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NEws

They see me rollin'....

8/31/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Sometimes, race weekends don't always go to plan...

Our bank holiday weekend started well; a good days testing for Jordine, some good results for my cousins in their Super One Karting Championship and a reasonable couple of results for us on the Monday morning. In Q2 we'd finished 3rd in the field - the same position that we held in the overall Super National Championship table going into the weekend.
In Q3, however, things went downhill - literally. After a close battle with one of our fellow competitors all day, coming out of North-bend hairpin and feeling more competitive than ever, a racing incident began to unfold of which nobody was to blame. We made contact with each other meaning that the car turned sideways and gripped. As the two wheels lifted I realised I was nothing more than a passenger and sat tight as sky, then floor, then sky, then floor flashed before my eyes. It all happened in a matter of minutes, and the car was firmly planted on the floor before I could realise what had happened. After realising that it was so bright as the roof had come off, and a quick check that my legs and arms were still intact, I jumped out to let my supporters, and the rest of the crowd know that after all that, I was OK.
From what I can gather from videos, pictures, and peoples comments, the roll was pretty spectacular going end-over-end approximately 9 times and shedding all of it's panels. The integrity of the space frame and the roll cage, which still mostly resembled the mini cooper shape are a huge testament to Duncan and those who have worked to build my car - it could not have been safer or protected me any better - some may not have been as lucky, but I escaped with a bruised foot (an x-ray has revealed that there's nothing broken) and a stiff neck / shoulders. My helmet, belts and hans did an excellent job of protecting my head, neck and keeping me in the car too and I couldn't be more thankful that they stood up to the job they were intended to - and maybe now I'll be able to get that fancy Stilo I've had my eyes on :P
A quick look back on the car, and we've made the decision not to use the spaceframe or roll cage again as it is weakened in areas, but the engine runs with no smoke so we'll find a way of getting that into something new! The fact that the engine has survived is just another testament to how well built our car was.

A big thanks again to Duncan, for building me the safest and quickest car I've known, to mum, J, Linda and all my other supporters for looking out for and after me both before and since the accident, and to everyone else who has sent well wishes. I must also send my thanks to the marshalls, the medical and recovery crews and the management / organisers of the British Rallycross Championship who handled the situation excellently.

I've chosen not to share any pictures of the roll as it progressed - I'm not really sure it's appropriate - just know that I'm alright.

We're not sure on what our future plans are, or when we'll next be competing with that engine, but rest assured that this roll has not put me off, and I'll be back on the track as soon as possible :-)

2 Comments
Art
8/31/2017 05:21:14 pm

So sorry to read cage / spaceframe damaged. Binks had a strong car put together. Did Mick tell you about the build bills he saw? Over engineered for RX but thank goodness it was eh. Hope you can get back racing asap.

Reply
Steve Nottage
9/6/2017 01:11:27 pm

Hi Todd, so glad to hear you're alright, even if the MINI isn't. It was a most spectacular roll (I have 'after' pictures available if wanted!) but my heart sank as I saw it develop. Felt quite queasy myself - I can only imagine what it was like for you! Or Duncan looking at the wreckage.
I don't think a model of the MINI 'après-Lydden' would be a good idea, eh?!
I send my very best wishes to you and the team and trust you will be back on track before very long.
Take care, Steve

Reply



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  • Home
  • News
  • Media
  • Sponsors
    • Links
  • Bodywork
  • Calendar
  • Cars
  • Results
    • Timings >
      • Previous Years >
        • British Rallycross Championship Timings 2013 >
          • Mallory Park - April 14th 2013
          • Mallory Park - June 2nd 2013
          • Maasmechelen - July 27th 2013
          • Lydden Hill - August 25/26th 2013
        • British Rallycross Championship Timings 2014 >
          • Lydden Hill - March 29/30th 2014
          • Valkenswaard - April 13th 2014
          • Knockhill - May 11th 2014
        • BTRDA Clubmans Championship 2014 >
          • Blyton - March 15th 2015
          • Blyton - March 9th 2014
          • Pembrey - June 7th 2014
          • Pembrey - June 8th 2014
      • British Rallycross Championship 2015 >
        • Lydden Hill - April 6th 2015
        • Pembrey - May 10th 2015
        • Mondello Park - 27th June 2015
        • Mondello Park - 28th June 2015
        • Pembrey - July 19th 2015
    • Points >
      • Previous Years Points >
        • 2010 Points - Junior
        • 2011 Points - Senior
        • 2012 Points - Senior
        • 2013 points - Super National
        • 2014 points - Super National >
          • British Rallycross
          • BTRDA Clubmans
      • 2015 points - Super National >
        • British Rallycross
        • BTRDA Clubmans
  • Gallery
    • 2017 >
      • British - Pembrey - 06/17
    • Junior Minicross
    • Previous Years >
      • 2011 Race Season
      • 2012 Race Season >
        • The Car
        • Lydden Hill - March 24th
        • Nutts Corner - June 3rd and 4th
        • Belgium&Holland - July '12
        • Mallory Park - 22/07/12
        • Blyton Test Day - 09/09/12
      • 2013 Race Season >
        • Mallory Park 14/04/2013
        • Mallory Park 02/06/2013
        • Valkenswaard - July 14th 2013
      • 2014 Race Season
      • 2015 Race Season >
        • Mondello Park - June 27th / 28th 2015
    • Videos >
      • Previous Years >
        • 2012 Race Season Videos
        • 2013 Race Season Videos
        • 2014 Race Season Videos
      • 2015 Race Season Videos >
        • Autosport International 2015
        • Croft 15/03/2015 - Round 1 British RX
        • Coventry Motofest 31/05/2015
        • Mondello Park 27/06/2015 - Round 4 British RX
        • Valkenswaard - Minicross
        • Pembrey 19/09/2015 - Round 4 BTRDA RX
  • Contact