Le Mans and not quite return

[listerjp2]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

I hope so to.

Will keep you informed

Looked at the first picture and an unprintable expletive was uttered........

Looks like you were both unlucky and very lucky there. Obviously unlucky to have the accident in the first place, nuff said.

Hope the car's a repairable.

[duncan]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

OK its been over a week now so I will tell you the story.

Firstly, I did finish the car and it was tested on the Monday and drove it to Dover on the Wednesday on the first part of the journey to Le Mans.

I couldn't believe it, I built it myself and it was a joy to drive.

Engine responsive, brakes great and she handle beautifully.

Got to Dover and luckily got an earlier boat.

Now at Calaise, we treked down to Rouen.

Beautiful drive and the car went well, I was now settling down knowing she had a few hundred miles under her belt.

Next morning last leg to Le Mans .

Again great drive, great scenary and the car felt very solid,

Le Mans Classic was brill and we stayed over the extra night to get out of the way of the mad dash to the ports.

Monday morning we set of the Siss for lunch, beautiful town and good food.

Left Siss to stop once again at Rouen staight road, very little traffic and then I found myself here:

[ATTACH]10191[/ATTACH]

After leaving the road here :

[ATTACH]10192[/ATTACH]

The little white dot in the distance in the forest shows how far I travelled before she stopped.

The next picture is the ungainly extraction :

[ATTACH]10193[/ATTACH]

And here she is with very little damage as far as I can see :

[ATTACH]10194[/ATTACH]

She's back in the country being assessed by the insurance company and waiting to hear.

Me, I have 4 fractured ribs and cut on my left leg which is infected so I am taking anti-biotics

Lucky escape really.

What next, get her back and rebuild/repair and then back on the road.

It wasn't her fault the offside front tyre blew out as it hit a broken bottle and I found myself in the 2.5m deep ditch.

I think she looked after me, also shows the strength of our cars.

Regards

Adrian

Hi Adrian

Can you remember what actually happened?
Did the tyre blowing pull the car sideways?
- or did it rip the wheel out of your hands and steer right?

I'm thinking about the geometry of the front of the Marlin I'm building - I may make some major tweaks

[listerjp2]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

The tyre stayed on the rim and the side wall was punctured.

As far as I remember I didn't take my hands off the wheel the car just lurched and once in the ditch it acted like a set of rails keeping me straight until It hit a lump on the right that nearly flipped her. At that point I took my hands of the wheel. I don't know how she did it but she staightend up before we entered the wider part of the ditch and she steered right into the woods.

I don't know if that gives you any information that could help you.

I have to say I don't think any geometry changes would have changed the outcome.

One of those freak things.

Adrian

[duncan]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

Thanks - that helps a lot

Some of the early steering geometry would pull the wheel out of your hand if you got a blowout
Sounds like the Marina was after they realised

thanks

[ggrum]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

Just got back and read about your accident. Pleased to hear you and the car are both repairable and hope it doesn't take too long to sort out. Its certainly another example of how rugged the Roadster is. I'm sure that, as usual, you will get all the help you need from the learned bunch of Roadster owners on the forum.

[kolmershlagjp]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

Hello
I wish you a good recovery
pity that this accident has shortened your holidays

[listerjp2]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

Thanks for the kind words

Just got back and read about your accident. Pleased to hear you and the car are both repairable and hope it doesn't take too long to sort out. Its certainly another example of how rugged the Roadster is. I'm sure that, as usual, you will get all the help you need from the learned bunch of Roadster owners on the forum.

[listerjp2]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

Thanks for your kind words.

I was on my way home anyway so didn't miss any.

Adrian

Hello
I wish you a good recovery
pity that this accident has shortened your holidays

[listerjp2]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

Car written off as Cat N.

Which is good news as it means the chassis has not been damaged.

Just waiting for the insurance company to come back with regards where we go from here.

Get it shipped down to my friendly mechanic for a quick check and replace the stuff he suggests and back on the road.

Won't be doing it myself as the fractured ribs are still hurting and I have been told they will for at least another 4 weeks.

And breath.

Regards

Adrian

[lizbillings]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

Sorry that the trip ended as it did. Hope you are soon mended and that you can enjoy some of the summer with car back on the road.
regards
Liz & Doug

[listerjp2]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

Thanks guys.

I reckon a couple of weeks and back on the road.

Regards

Adrian

Sorry that the trip ended as it did. Hope you are soon mended and that you can enjoy some of the summer with car back on the road.
regards
Liz & Doug

[meverett]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

That’s great news,
Your name is on the spare rear arches so when you get her back have a measure up, unless you decide to go for the cycle wings.
Anything else you need?

[listerjp2]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

Hi Martin

Thanks for holding onto the rear wings.

Might need a new nose cone?

Regards

Adrian

That’s great news,
Your name is on the spare rear arches so when you get her back have a measure up, unless you decide to go for the cycle wings.
Anything else you need?

[meverett]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

Sorry I don’t have a spare nose. Yours doesn’t look damaged in the photos

[listerjp2]

Re: Le Mans and not quite return

It has a split from left to right just above where the number plate goes.

Adrian

Sorry I don’t have a spare nose. Yours doesn’t look damaged in the photos