Nearly everyone knows by now that I managed to invert my 'Blackish' 59 Beetle at the Supersprints on Saturday. What is perhaps not commonly known is what caused this to happen.This is straight from the 'horses mouth'.
As the original rear drums were worn in the splines, I decided to replace them with new ones for the Supersprints. This turned out to be a mistake, as the outside rear drum (brand new) collapsed under cornering load, and the result was a potentially serious roll-over. Fortunately, aided by good safety gear and some body strengthening, I walked away unhurt.
I am well aware that I was placing a great deal more stress on the drums than was intended by the manufacturer, but I feel compelled to bring this to the attention of my fellow VW enthusiasts.
Cheers, Greg
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
Greg,
Being there I can attest to the severity of the rollover. If you plan to rebuild what will you do differently? Convert to disc brakes? Install a full roll cage or do you think you will hang up your helmet for racing?
Not rushing into a decision. I think that I'll hang up that helmet.........but I might get a new one!
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
Glad to hear it Greg do you mind if i post some pics of the car here?
Not at all.
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
omg i got a sick feeling in the stomach after going though those photos...
thats crazy. Sorry to hear the bad news.
What did u mean by the new brake drum collapsing? It just fell to bits (collapsed in on itself) due to the kerb weight + g's & at the speed u were going?
scary stuff.
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!
The 'friction' section parted company with the 'spline' section. Don't know the reason for this, but I will be having it checked out by an expert. When I have the results of testing, I intend to publish them here.
Cheers, Greg
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
Yeah, not good Greg... "potentially serious roll-over" is a bit of an understatement !!!
Any chance of some pics of the failed drum ???
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You can see the smashed rear drum in this first photo:
ive got an up close one of the drum, will post up when i can, unless someone else beats me to it
Volkswagen Drivers Club of Queensland - member 🙂
STIDUB - yep its still a work in progress
Vwdcq club car racing/ and crashing while my bug isn't finished.
The above are personal views, no more, no less
Not to sound gorish but does anyone have video or pics of the roll over?? I was looking at the person who spun on the last corner when it happened and missed it
Ian.
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail.....
But a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "Damm that was fun!!!"
Glad you weren't hurt man
.
pic as promised, would also be curious to see a video, seems everyone missed the start of it
Volkswagen Drivers Club of Queensland - member 🙂
STIDUB - yep its still a work in progress
Vwdcq club car racing/ and crashing while my bug isn't finished.
The above are personal views, no more, no less
STIDUB wrote:pic as promised, would also be curious to see a video, seems everyone missed the start of it
That's because it happened so quickly. When the drum broke, it just 'dug in', and flipped. Even I didn't know what was going on - that's never happened to me before, thankfully.
Hope to get the offending drum tested soon.
Cheers, Greg
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
that is farkin scary,cant beleive you walked out like a superhero would of....
I'm glad you're okay. Thanks for the words of warning.
CT
esratrams
Hi Greg,
We were SO glad to see you get out and walk away. The whole racetrack went quiet.
I think everyone held their breath until we saw you get out.
It hurt to see what happened to your Bug. Its amazing you came out of that unscathed!!!! Will we see another Black 8 Bug???
Glad to hear you're not thinking of hanging up the helmet!!!!
HappyDaze wrote:That's because it happened so quickly. When the drum broke, it just 'dug in', and flipped. Even I didn't know what was going on - that's never happened to me before, thankfully.
Hope to get the offending drum tested soon.
Cheers, Greg
Good to see You are still with Us Greg
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
So this drum u are getting tested, if it was a fault with it, could u get compensation?
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!
I'm more concerned in finding out if there is a problem with these drums, than getting compensation.
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
RatBug on here had a similar thing happen to a rear disc on his buggy. No roll over though. after market job.
Jasmine the 75 L Bug
56 oval, 2000 New Beetle
if im thinking of the right one wasnt that one ^^^ caused by them being drilled for 4x4 6stud? without being thick enough for the holes, that comes to mind anyway, true about finding out if they are poor quality too, wouldnt want to see it happen again 🙂
Volkswagen Drivers Club of Queensland - member 🙂
STIDUB - yep its still a work in progress
Vwdcq club car racing/ and crashing while my bug isn't finished.
The above are personal views, no more, no less
That drum has broken during the rollover from side impact
not prior too
the axle is very bent
sorry if u disagree
STIDUB wrote:if im thinking of the right one wasnt that one ^^^ caused by them being drilled for 4x4 6stud? without being thick enough for the holes, that comes to mind anyway, true about finding out if they are poor quality too, wouldnt want to see it happen again 🙂
no it wasn't.
They were 5 stud falcon. as purchased from dealer
Jasmine the 75 L Bug
56 oval, 2000 New Beetle
no probs, wasnt sure if that was the same🙂
Volkswagen Drivers Club of Queensland - member 🙂
STIDUB - yep its still a work in progress
Vwdcq club car racing/ and crashing while my bug isn't finished.
The above are personal views, no more, no less
johny rotten wrote:That drum has broken during the rollover from side impact
not prior too
the axle is very bent
sorry if u disagree
I'm not expert but I did see the actual rollover and it was the passenger side that took the impact, you will note the fractured drum is on the relatively undamaged side of the car.
IMO.... for side impact to fracture the brake drum the wheel rim itself would show signs of damage. Inspect the rim it has NO damage.........if you like come over and have a look for yourself.....So for Greg to have driven this car around Wakefield for the last 3 and a bit years doing numerous laps with a race driver record well above par.......change brake drums before race meeting with new ones and have a result as you see leaves very little to driver error in my opinion...sorry you disagree
Greg, did you hear the drum shatter?
Glad you're OK 👍
