Crash & Death at the NOLA Wannagofast 1/2 mile today (RIP Jeff Hagaman)

[Zemedici]

I guess I need to figure out my wording because none of you are understanding me.

Since when did a 4k TV, an AR, a loud stereo kill someone? None of those examples are wreckless. I will add, no it is not your legal/constitutional right to use 2000hp on public streets.

I'm not getting your point.

The guy spent his money how he pleased, and it bit him in this case. He had tons of other vehicles, that had the correct safety equipment. The caddy was hardly a 'street car', like this GTR was. He wrecked the wrong car.

The end, there's no more to it.

 

[Brutal Metal]

I finally have time to write how I feel about this.


After the crash, on the WGF Facebook page they posted that the event was cancelled for the weekend. If you read thru the comments on that post you will find that Blake, the owner of WGF, knew about the bumpy area at the end of the 1/2 mile finish line. He actually warned everyone about it at the driver's meeting. There are also pics posted of this bumpy area and it's really bad. Like Treynor said in the normal configuration you would already be slowing down before this area to make upcoming turn on the road course. The way WGF set this up these bumps were at the beginning of the braking zone for cars travelling 200+. That's just ****ing stupid! We all know what happens when the rear end of a car get's light under hard braking.
.

So your saying a couple hundred bucks in ashpalt could have made the risks MUCH LOWER? Gotcha... That track might very well get sued then closed down

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

That's just awesome. I'm turned down to the 700-750 range as of right now, and I'm still king of the streets around here. At least on any given workday/night.

lol, ya I don't see you tripping over too many super fast cars up there just driving around. I haven't brought a fun car up that way with me in a loooooong time

 

[boduke0220]

That's just awesome. I'm turned down to the 700-750 range as of right now, and I'm still king of the streets around here. At least on any given workday/night.

Keep thinking that buddy!



and again, Jeff had Purpose built race cars. this was his street toy.

 

[Zemedici]

Keep thinking that buddy!

and again, Jeff had Purpose built race cars. this was his street toy.

uh oh @zhisel!

A new challenger appears.

 

[Brutal Metal]

I think it's safe to say A LOT of these 1/2 mile racers don't figure in the risk that could lead to death. For years guys that ran the Texas Invitational will drive with fricken t-shirts, sneakers and jeans. Not even an entry level fire suit.
Back when AMS was dominating the UGR Dweebs!

 

[Kiohtee]

Keep thinking that buddy!



and again, Jeff had Purpose built race cars. this was his street toy.

uh oh @zhisel!

A new challenger appears.

He would fair better in a Challenger, I know that much!

@boduke0220; shall I make the official SVTP callout?

 

[Zemedici]

He would fair better in a Challenger, I know that much!

@boduke0220; shall I make the official SVTP callout?

bet you wont

 

[Revvv]

View attachment 1517891

Indeed it is. I will more than likely step into it willingly later.

I rode my Hayabusa almost daily. My bike would easily run 200mph. Believe it or not, the power of the bike helped me avoid a few accidents. Without the reaction and ability of the machine and myself, I could be a grease spot in the street.

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[Revvv]

So your saying a couple hundred bucks in ashpalt could have made the risks MUCH LOWER? Gotcha... That track might very well get sued then closed down

A smooth surface is paramount to speed, and the function of a vehicle's suspension. A rough surface removes the ability for the tires to properly contact the track, road, etc. You essentially hydroplane on air.

So yes, the track surface appears to be the blame for this accident.

Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars have more than 10,000hp and hit 325mph in 1000ft in 3 seconds. 2000hp is a drop in the bucket. In a racing situation, both need a smooth track, and a well suited shut down area.

...and I'm about to hear about purpose built vs street, vs safety equipment. Track surfaces will be forgotten about.



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[Revvv]

bet you wont

...and here we go.

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[Russo]

i did 160 mph in a Ferrari 458 on that same straight. i wouldn't want to do 216.. RIP

 

[03Sssnake]

A smooth surface is paramount to speed, and the function of a vehicle's suspension. A rough surface removes the ability for the tires to properly contact the track, road, etc. You essentially hydroplane on air.

