Crashed my 2020 GT500 CFTP into a Creek High-Speed at the Track!

I join Shelby friends for a track day at MSR Cresson on worn Sport Cup 2 tires, using them one more day before replacing them for an upcoming planned complex track event. It was my 2nd time running the full 3.1 at MSR-C and it had rained prior to our first session, which made it the slickest track I have been on to date! The track surface improved on subsequent sessions, but the tires were losing grip as the day progressed, especially the rears. The mishap happened on session 4 and was captured on multiple high-def cameras. I went off track high-speed and into a muddy creek. It took some effort to get me out as I was pretty far off track with slick mud complicating the extraction. The video finishes with a synopsis of the event and lessons learned.
Ford Performance Corvette C6 C8 GT350 BMW Miata New Edge Mustang S550 Michelin SC2 Edge Addicts Carbon Fiber Track Pack GoPro 360 Max Hero 9 Hero 10 Track Addict iMovie Track Pack

[@AndrewMalkin]

Incident starts at around 11:10

[@kevinkevin7860]

Wow glad you came out unscathed! Kudos for posting and talking about it, gives others an insight to what can happen rather quickly. Awesome that you didn’t let it ruin the OIR experience. I hope to be able to make it to an event soon.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Kevin! 🍻

[@trackwrecka007]

lots of respect for actually using the car how it was supposed to be used.

[@masonboi97]

As a boat apparently!

[@acemcqueen806]

It’s one thing to use the car properly, it’s another to use it arrogantly. Shame.

[@Granite_5.2]

What type of comment is this, this was an act of arrogance for a video. The crash was inevitable n unnecessary

[@Callitwhatitis]

Whoever introduced that statement has mislead many.

[@Lethal_Venom]

wow that's crazy! Glad it turned out how it and and not much worse which it could have been. That's nuts how much damage can be done from just from going off track and not hitting anything. Glad you're ok and the GT500 lives to fight another day.

[@maintenancethrottle]

You’re safe - that’s Job #1! Sorry that you had a mishap, Tim. Can happen to anyone. Thanks for sharing this with the rest of us so we can learn. Glad that repair was “reasonable” and the CFTP shall continue on “eating” with the big dogs!!! 👍👍👍

[@rickdearmas]

Glad to see the car back on the road and with minimal damage.

[@whydontmynameswork]

Looks like you caught some curb with the right rear which upset the car initiating your off track excursion. Great job keeping the damage to a minimum.

[@DarthVader-eg9jm]

RESPECT. You're doing a real service to your viewers. The most common cause of crashes on the the track....besides stupidity....is worn rubber. I've dropped the PS2 for Goodyear Supercar 3s because they don't see to lose function so abruptly. Peace.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks! I drove on the 3R my last track weekend at COTA… great tire!

[@darkphase777]

cars come and go, respect for racing on a track with actual turns

[@jonathancannon6823]

Glad you and car are okay. Thank you for the post incident review and as always sharing your thoughts and experiences

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Appreciate it Jonathan! 🍻

[@CiastekD]

@jonathan car was totaled though..

[@shamrock8698]

So glad that you and the beast are good! Thanks for sharing this experience with us buddy.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thank you sir! 🍻

[@CiastekD]

Unfortunately beast didn't make it tho....

[@wakamotorsports]

Solid content. I appreciate all the camera angles you had. Well done. Glad the car isn't too banged up and you weren't hurt.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks!

[@GT_4life]

Glad you are safe and already back on the track👊🏻👊🏻

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Jim! 🍻

[@gardnercrane9185]

A lesser man would have kept this on the down low. Thanks for being man enough to help others learn from your own mishap. Glad your car is coming back together fine and kudos for using it for what it was designed.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Appreciate that! 🍻

[@evilluzion]

Paddled plate has a whole new meaning now

[@ArturoCortez]

Wow, glad you're ok man. Looks like the right rear caught that curbing and then it was all over after that. Cool camera setup!

