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Old 11-20-2013, 01:49 AM   #4 (permalink)
wmjinman
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Carson City, Nevada
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Jimmy - '00 GMC Jimmy SLT
90 day: 21.18 mpg (US)

The White Gnat - '99 Suzuki Swift
Team Suzuki
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I watched it a couple of times, and don't think it's a roof rail issue. When he first gets sideways, you can see his drivers side wheel(s) "dig in", which kick-starts a "pencil roll". Eventually, he starts bouncing and then gets end-over-end, eventually flipping up into the air a pretty fair amount.

One of the rules at Bonneville (I'm not sure about El Mirage, cuz I've never raced there nor contemplated racing there) is that your tires have to be pumped-up to at least 60 psi. The reason is so if this sideways skid happens, it reduces the chances of it digging-in like this. I'm sure the salt is much harder than the dirt at El Mirage, so airing up the tires probably isn't as effective at El Mirage.

Bummer deal - I hate seeing an Insight destroyed - - - well, any landspeed racer, for that matter. I wonder what kind of powerplant he had in there? I don't see the stock drivetrain getting him to 200 mph regardless of the superior aerodynamics of the Insight!!!
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