So yes, the track surface appears to be the blame for this accident.

Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars have more than 10,000hp and hit 325mph in 1000ft in 3 seconds. 2000hp is a drop in the bucket. In a racing situation, both need a smooth track, and a well suited shut down area.

...and I'm about to hear about purpose built vs street, vs safety equipment. Track surfaces will be forgotten about.



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I think he is saying a quick fix with asphalt would not have fixed the racing surface/shutdown area, perhaps it would exacerbate the issue. FWIW BrutalMetal owns and runs a Promod car, so he is definitely aware of the problems with bad racing surfaces.

 

[Revvv]

I think he is saying a quick fix with asphalt would not have fixed the racing surface/shutdown area, perhaps it would exacerbate the issue. FWIW BrutalMetal owns and runs a Promod car, so he is definitely aware of the problems with bad racing surfaces.

There is no quick fix for that surface. You won't find a disagreement here. It needs to be torn out, and a new surface needs to be applied.

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[blk02edge]

I'm not getting your point.

The guy spent his money how he pleased, and it bit him in this case. He had tons of other vehicles, that had the correct safety equipment. The caddy was hardly a 'street car', like this GTR was. He wrecked the wrong car.

The end, there's no more to it.

Im on board with that, i just dont understand why someone would want to when you have access to the safer way to do it. My guess is he didnt truly respect the possible consequences which is why I initially said I hope some people can learn from it. To me its like riding a dirt bike, I see so many people out there wearing zero gear aside from a helmet. Just doesnt make sense and I will leave it at that.

 

[earico]

So your saying a couple hundred bucks in ashpalt could have made the risks MUCH LOWER? Gotcha... That track might very well get sued then closed down

The 5"-6" deep washboard ruts at the finish absolutely played a part in his death. Just like Jeff's choice to not put a cage in that car. As usual, you take statements out of context to stir the pot. Read my whole post next time.

I think he is saying a quick fix with asphalt would not have fixed the racing surface/shutdown area, perhaps it would exacerbate the issue. FWIW BrutalMetal owns and runs a Promod car, so he is definitely aware of the problems with bad racing surfaces.

You know what the distance is at Royal Purple? 1/2 a mile. Same as the WGF NOLA distance. It's enough room.


Better question is why didn't Jeff pull the chute? That's the first thing you're supposed to do when the ass end starts to come around on the big end. He probably just panicked. Split second decision. He didn't have the luxury of time as all these hindsight experts do.

 

[03Sssnake]

The 5"-6" deep washboard ruts at the finish absolutely played a part in his death. Just like Jeff's choice to not put a cage in that car. As usual, you take statements out of context to stir the pot. Read my whole post next time.



You know what the distance is at Royal Purple? 1/2 a mile. Same as the WGF NOLA distance. It's enough room.

I didn't say it wasn't enough room, so I am not sure why you are quoting me and commenting on distance. The shutdown area at RPR is nice and I agree its adequate, yet we always have guys that run into gravel trap, on test'n'tune nights no less.

 

[Brutal Metal]

There is no quick fix for that surface. You won't find a disagreement here. It needs to be torn out, and a new surface needs to be applied.

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From what I read the shutdown area was very bumpy, if the track knew a high mph event was in the near future a crew should have fixed that problem. That's all I'm saying. Our local NHRA track Bradenton Motorsports Park had some surface complaints a few years back from high HP racers, they listened and did something about it.

 

[Brutal Metal]

The 5"-6" deep washboard ruts at the finish absolutely played a part in his death. Just like Jeff's choice to not put a cage in that car. As usual, you take statements out of context to stir the pot. Read my whole post next time.
.

I think you misunderstood my comment, I was sarcastically agreeing with you..

 

[Revvv]

From what I read the shutdown area was very bumpy, if the track knew a high mph event was in the near future a crew should have fixed that problem. That's all I'm saying. Our local NHRA track Bradenton Motorsports Park had some surface complaints a few years back from high HP racers, they listened and did something about it.

I agree.

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