[@DownShifting76]

Glad you're okay and great job getting back at it!

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Cliff! 🍻

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

One Sunday in the late 1980’s my brother replaced the front calipers on my 5.0 4 speed 1979 Mustang Indy Pace Car but we didn’t get all of the air bled from the brakes. Monday on my way to work I took the exit off of the highway going 50mph into a tight right turn when the RF tire locked up and my Mustang rotated 90 degrees right going into the turn. I remember going sideways at 50mph seeing the inner guardrail in front of me hoping I wasn’t going to hit it. I came to a stop with about 3-4 feet between the front bumper and the guardrail. It took several hours for my hands to stop shaking.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

DAMN!

[@seancolon9890]

Wow like you said this could have been way worse!!! Thankful that it was minor (but still expensive) to fix. Looking forward to more videos!

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Sean! 🍻

[@tinmannsx]

There is a lot to unpack from this video. You said the track got better as the day went on, which is true, it was probably drier with much of the standing water evaporating (due to weather and traffic). You also said your tires were getting worse, also true. Those really should only equate into slower track times (or maybe even keeping steady since the track was drier and grippier but the tires were more worn). However, the biggest contributing factor I see is that it appeared you hit the rumble strip while accelerating in a slight turn to the right and that upset the car big-time (and worn tires with not ideal weather meant no catching it).

[@mrxxx0]

I came to comment just this. Slick curbs after a rain storm and worn out tires don't mix. Inside tire on the curb started slipping do to the curb and the car added power to the outside wheel cause it to oversteer. Scary situation and could have ended a whole lot worse. Glad he and the car made it out like they did.

[@helleanor2262]

definitely driver error laying power on the curb and a corner. the other conditions obviously made it worse. but take it easy if you got bad tires you know.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

I’m glad you’re okay. My friend also went off the road with bad tires too on his 03 sonic blue at Willow springs. Had to repaint the whole side. He was on the last “trip” of those tires too.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Danny! It happens. Sorry about your bud. I just got home from a COTA weekend, which was a damn good track time!

[@JD-cc3tz]

Glad your alright and the car is back together.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Joey! 🍻

[@norcalzx3]

Amazing that you came out basically unscathed. Maybe I'll see you at the track sometime (I'll be at COTA this Saturday). Thanks for sharing this.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

I will be there this weekend too. My car needed lots of love post mishap, but it’s mostly back to all-good. See you at COTA!

[@jorgejefferson8251]

Your narration of the track conditions at the beginning of your first run is what I believe is called foreboding. Credit to you for showing it, I would have crawled away quietly and my channel would have suddenly gone as dark as my mood. And yes, in the end you drove it like you stole it.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

The track condition improved significantly as the day went on.

[@reaper8847]

Nice floor mats. I missed the sale which sucks for me!! Glad you and the car are alright!!

[@ShelbyFlyer]

I did the floor mats myself: www.fordgt500.com/threads/custom-cftp-floor-mats.197682/#post-2801561

[@The_Ray]

Glad you are ok Tim and the car is put back together.

[@CiastekD]

Doesn't seem tho

[@MCoupeMike]

Thx for sharing

[@WeBreakCars1]

That looked pretty gentle all things considered. Glad you are alright!

[@gmrtg1414]

I was thinking the same dam thing thank goodness the rain made ground soft.

[@robertrutkowski9368]

Hey Tim if your racing from a dead stop do you put it in drag mode? I always have mine in sport mode

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Drag Mode will give you the best launch and shifts. The rear magneride shocks loosen to aid in weight transfer. They stiffen back up once out of the hole. The shifts will essentially be old school power shifts as long as the steering wheel is top dead center. TC on is needed for proper launch control.

[@robertrutkowski9368]

@@ShelbyFlyer thanks Tim!

[@135taz]

I ride a sport bike. I don't know about the painted bumper on the track. But, on the street painted lines are slick. Especially when your putting down power or leaned over in a corner. Looks to me you got up on the painted curb a bit and if they are anything like the painted street lines---- Like Paul Simon says... Slip sliding away.... I'm sure worn tires made the traction on the curb worse.

