs to be checked regularly, before you load up to leave before every race would be a good interval.


Glad to hear Jacob is okay. People have been hurt really bad in crashes like that.

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

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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Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

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....

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

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. :D It will save lives.

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

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.

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

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

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

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.

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

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

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

Chris, glad everyone is fine. Scary! See you all at Martin this weekend. Let us know if you need any help.

GRC

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

This should serve as a reminder to all racers to check that their push rod can not fall out the back of the master cylinder.Don't rely on the boot,or brake light switch to hold it in.On my new car i put a piece of light weight chain from the firewall to the pedal to restrict the backward movement of the pedal.I think alot of racers get in trouble when they change master cylinders,and the pushrod depth in the new master cylinder is different.

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

As Lynn stated it is the pedal movement which allows the rod to fall out if I am correct. Restricting the motion is the accurate answer or a longer rod.

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

I have a 4 door body here if you need some parts.
Dan

Re: Hardys Hangup Buick Crash!!!
 

I'm going to fab up a rod retainer/guide tube. Looking under the dash, that looks to be best for this setup. Thank you all for your advise.
Take care