Re: oversteer vs. understeer

[Bob <mx@snet.net>]

Trisha Blethen wrote:
> 
> 
> No....ask Ray....he's had several front end impacts racing and one rear
> end to.  He was VERY sore after the rear end impact ....more so than the
> impact where he destroyed the Capri at NHIS head on into the wall.
> Granted the car faired better, but his neck (even with the neck brace)
> did not.  For a matter of fact.....of the two broken necks that I have
> seen at NHIS.....both were rear end impacts into the wall....one was Bob
> Roth in a spec racer and the last one was Tom Bolles at the last Busch
> North race last year.  In a rear end hit, your head is travellin forward
> first then SNAPPED back....thus crushing your vertebrae.  In a front
> impact, your head travels forward, but goes back much gentler.  Very
> bizarre, but true.
> 

Ill bet the car has a lot to do with it. It must. I had a frontal
collision at about 120 in a formula atlantic in mosport.. hit a wall
(glancing). That REALLY REALLY sucked. Broke a lot of things on that
one. (arm, legs, shoulder, ribs, ego)  In Montreal I backed into another
car (in a multi car) at about 140 in a can am. (Target was at a complete
stop) I walked away. Was sore as hell, but NOTHING like the frontal.

Bob