[@Callitwhatitis]

Glad it happened to you and not some guy that put his whole savings together to buy the car he loves. Also glad the car is ok.

[@lawrencemitchell5983]

My one on track experience in my Mustang GT.....I left the road surface, got spun around and was astounded at how far I traveled 😷......bumbing up kinda gentle against a tire wall 🥲. As I saw pine trees whizzing past and getting closer I thought "probably shoulda got the HPDE insurance" 😌

[@SurfboardRecords]

great video

[@ddivinia]

Tires…every time I pushed the life of my tires, it has gone bad. Great video. What kind of camera are you running on the roof?

[@ShelbyFlyer]

GoPro 360 Max

[@three05.09]

Glad you and the car are ok, now let’s keep the vids coming

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thank you sir! The car needed some love, but it’s mostly good now.

[@XvSKINNYvX]

Glad you and the car are okay!!! What mode were you in? What TC mode were you in? Did you have track insurance?

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Jim! I was in Track Mode. No track insurance.

[@MikeWolf-427]

Wow, I'm glad you're Ok. I bought my GT500 to take autocross and big boy tracks but I just can't bring myself to beat up on it. I realized, I like driving it to JJ and church too much. :) I haven't told the wife yet but I'm looking to get a already tracked GT350 just for track use.

[@THEDriverMod_]

I love the gt350 more than that gt500. It's a better driving and overall thrilling experience, especially on track!

[@paulschmidt1247]

Super happy your okay and no major damage to the car.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Paul! 🍻

[@CiastekD]

Except flood damage

[@michaelgambuto4693]

Happy you are safe!

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Michael!

[@davidreichl16]

Glad to see both you and the car are ok

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks David! I was fine when it happened. The car needed some love. It’s mostly good now.

[@jrbecerra7895]

Scary! glad you & the car are okay !

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks! The car needed quite a bit of “love,” but it’s much better now.

[@gopaulsalick507]

Welp that was fitting for the name shelbyflyer

[@kristenmoon4405]

Glad you’re ok

[@2wdlol134]

Got onto the wet paint and had uneven rear traction. Maybe too little steering correction if it was possible to have enough.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

I found out later the track has an issue there after it rains. It’s the low point and water seeps up through the track there.

[@sublimegt500]

Sorry to hear this Tim. Glad you and the car are OK. What roll bar do you have in your car?

[@ShelbyFlyer]

CMS Motorsports. I have the install video on my channel.

[@sublimegt500]

@@ShelbyFlyer thanks! Checking it out now.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

@@sublimegt500 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXnHemumjMySjJY

[@TrackDayVideo]

unlucky man luckily that didnt seem too bad and this track does look unforgiving for sure in various areas... Great video keep them coming. Probably some mud, maybe some splitter repair right? you just reminded me I still need a rear tow hook ;) Once these 4klb cars go, THEY GO...

[@luisestefes3411]

Glad it survived! I've been a viewer since you were explaining how to track down your gt500 if it's on a train! You should've recorded the tear down of the front bumper as a time lapse!

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Luis! I have it all back together again and currently at a 2-day track event.

[@luisestefes3411]

I'm so glad to hear that man! Your one of the few I give credit for inspiring me to have a Shelby of my own! Not long after I saw your videos of doing the PDI on the CFTP, I went and found a gt350 of my exact liking! Hope to meet you on the road one day!

[@ShelbyFlyer]

@@luisestefes3411 Congrats on the GT350… great car!

[@ddivinia]

What mode did you have the car in at the time?

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Track Mode

[@spinnetti]

I never noticed there WAS a creek there! Not a bad outcome as "offs" go looks like. I think you were pitted next to us last time we were there (couple Audi's and a GT-R)

[@ArturoCortez]

It was mentioned in a few drivers meetings, but I had no idea it was THAT close to the track!!

