2800HP Camaro crashes at 244mph

[Haboob]

Here.

Few weekend race events have grown quite as quickly as the Texas Mile, a twice-a-year run down a 1.5-mile airstrip in Beeville, Texas, that lets tuners push their creations to 200 mph and beyond. One of the stars of the past couple of years has been a fourth-generation Chevy Camaro, tuned by a Houston shop into a twin-turbo monster that hit 263 mph last October, claiming the mantle of America's fastest Camaro. This year, the team returned to the Mile last weekend with some 2,800 hp — and found that the engineering they'd put into safety features paid off when the car went off track, rolled several times and caught fire.

The Camaro, built by KP Racing in Houston, was powered by a 441-cu-in V-8, which the team overseen by Kelly Bise had cranked to about 2,800 hp. While last October's run of 263.2 mph went off without drama, two years ago the Camaro had gone sideways at the end of the runway after hitting 244 mph:


According to witnesses, driver Joe Huneycutt was halfway through the run when it veered off the runway. "The car must have done at least 8 barrel rolls before coming to a stop, then it caught on fire," KP Racing said in a Facebook post. "Pretty scary for those of us attending the event."

Fortunately, despite the car's destruction, Honeycutt suffered only a concussion and several cuts and bruises, and was released from the hospital shortly after the crash, a testament to the roll cage built by John Harrison of Specialty Metal Craft and HANS neck-protection device Honeycutt wore. All involved say the crash won't deter them from returning to the Mile in search of even faster speeds — and ample proof that safety devices can keep such fun from turning fatal.

Haven't found a video of the crash itself yet, but I can't imagine crashing at 244mph.

[Mitco39]

That'll buff out.

That is pretty crazy, amazing he only had minor injuries.

[Haboob]

Apparently it's not the first time he's gotten sideways...



Saves it at a reported 244mph (seems that was the make-it or break-it speed for this car).

[Mitco39]

When you get going that fast the air can do funny things if the vehicle was not intended to go that fast. The wind is pushing hard on the front of the car, but the back tires are trying to overcome that, so it does not take much to get squirly. Its similar to trying to hold a straight line while accelerating on ice.

The could add downforce to compensate, but then you also are adding alot of drag, and when you are going for a top speed run thats the last thing you want.

That would be pretty freaky to have it go sideways like that, I know what it feels like at say 40mph and its not so fun. haha.

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by Mitco39

When you get going that fast the air can do funny things if the vehicle was not intended to go that fast. The wind is pushing hard on the front of the car, but the back tires are trying to overcome that, so it does not take much to get squirly. Its similar to trying to hold a straight line while accelerating on ice.

The could add downforce to compensate, but then you also are adding alot of drag, and when you are going for a top speed run thats the last thing you want.

That would be pretty freaky to have it go sideways like that, I know what it feels like at say 40mph and its not so fun. haha.

amazing wat you can find on google, huh, mitco!!

[DEpointfive0]

Can't believe the guy didn't die

[Jordo!]

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

Can't believe the guy didn't die

Yeah, seriously. Testament to the roll cage, indeed

It seems that on automobiles, after 200 MPH, all the relevant physics go from a manageable series of problems to a generally catastrophic series of problems.

Getting and staying at or over that speed is tricky, keeping the car facing forward gets sketchy, and coming to a safe stop requires a writ from Jesus.

[theDreamer]

Originally Posted by Jordo!

Yeah, seriously. Testament to the roll cage, indeed

It seems that on automobiles, after 200 MPH, all the relevant physics go from a manageable series of problems to a generally catastrophic series of problems.

Getting and staying at or over that speed is tricky, keeping the car facing forward gets sketchy, and coming to a safe stop requires a writ from Jesus.

Yeah, this & other crashes have shown how well a good roll cage can save a life in motor sports.
It seems the past few years the crashes, at the Texas mile, have been more on the braking side of the run most of the time. I told a co-worker last year when seeing this camaro run that they will run into aero issues soon if they keep upping the speed.

[Haboob]

Originally Posted by Mitco39

When you get going that fast the air can do funny things if the vehicle was not intended to go that fast. The wind is pushing hard on the front of the car, but the back tires are trying to overcome that, so it does not take much to get squirly. Its similar to trying to hold a straight line while accelerating on ice.

The could add downforce to compensate, but then you also are adding alot of drag, and when you are going for a top speed run thats the last thing you want.

That would be pretty freaky to have it go sideways like that, I know what it feels like at say 40mph and its not so fun. haha.

Oh yeah no doubt. You can see the effects of a crosswind in that video.

Still, not deterring me from one of my goals: Drive 200mph+

Looks like a blast!