Ron's Blog - Pocono, Crew Chief's Point of View....

August 2007

Before I begin, I would like to say thank you to everyone who helped us out after the accident at the end of Saturday's race and who has continued to help us since.   I can't put it into words how much your help and support means. 

The end of the Saturday race was probably the hardest time we've experienced at a track, and the number of people that came to our paddock that evening was amazing.   Joe and I have only been racing with SCCA for two years, but I have never seen that many people go to another paddock after an incident.  Especially since most of you were going to be racing the following day, and had your own car prep to do. 

I fully intended on writing this last week, but so much has happened, time slipped away from me.   That evening has turned in a haze.  I remember seeing about 50 people at our paddock at any given time.  At one point, when the rollback driver was trying to unload our car as far into our trailer as possible (since the car would not roll on her own), I looked up and saw about 15 people holding the car on the flat bed.   The help we received that evening was unbelievable.  As usual, Kryder Racing, was there every step of the way -- that's TWICE Matt has been instrumental to put our car in the trailer this season.

While I am Joe's crew chief, I am also his wife.  When he told me he wanted to start racing with SCCA, I thought it was just another track club.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  In the past two years, I have met some amazing people.  I am always blown away at how the drivers freely share how they get around the track, what is the best line, when giving hints like that only make their competition stronger.  However, the friendship that was bestowed on us Saturday evening was beyond words.  Bill, Dave, Reed, Sandi, Matt, Dave, Ron, Mike, Brett, Cody, Cliff, Ed, Jason, Chris, Phil, Pete, Bob, Joe, Jeanne, AJ... the list just goes on and on.    There were tons of people I had never met before -- corner workers, ambulance crew, the tow driver -- came over to offer support and kind words.  Once we got home, we've had an outpouring of emails, private messages on the forums, and phone calls.   The support has been incredible. 

Joe left the decision up to me whether to continue racing.   Joe has been into cars and racing from the day we met.  I knew he wanted to continue, but he said it was my choice.  The friendship we have received in the past two weeks made it an easy decision to fix the car up, and get back out there.   Saturday night, I was told "Whether it's two days, two weeks, two months or six years for you to come back, we'll always be here for you."   It's not often you get friends like that in your life.

I did speak with the driver of the other car on Sunday.  While I forgot to ask him if he was ok, I believe he was.   He had come to the paddock Saturday evening, but neither of us was in any shape to talk to him.   He came by several times on Sunday afternoon, before Joe and I had arrived at the track.   I have respect for him for trying so hard to contact us, I'm sure that wasn't easy.   He told me he had been racing hard the last three laps and cooked his breaks.  He said he wanted to get tire temps, and when he hit the brakes to avoid Joe, they weren't there.  He said that Joe did nothing wrong.  Basically, he made a mistake, and unfortunately Joe was in the wrong place at the wrong time.   There will always be the woulda/shoulda/coulda, but right now, it is what it is.   Joe is fine, and that is really all that matters.   In time, cars can be fixed, but I only have one driver.

We dropped the trailer off at Phoenix Performance on the way home from the race.  Joe spoke with Joe A. the other day, and from what I understand the car is out of the trailer and the damage is being assessed.  (August 29, 2007)   I am not a mechanic at all, but from my amateur assessment, we have major suspension damage on at least two corners -- the right rear where the initial impact occurred and the left front where Joe was shoved into the 4*4*4 concrete wall.   There is also damage to the right front wheel, but not as bad.  Three of the four corners all have body damage, along with the hood and the rear. 

No glass was broken, and the doors appear to open/close properly so I don't believe there will be any substantial frame damage.  Nothing was leaking from under the car, so hopefully the engine, trans, etc. are ok. 

Physically Joe is 100%.   That is a complete testimony to safety equipment.  The roll cage, the harnesses, helmet, HANS, seat and fasteners all worked together.  See Joe's write up on Safety Equipment for details. 

Again, thank you to everyone who has been there for us.   It means so much.

-- Rhonda, Crew Chief, Over1G Racing, #86