Honda Insight Land speed record crash at 190mph
 

And he survives!

Watch this LSR Honda Insight crash at 190 mph in the desert - Autoblog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McJJeukIWSA#t=26

That seems to be the accident that happened just as we arrived. I didn't know it was an insight (if the date Nov. 10, 2013 is correct). We did hear that over the PA that he was okay. That's good news, and it's a testament to the great rule-making of SCTA that he is alive after a crash like this. Was a beautiful car.

BTW, this is exactly the scenario that aerohead says the rails over the rooflines of these cars try to prevent. Didn't work?

And in slow motion. It really gets me to see a thing of beauty be put out of commission. I had an accident in mine at 40mph where a guy backed out of his driveway without brakes and gouged the side of my car from the front quarter panel to the wheel skirt. So it also brings some flash backs seeing a model of car you own go through that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_-SW...mb4rZatuUSVrUw

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!!!

I think it might have been a K24, a 200+ hp engine (when it was stock):
Hondata Traction Control Hasport Performance Honda Insight K24 Engine 07 Photo 7

This has to the world record for the number of rolls. I think James bond has it at 6 or 7, and theres 9 rolls in under 5 minutes by a different movie. It's hard to tell, but i think he did 11 rolls not counting the flips.

Ouch!

that video is also a good visualization of wake drag and how the aerotemplate works

Absolutely, and in case you missed these photos I took at this same event, here they are, with several specifically featuring the vehicle and its wake:
Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - California98Civic's Album: El Mirage SCTA Finals Nov. 9-10, 2013

j

well, kudos to the SCTA for making that a story you can tell your grandkids.

While it's a shame to see the custom racing chassis masquerading as an Insight dismantled; with that musical accompaniment the video is elevated to an art performance. Kind of like when Ant Farm drove that Caddy through the flaming wall of televison sets.

How about those hood hinges? Both front wheels are gone and the hood inner panel is still hanging tough.

Just saw this in another thread. I can't believe he didn't snap his neck or anything. WOW

About a year after the accident they made a 15 minute documentary. Very informative. More detailed video and different perspectives.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TPqSqnpjTkc