Oh No Not Again….(Crash video Showcase)

[stitcherbob]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Just Paul]

That happened to my youngest son in his Jr. Dragster a few years back. He's 13 now, he was 10 at the time. It was his first year in the Intermediate class, which is about 8.90 @ 75 mph which is a pretty good pace for a 10 year old.

I noticed it made a pretty good wiggle about 60 feet out, then went right down and ran fine. I thought that was a little unusual for him, he's always straight down the groove. We got down to the other end to pick him up, and I asked him about the little wiggle.

My son very nonchalantly- "Oh, the steering wheel came off in my hands, and I thought if I could get it back on, I'd be ok. I didn't want to waste the run so I got it to line back up (hexagon fit) and go back on, so it was fine".

Me in partial shock- "OK. #1, don't tell your mom that happened. #2 If that ever happens again, STOP THE CAR immediately!"

Mom did find out, and to this day she tugs on the steering wheel as part of our pre-run routine.

 

[sutton]

Years ago that happened to me also in a front motor top fuel dragster, just as I pulled the parachute the steering wheel broke off. then came a strong o-dor in the car.
Larry Sutton---

 

[James]

That happened to my youngest son in his Jr. Dragster a few years back. He's 13 now, he was 10 at the time. It was his first year in the Intermediate class, which is about 8.90 @ 75 mph which is a pretty good pace for a 10 year old.

I noticed it made a pretty good wiggle about 60 feet out, then went right down and ran fine. I thought that was a little unusual for him, he's always straight down the groove. We got down to the other end to pick him up, and I asked him about the little wiggle.

My son very nonchalantly- "Oh, the steering wheel came off in my hands, and I thought if I could get it back on, I'd be ok. I didn't want to waste the run so I got it to line back up (hexagon fit) and go back on, so it was fine".

Me in partial shock- "OK. #1, don't tell your mom that happened. #2 If that ever happens again, STOP THE CAR immediately!"

Mom did find out, and to this day she tugs on the steering wheel as part of our pre-run routine.

This is wild. I literally had the same exact thing happen to me, when I was also 10 years old in Jr's.

1st round, Spitzer car, my left knee/leg hit the quick release about 400' feet or so, I had a steering wheel no longer attached. Im telling you, it wakes you up, even at 10.

I did not let out and won the round, stopped the car after the lights and reattached. It literally went straight the last 260' or so. My Dad also asked why the car moved a bit during the run

 

[Randy]

Here's Russ Parker in a nostalgia type funny car years ago when the shaft came out of the steering box. I think he bounced off one wall in the process.

Ever since then I always gave it a good tug before the car was fired.

 

[twostep]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Just me, I'm sure, but at first glance the picture of the video in the OP makes it look like a dog is behind the wheel of that car. I'm thinking, well, that's quite interesting.....oh no, indeed.....LOL

I've never had one come off in a race car but I had one come off of my 1962 Impala years ago as I was rounding a corner. Fortunately I was only running about 20mph and I got it shut down without fanfare. Shaft was fine; the wheel itself just came off in my hands.

 

[Cliff]

I saw the California Charger front motor T/F during a race at Lions. Steering broke about 1000' and Ramsey got it stopped OK. Still won the round.

 

[stitcherbob]

It’s the giving up and then trying to steer with the splined shaft that kills me

 

[sutton]

It’s the giving up and then trying to steer with the splined shaft that kills me

Bob
You never quit when it comes to trying to save your ass. I watched James Warren have the blower blow of (before restrains) on his front motor car and land in his lap and he pitched it out of the car at over 180 mph plus. They (we) were a brick short in the early days. Driving as long as I did, I am amazed I am still here to reflect on those days. But it was safer driving than starting race cars. I never got hurt in a race car.
Larry Sutton---

 

[Axman]

I seem to remember an in-car video of Shawn Langston in the Al-Anabi TF car having the steering wheel come off.

 

[stitcherbob]

 

[Cliff]

Didn't this happen to Cruz once? Seem to remember he got it back on & finished the run. That would scare the crap outta me. Worse than doing a driveway burn out & almost hitting the mail box.

 

[stitcherbob]

Didn't this happen to Cruz once? Seem to remember he got it back on & finished the run. That would scare the crap outta me. Worse than doing a driveway burn out & almost hitting the mail box.

Ummm....sounds like something you might have done lately, maybe?

 

[Cliff]

Not me....

 

[stitcherbob]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Sandman]

I seem to remember an in-car video of Shawn Langston in the Al-Anabi TF car having the steering wheel come off.

I'm pretty sure it happened to Kenji Okasaki in Jim Dunn's car too

 

[stitcherbob]

Here’s the outside view

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Randy]

I was trying to find it, but I couldn't. Wasn't there a run where Tony Pederon's seat belts came unlatched on one of John Force's cars when the chutes hit, and he ended up on the dash against the windshield where he couldn't reach the steering wheel?

 

[Cliff]

OK, new rule to get F/C license: what do you do when the steering wheel comes off at speed? Don't hear about this much with T/F.

 

[Gone Dead Train]

I was trying to find it, but I couldn't. Wasn't there a run where Tony Pederon's seat belts came unlatched on one of John Force's cars when the chutes hit, and he ended up on the dash against the windshield where he couldn't reach the steering wheel?