[@jbraven32blum66]

Crazy video, I bet your adrenaline was flying, thank god your safe, it could of been a lot worse, please no more track days with worn out tires

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks! Yes, it was a wild ride. I’ve learned to go easier when tires are getting worn.

[@danielabbate9001]

Glad you and that beautiful car are ok

[@josedelarosa6449]

Glad it wasn't worse, especially you came out okay.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Jose! 🍻

[@LifeHackMEDIATV]

dang brother. I'm glad that you are okay most importantly .

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Chad! 🍻

[@ProCharged7.3Godzilla]

That could have been way worse. I am glad you are ok.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks! 🍻

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

Imagine if you hit a Bigfoot on the track, then had a bidding war on the Bigfoot body you could buy several GT500’s.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Man.. you are so lucky!! Just imagine, even a wooden post would have probably destroyed your bumper. A bit off topic.. how on earth do you clean the inside of your rear screen? There must be trick that I dont know about? I'm nearly 6ft and about 200lbs and I cannot get to it..

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Not sure what you mean by the inside of my rear screen… what screen?

[@NigelsModellingBench]

@@ShelbyFlyer rear glass screen.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

@@NigelsModellingBench Still not sure what “screen” you mean. If you are asking how I clean the inside of the rear window with the roll bar there, the answer is I haven’t yet. I’ll probably use a pole with a rag on the end when I need to clean it.

[@belminzvekic6]

Curious - why did you continue tracking it with a slick track?

[@TrackDayVideo]

training on a slick track is excellent for learning car control and hitting limits and much lower speeds to teach fast hands actually. Learn to drive in bad weather and it will translate to faster good weather times.

[@belminzvekic6]

@@TrackDayVideo Not worth it to me with a 6 figure car. You can learn plenty on a perfect condition track

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Track was the worst first thing in the morning and got better quickly.

[@TrackDayVideo]

@@belminzvekic6 if you plan to race door on door you will race your expensive track car in the rain so the ones who learn to drive in the wet will alsays do better and no you cannot learn the same on a dry track.

[@anthonylaudano9751]

PLEASE TELL ME IT DIDN'T DO ANY DAMAGE LOL I THINK YOUR FRONT SPLITTER IS PLASTIC NOT CARBON FIBER LIKE THE SPLITTERS ON THE FRONT OF MY SUPERSNAKES. PLEASE SAY NO DAMAGE

[@EVENMETAL]

Oh no! Sorry to see this, but glad you didn't roll and you're ok.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thank you! Yes, I was happy I didn’t flip the car or set off the airbags.

[@mikeyz1314]

Oh no 😱 But glad you’re okay 😓😓 and your car still in 1 peace ✌️

[@EnthusiastCarHangar]

I am sorry that happened. Need new tires on my GT350 probably.

[@kevinowens6681]

🙏

[@jimparson8968]

But was it slick? Jeez dude, we get it! Rain does that

[@seethesvt]

Ha! I have that hat. What phone mount is that?

[@ShelbyFlyer]

www.fordgt500.com/threads/what-is-everyone-doing-for-phone-holders.199523/post-2828297

[@lobbyrobby]

Man that sucks. I've never been on a track but want to take my 2020 gt to a HPDE. Slow and steady wins the race, right? Lol

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Robby! You will have fun at the track when you go!

[@strnqr]

Glad you're ok. Maybe it's the cam angles, but the track also seems a bit narrow where you crashed for this amount of hp.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

That’s the 1.3 side of Cresson, which we rarely run. It’s definitely tighter.

[@MrDanielnolan]

Do you always run the car in auto?

[@ShelbyFlyer]

At the track, yes… until the cooldown lap. Then it’s manual and avoid using the brakes.

[@MustangLifestyleTV]

Very strange scenario the way that the car stepped out. It seems like you may have not corrected enough when it went right. Seems like it needed much more steering wheel input to the left to stabilize it.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

The rear snapped out abruptly.

[@BillLaBrie]

Well it was fun while it lasted.

