Posting this message in regards to the Flywheel explosion last Saturday by our HA/GR. I've never used the Jalopy Journal before and signed on just to post this. I was the driver of the car that blew up. It was the scariest thing that's ever happened to me on the track ever. I still can't believe the scope of what happened or how lucky everybody is that nobody got hurt or worse! Just luck and that's it. I was pretty stunned from the accident and not until later did the reality part set in. I had no idea that parts got out as far as they did and actually did damage until later that night when I talked to other friends that were there. We did have a very nice 1/4" steel ****tershield, top and bottom per the rules. Problem was that the 3/8" grade 8 bolts that hold the bottom piece on sheared away, letting pieces get out to the side and underneath. The flywheel was stock, but magnafluxed and balanced when we built the mill. It came apart when shifting to high gear. 5800 rpm. Homemade ****tershields can't be trusted obviously. that's why we have SEMA and SFI. As to the folks who's truck was damaged I am very sorry for that, If I'd known who you were at the time I would have surely spoken to you and appologized in person and so would have the track personel. Nobody from the track came over to see us either. Not to inspect the car for possible rule changes (which needs to be done) or to check on me or to relay a damage report. I don't think I was laughing in up about anything either, that sounds like drunk ********. It was a very grim event for me and I was just thankful I had feet left to walk on, though they were quite sore. I love dragracing and the fans that come to watch, but we all sign that sheet accepting the inherent dangers that come with this sport and have to live with the results, whether it's crippled feet or a broken mirror. I don't want people thinking that our team is a bunch of jerks that don't care about anybody else, it's just not true. It would be very difficult to live with the thought that I did something that led to injury or death to an innocent bystander, that really freaked me out. We built these Hambsters to re-live the old days, now we've experienced the old days first hand with this flywheel deal and I don't like it. I'm through with it, can't afford all the trick clutch stuff to do it right. Let us run automatics! And to the guys that said we thought it was funny, go have another beer.
Thank you for posting this. There were unanswered questions after this accident and this helps to clear the air. I was at the other end of the track and only heard about this after the fact. What alcohol may have to do with this incident, I can not say, but is pretty irrelevant in the course of it all. Messages can surely get mixed up, particularly in the heat of the moment, and it seems that is what happened here.
Unknown, thanks so much for posting. It clears up a lot of questions. A friend of mine blew up a clutch and flywheel that hit someone in the stands. It took him several years to get back in a race car. I'm glad he did and I hope you will again some day.
I was standing right at the fence when it popped. Scary stuff. Thanks for clearing up some issues. Welcome to the HAMB!
Magnafluxing will only show what is there at the time,(that you took the time to do this is more than alot of people would do), after a couple of seasons or maybe even a couple of p***es they can start developing cracks. All the sanctioning bodies don't allow cast fly wheels,and it appears that they will be required next year at MoKan. This is the fly wheel out of my 34 after 4 years of driving and yes a few p***es on the track. I did'nt have it magnafluxed and simply visualed for anything.I replaced it with another one I had but it'll now be getting replaced with a steel one anlong with a good ****tershield. Tim
Theres an awful lot of unnecessary drama about this on the board. The man who done it show'd himself. Its a roll of the dice going to the races for driver and spectator. You have to expect **** to come apart. I don't park or stand on the fence for that reason. If you are, you have NO RIGHT to get pissed when **** starts flyin your way. Like standin next to the pool and *****ing when you get wet. Especially with all the junk thats going down the track at the HAMB drags. I'm guilty. I was running a CAST ALUMINUM ansen blow shield. Junk. I also broke 4 stock 57 pontiac axles right on the line. Junk. Suppose they let go 100+ feet out......I'd be the hated, and i'd prolly hang it up forever if I hurt someone. This makes me think twice about running junk parts. I won't anymore. YES it ****s this happened, we all learned from it. NO it's not ok to get pissed at the guy and start rippin on his car. You oughta be thankful that flywheel didn't kill you.
I was standing about 15 feet behind the truck when all this happened. it's unfortunate that often times rule changes occur only after a tragic accident, fortunately for all of us at MOKAN last week, no one was injured. the topic of discussion about this accident, needs not to be who was to blame, and who wants to *****, it should be how we can move forward afterwards.
Why is it people have to put blame markers on everything. This is nothing more than a **** happens situation. The guy didn't purposely set up his car to fail, And it really pisses me off to hear people call UNKNOWN an ***hole cause he didn't go running over to the owner of the truck and say I'm sorry. I'm sure UNKNOWN was in shock as most of us would be, then ad to that all the people coming over to him and asking a million dumb questions. I applaud you UNKNOWN HINSON for coming on the HAMB and setting the story straight.
Thanks for the post answering a lot of questions. As a retired NHRA Drag Racer I have had my share of engine and transmission blow-ups and when it happens you have no idea where all the parts went. It takes a while to fully understand what all happened. Thanks to you and your crew for being stand-up people and discussing the incident. Welcome to the H.A.M.B. Hope to see you racing next year.
Hello Unknown Hinson, Welcome to the HAMB.. I looked at your damaged car, when it was back in the pits. Sorry to see that damage and hope you are fine now yourself. Is this your car? I remember looking at your cooling system on it.. Retired in Kansas City? I retired from EMC2 Corporation out on College Blvd.in Overland Park in 2005, and left KC.. Don't miss the traffic.. Hope to see you at Greaserama next weekend... Again, glad you didn't get really hurt with this mishap..duane (NM Sandrail)
Glad you came forward to post an explanation...I owe you. I had my eyes glued to the car when it blew..damn neart p***ed out! I was absolutely sure you'd been hurt after witnessing the top half of the shield flipping out and falling on the track surface and watching shrapnel come flying out. I owe you because as soon as I got home I found and bought a quality schiefer aluminum flywheel for my project..after having my stock GMC flywheel [370 Pontiac engine] magnafluxed, surfaced and balanced. It's gonna get hung up on the wall instead of being used. Yeah, the new parts cost me some $$ but I totaly LOVE my feet and my life....that was the 1st flywheel/clutch explosion I've witnessed and I hope it's the last. Thanks for showing me what can happen at no cost/injury to me Oh yeah, I'm also fabbing up a frame-mounted ****tershield as nobody ever made a ****tershield for my application....may make it from 3/8ths steel with lots of 1/2 inch mounting bolts...
Our ****tershield also mounted to the frame and was pretty substantial. The 3/8 inch bolts couldn't take the force though and it came unglued. If the bolts had held not too much would have gotten out. Next will be a motor plate/adapter and a Lakewood can. Lots of damage to the car now, lots of work to redo.
The pics of the part that hit the truck are from the clutch pressure plate... Porknbearner and I saw you when you were heading to 350 hiway on the way to Joplin. We tried to get your attention to wave, but like before when we tried, you weren't available. r
For those of you who don't know...Unknown Hinson is a vampire troubadour who loves party liquor and loose wormen. Welcome to the HAMB!
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