Big crash at Autobahn Country Club South Course

Here's my accident from September 10th, 2017. It's really something, as you'll see.
A brief explanation of what happens: I hit the dirt coming out of turn 5, the car spun, went across the track, hit the tire wall and then rolled twice.
As for WHY that happened, I made several mistakes. You can see in the corners before the crash that I was struggling with grip. The track had slowed down, but I still had it in my head that I needed to improve on my earlier laps - despite leading the standings for my class that day by a very safe margin.
I hit the apex in corner five early. It's a very easy and common mistake to make. That pushed me wide, and off the track at exit.
Once I put the right side wheels off, that's when things went very wrong. Instead of straightening out, I cranked the wheel. Let me tell you, I was shocked to see that in the video. I know very well that's the wrong thing to do. It's a good lesson that our instincts can be different from our knowledge.
Drive the track consistently. Know what an early apex will result in upon exit. If you put two off, or four off, get the car straightened and collected. Don't force it. Learn from my mistakes. I know I have.

[@mewithapinktutu]

I was the corner worker just 10 yards ahead of where you rolled it. Glad to see you get out and walk around with no injuries! Be safe out there!

[@owensnicholas]

That station saw a lot of action over the weekend. I would be nervous to work it. Thank you for keeping us safe out there. :)

[@CountryBoyShane]

Give you a lot of props for keeping that cool after rolling. Good to see you are still walking around on your own too! This is Shane Gorski in NASA GL TT4 by the way.

[@owensnicholas]

The upside-down tantrum came after I cut the video. I have it, but I’ve actually never watched it. I have some memory of hanging upside down screaming.

[@rx8matt]

DUDE. glad you are okay. So sorry to see the car get wrecked, but it can be replaced - you can't.

[@frankmarsico5809]

Thank God you didn’t get hurt and you lived to learn from it!

[@ISpinUWin]

Wow 😮 thx for posting this. Glad you were ok!

[@owensnicholas]

I instruct for NASA Great Lakes. I felt strongly that I had to share it so more could learn from my mistakes. Actually, I should edit my description on the video to better explain what happened, instead of making excuses about 'trying too hard.' Description edited to make with the learning and the sharing.

[@DJzSith]

Holly shit! Looking at what I presume is a sunroof delete, you are pretty lucky the top held up as well as it did.

[@owensnicholas]

Yeah, thankfully earlier this year I had a real nice roll bar built into the car, by Scram Speed and Bemount Performance. It, combined with the other safety features, definitely saved me from injury.

[@WayTooStrong1]

Thanks for posting with the description.

[@mmafan2223]

Glad you're ok. It was easy to tell you were going to crash, before you did. You have to notice the signs and back off, give yourself and your car time to cool off.

[@owensnicholas]

Thanks for the comment. You're absolutely right. I learned a lot from that crash, and the one before it. I wish I didn't need such expensive lessons, but there we have it.

[@mmafan2223]

@@owensnicholas that's life my man, live to fight another day. Stay safe.

[@MuLife]

Glad you walked out without serious injuries !

[@offrdk5]

Glad to see you came out with only some dirty shorts!!!

[@martygt3357]

You need to slow down your hands at turn-in. Your turn -in looks like a correction for a skid. Fast and smooth.

[@HiFlyerr]

"Well you're done" xD Sorry to see the crash, it really sucks for that to happen on a track day.

[@owensnicholas]

Yeah, I got frustrated in the heat of competition. Live and learn, and thankfully I was able to get back on track with another car. Thanks for the comment. :)

[@ivochicr1]

Man that cage saved your ass!

[@swisher5weet]

I’m sorry about your car, but glad your alive. Before I buy any other pointless mod or tweak my car I’m getting a roll bar. Who installed yours?

[@owensnicholas]

A local shop called Scram Speed built it from scratch. They did a fabulous job and built it way, way beyond minimum requirements. www.scramspeed.com/

[@WhiteHawkHDGaming]

The guy in the e46 m3 also crashed there. Everyone makes an early apex there and goes wide

[@owensnicholas]

We had three car-destroying accidents in the same corner that weekend. I do wish ABCC would put some paved runoff or a big gator there.

[@speedweid]

No need to be out that far. If you are, you turned in to early for S5…

[@jordanbryant6642]

sorry but have to laugh at that comment when your upside down. ".....well your done" Glad your okay. Those curbs are brutal. I counter steer whenever touching them because they just send you sideways. Not sure why they chose those types of curbing for T5/10

[@yobanilandaverde5276]

Ahh nvm rx8, stay safe out there

[@anthonyhauser3467]

OH GEEZ THIS ONE IS SO MUCH WORSE

[@fatoputso7375]

Glad ur ok dude

[@owensnicholas]

Thank you! I am, too! 2018 went much better with my new car. No crashes!

[@fatoputso7375]

@@owensnicholas nice. Ill be at autobahn this sun for tsscc track event.

[@fatoputso7375]

What car will you be running? And good luck

[@owensnicholas]

@@fatoputso7375 I bought an already-prepared RX-8 race car with a bad engine to replace this one. I ran it all season, missing out on the NASA Great Lakes TT5 regional championship by only five points out of nearly 1,300.

[@lamboking8able]

I nearly spun out on that same corner. Thats when someome tolde its a common corner which makes sense. You're tires are hot and overworked by the end of those 2 turns off your not careful

[@yobanilandaverde5276]

Is this a speed 3? Just curious

[@VisionQuest057]

No it's an RX8

[@Dylansupraharris]

Sweet dreams

[@djsonicc]

Did you have a roll bar? If so, how well did it do?

[@owensnicholas]

The car had a very nice roll bar in it. I have little doubt that it saved me from injury, especially since my seat broke in that crash.

[@Rock7132]

"Well, you're done." 😅

[@owensnicholas]

And it was.

[@danlatu209]

Fpv quadcopter racing is much safer and cheaper to fix.

[@owensnicholas]

Believe me, this very thought has occurred to me.

[@danlatu209]

@@owensnicholas I have been itching to import an r32 for the last week. I need to stop watching grand tour, top gear and these track videos.

[@owensnicholas]

@@danlatu209 Yeah, you've got the right idea with drone racing. Stick to that. Much better for your health and wallet.

[@danlatu209]

@@ivochicr1 Engaging in a contest of speed? It is an organized sport with cash payouts. www.multigp.com It is both challenging and fun. Besides, I got out of racing turtles in my area, too many people were cheating.