[@jbrous3602]

Looks like you tried to steer it back on the track instead of keeping the wheels opposite the skid(like on snow) and foot off both pedals. Then driving on a wet track? Even the pros avoid that. Love the content and the learning curves.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

The track was getting better as the day went on, but my tires were getting worse. I found out months later talking to an instructor that there is a problem with the track where I went off… ground water seeps up through the track surface there, which is the low point of the track. As for steering during the incident, it happened in a split second… the rear end snapped and I was along for the ride. I’m just happy the car stayed upright.

[@matthewbeauregard5057]

Glad it was nothing major and that you could walk away from this crash.

[@TexasHondaRacing]

I wonder if a miata got in your way.

[@patmason7276]

Have to know your limitations. Hate that happened. Need different tires for wet weather. Could've been alot worse.

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

The reason you keep your helmet visor down is so you don't drown when the C8 drives past you when your in the lillypads.

[@TheAllAmericanDriver]

Looks like it could have been a lot worse. I’ve been off track a handful of times in my GT350R.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thank you and yes! I bet your 350R is a BLAST!

[@brea2416]

GOD bless you. 🙏

[@TheMarkyGs]

I can here a lot of Shifting BUT dont see any hands shifting anything ?????

[@ShelbyFlyer]

The 2020+ GT500 is equipped with a DCT tranny.

[@LeadfootLou]

Nice to see you in one piece Tim. Sorry about the car.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks Speedy! 🍻

[@neilhale8626]

Good

[@kevinhardy8930]

You got more cameras than a 7-11

[@spoolin2bars]

Lots of comments about why you went off. It’s the same thing that happens when Mustangs leave a car meets and try to eat the crowd. In this case it was a creek. You can actually hear the tires break loose and the engine revs out. (Big woosh sounds) Then camera 3 shows the tire marks being left and smoke from the rolling burnout. Not lifting soon enough and slow with steering inputs sent you off. When the car is about to go out of control, you don’t want slow hands. Fast hands for the save. Look at 12:08

[@raionshishi8290]

Most car meets that had accidents like that were old school Mustangs with Live Solid Rear Axles would lose the back end from a bump or an irregular action like turning a sharp direction while adding power, those things react aggressively to bumps and the addition of power or slow reactions while pushing the limits, which then causes a loss of control which those drivers don't know how to react to or correct. They simply bought a powerful Mustang because it's popular, cheap and has a lot of customization. These cars aren't a joke, they are full of power and capabilities, it can sneak up on you and if you don't know how to handle it you're done for. Newer Mustangs Independent Rear Suspension are much better for these situations, but the power is still there and the cost is still relatively low on GT models and such, those car meets haven't changed one bit either, tons of show off with more money than brains. I rarely see the accidents anymore but when i do, it's usually because the driver made a dumb mistake or tried to show off when they don't know what they are doing, that's for any car really.

[@robertsmithUH60driver]

That may leave a mark😁😕😩😩😟🙈

[@stanglife8335]

At least u got like 10 more

[@sublimegt500]

Oh no!

[@ljcor1899]

Glad you are fine. Def could have been way worse…. Next time heed the track warnings…

[@coloradokid808]

Now you know rainy days are bad for racing.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

That section of the track has a problem with ground water seeping up through the surface. I learned this afterwards.

[@CoyoteAUS]

Like another comment, it looks like you lost traction/slid once you went on that curb. Glad you are ok and car sustained minimal damage.

[@brabak6894]

ouch....

[@a.wheeler7731]

Could have been alot worse. Try keeping advancetrac on if it wasnt.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

Thanks! I was in Track Mode, which loosens up the nannies.

[@Maxthafirst]

That'll teach ya to run on Michelin tires 😁

[@justinuchman9301]

built ford tough

[@ShaneSVT]

Drink a shot every time he says slippery

[@theariesexperiment4642]

That car sounds very lethargic through apex conditions. Even though the surface leave much to be desired,....I can see the car is quite responsive under braking and acceleration. I believe it could use a shorter gear. If it's a 3.73 then a 4.11 would actually save your brakes and give you more control. Just my opinion .

