Siluro meets the wall at speed

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342
A track day gone sideways, quite literally. Gorgeous day, mid 50s, and dry for once! Not pushing particularly hard, but, on the exit of Turn 9 at Pacific Raceways, the track isn't exactly smooth, and that was enough to cause my rear end to lose traction on this gentle turn, oversteering directly into the wall on the inside of the corner.
The car absorbed the impact perfectly, crushing right up to the engine block, all airbags deployed, and zero injury to the driver other than to his pride. And a few scratches from the door leather that was blown out of the way by the door airbag.
Not sure how the insurance will pan out - I did have track day insurance, but rebuilding an 18 year old Maserati on insurance money isn't likely to be math that works in my favor. So will likely be looking for a new "fun car". 4200 / GranSport are, of course, at the top of the list, though I must admit a nagging sense that I should find something better adapted to the rougher tracks here in the NW US. Something with AWD. But honestly, the community here has been so positive (other than on the Boris humour page), that I want another Maserati just to have a reason to hang out here. We'll see. There's a GranSport MC Edition that's calling my name....

Below, a pic of the moment before impact. I'll dig up an "after"pic and post in the comments.
100011
 
Messages
342
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2004 Maserati Coupe “Siluro” the Italian Torpedo
1979 MB 450SL “Greta”
2016 BMW x435i “Der Sonnenmaschine”
2022 Ford Mach-e “Macchiato”
 
Messages
342
4ce10e93e49c98cf69ad480570a98032.jpg




——-\|/——-
2004 Maserati Coupe “Siluro” the Italian Torpedo
1979 MB 450SL “Greta”
2016 BMW x435i “Der Sonnenmaschine”
2022 Ford Mach-e “Macchiato”
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
Ouch….Glad you are OK. I suppose if you are going crash your Maserati there are worse ways for her to go. Looks like you had fun up to that point.
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,220
Sad to read that Tod, at least the airbags did their thing! Hope you get sorted quickly.
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,013
Daamn, shite, Todd, sorry to see that, but hats off for tracking it in the first place. Most of all I'm very pleased that you're in one piece.

The only sensible idea I can offer is to get another one and stick around here. Or get something else and stick around here anyway. Maserati ownership is not a prerequisite for being a part of this nonsense.
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,759
Not good news but at least your alright other than damaged pride. Cars are repairable or replaceable so onwards and upwards.

Be good if you can get another Maser but even if you don't feel free to hang around there are a few of us that can't leave even though our Maseratis moved on
 

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,102
Cars despite being desireable, they are replaceable. You on the otherhand are not, so it protected you well. Glad you're OK.

Time to get out the man-maths calculator for the repairs.
 

rs48635

Member
Messages
3,181
Chapeau - for track driving. Bad luck with car damage but you have survived intact. Looks like it might fix up with just panels? is the OSF wheel /
suspension okay?
Had similar events in my 3200 but only ever driven at Bedford Autodrome, so nothing to hit. The Mx-5 on the other hand slammed into wall at Brands. Luckily it just flattened one side.
 
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342
Thank you all for the moral support and kind words. Can’t emphasize how helpful this group as been I’ve the past three years of my maser ownership. Especially giving me something to do in the garage during plague times, chasing down the little niggling faults as if they were important.

Assessor comes on next Thursday. Things move slowly when money is involved in this direction . I’m not a structural expert, but I’d guess the front subframe and all attached would need replacement, and that at least some of those parts are made of non-obtainium. But will see what the experts find.

In the meantime… test driving an M2 this weekend to see if I fit and how it feels. There are also several well sorted GranSports available in my price range. Making the list, I must admit, is half the fun.



——-\|/——-
2004 Maserati Coupe “Siluro” the Italian Torpedo
1979 MB 450SL “Greta”
2016 BMW x435i “Der Sonnenmaschine”
2022 Ford Mach-e “Macchiato”
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
Wow! Chalk it up to experience I guess! Just shows that even good handling cars with the wrong conditions can come unstuck. Hope you can sell for parts and get into a GS! Sorry to see!