[@ShelbyFlyer]

No one has ever said the 2020+ GT500 is “lethargic.” It’s a beast!

[@theariesexperiment4642]

@@ShelbyFlyer It sure didn't look or sound like a beast. Especially as you drove off the track. I can see,.....that like most Ford fan babies,....your not able to accept some constructive criticism about your precious little Ford hype train. The fact of the matter is fan boy flyer .......is no matter how much of a "beast"😏 you think your little pony is????,......the truth is, that factory spec can always be improved. And boy could that sh_t box use it. I was simply suggesting a shorter gear as it will get your RPM's up through cornering and allow one to use that shorter gear to decelerate in and stay more controlled out of the corner. Lose that wussified automatic as well. So put that in your little Ford fan baby pipe and smoke it. And to be perfectly honest,.....I dont think "beast" when I see that LETHARGIC hype train getting gapped all over KZbin constantly.

[@IndyTiger1050]

Wow Goose, broke loose and wouldn't hook back up. I wondered about the tires since you said the track was better. Penny wise, dollar foolish. While new tires every track day is not cheap by any means. Your ALT view of what could have happened would have cost how much more than this event cost's. Not to mention, the car can be fixed. Sir you might not be so lucky. Best wishes see you on the GT500 forum.

[@xevious2501]

Not a bad ditch really, cant see that causing but too much damage.. and the creek was more like a large puddle that ACTUALLY was the best thing you couldve ran into as it greatly slowed the car down preventing you from going off into the trees. i would think your front splitter may have come off after hitting that initial mound of dirt. but overall i think the car would be pretty much fine. now seeing the end results its even less than i assumed, only the side aero broke. easily replaceable as wouldve been the front splitter. Ford was smart not making those things carbon fiber. knowing how easy they could end up breaking off. such things are to be EXPECTED. One has to consider any car that is loved and is fun and enjoyable will typically have one of those days. a little fender bender is always to be expected when owning a car, let alone a great one. if its not some driver error or some animal crossing the road, then its some idiot kid texting while not paying attention when driving rear ending you. All lessons i learned long ago with my Saleen Speedster. Par for the course i say. And oh... This is why when your car is new.. to make sure you aquire all the technical data about your car. all the suspension settings alignment, part numbers all of it!!! do not rely upon dealers or vendors to get such information rite. because more often then not.. when getting your car serviced they will not look up such specifications for your unique car like a Shelby or Saleen, and in stead use specs made for normal mustangs gt's and such. So your car would be setup all wrong drive terrible and is completely out of wack. One really good thing to do long before all this happens is to mark off all your suspension with paint. to know exactly how the suspension was setup in exacting positions. very important, again when these cars get into an incident and stuff gets knocked out of wack, upon repairs if those issues arent sorted out, the car will drive you nuts because you will feel its not what it use to be. same as when we injury our own bodies and cope with the offset.

[@ShelbyFlyer]

All good stuff… appreciate it! 🍻

[@bemo2222]

Bro with the gt500 price rn is over 89k I think it is around 100k or 115k

[@ShelbyFlyer]

There are 2 versions. A base model and the CFTP. This is the more expensive CFTP.

[@ALLKHEINZ]

long and the short of it is u used worn tires, poor choice, smarter choices in the future hopefully. lesson learned.

[@everythinguneed5210]

wonder if he could do it all over again, would he put FRESH tires on the car? seems before the crash, there were signs that the tires were already saying this would not continue to go well? lastly far as bringing new tires 2 every event cost allot??? trying to understand this when he has the type of cars he has???? money and logic should not be an issue here?

[@acemcqueen806]

Well good thing you realized it was bad conditions for track and did the responsible thing to save the car……At least the car wasn’t rare or anything……I got nothing….

[@tomgeorge9025]

It never pays to be cheap, It cost you more money 💴..