The FRS bubble bursts

http://autoholics.com/2012/06/17/First-FR-S-Wreck-643431?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=061712+GUNK+First+FR-S+Wreck&utm_content=061712+GUNK+First+FR-S+Wreck+Version+A+CID_2aabcb06f0734c07e883603847dfb07f&utm_source=CD+email+newsletter&utm_term=img2

Hey everyone. I'm the idiot that crashed the FR-S. Not really sure where to begin, so I'll start with how it happened. I was on my way to lunch with a coworker. There's a right turn I've taken a million times over the past 4 years that's very wide and has huge visibility, and I would sometimes get on the gas a little in my B16-swapped CRX through the turn. I never went over the speed limit, and I only did it if there was absolutely no one else around. Being a FWD, the front tires would break free a little and it would make the turn a bit more fun. Well, before leaving work I decided it would be a good idea to turn off the traction control and try something similar in the FR-S. That was my first mistake. I entered the turn at about 20mph, and halfway through it I got on the gas and I honestly can't remember exactly what happened after that. I remember being extremely surprised and then all of a sudden I was careening for a telephone pole, and then bam. I don't even think I hit the brakes. I must've hit the clutch pedal at some point because the car was still running when I stopped. Both airbags deployed. My passenger said he didn't even touch the airbag, I grazed it a little bit and it felt like I got hit in the face with a soft pillow. I must've been going 15-20mph at the impact. I couldn't believe how much the car just crumpled. I just looked at it and sat on the ground. I can't even describe to you the feeling of seeing it like that. I just wanted to cry. I'm 24 years old, been driving since 16, and this is my first accident/ticket. I was ticketed for "failure to maintain reasonable control", which honestly was extremely generous given the circumstances. I feel like the world's biggest idiot. I feel like I've shamed myself and done a huge disservice to the community. Sorry just doesn't say enough. I swore I wouldn't be one of those guys everyone was saying would do something stupid and wreck the car and drive up the insurance rates. Now I'm not only that guy, but it seems I'm the _first_ guy. Not exactly the best way to make an impression. I want you guys to know that I truly feel awful about the whole thing. I am truly sorry for letting my fellow FR-S owners down, and through making a complete ass out of myself, I feel I've learned a valuable lesson, albeit a hard one. I know some of you (a lot of you) will hate me, call me an idiot, tell me I shouldn't have even tried anything like that on a public road, etc. And I agree with you 100%. I made a stupid, stupid, irresponsible choice, and now I'm paying for it. I don't think any of you can hate me more than I hate myself. I hope I can stand as an example of what can happen even at relatively low speeds when you're being stupid. Please for the love of god don't be me. Drive safe, keep traction control on on public roads, and don't try to be Ken Block. Unless you are Ken Block, in which case, keep being awesome.

It looks like one of the claymation cars on the old shell commercials.

Props for stepping up and taking it on the chin though

So that makes it the FiRSt eh? :P

Did I miss somthing? Is this car the second coming or something?

Quite the drama queen ain't he?

That whole thing could be reduced down to "DOH! I berkeleyed up and hit a pole with my FR-S".

LOCOST DONOR!

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Quite the drama queen ain't he? That whole thing could be reduced down to "DOH! I berkeleyed up and hit a pole with my FR-S".

I enjoyed the subtle blaming of RWD.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Quite the drama queen ain't he? That whole thing could be reduced down to "DOH! I berkeleyed up and hit a pole with my FR-S".

+1

"Being a FWD, the front tires would break free a little and it would make the turn a bit more fun."

Yes, burning the front tires off while trying to turn is a real riot, whee.

Kid's a moron.

"I know how to drive this thing, I turn traction control off in Gran Turismo all the time!!1!"

If he was turning right and he hit the left corner, either he had a bad case of object fixation (and a crappy driver) or that car must be the worse under-steering pig to not turn at all and go across the road. I am not inclined to blame the car.

former520 wrote: If he was turning right and he hit the left corner, either he had a bad case of object fixation (and a crappy driver) or that car must be the worse under-steering pig to not turn at all and go across the road. I am not inclined to blame the car.

Sounds like snap-back oversteer to me. Agreed, not blaming the car, but it could easily have been too much countersteering coupled with failure to catch the return swing. Either that, or a simple right-hand curl that happened to end with the left front against a pole on the inside of the turn. But given the "careening" part in the novel above, I'll bet on snap-back.

I think he encountered one of those moving poles that jump right in front of you. I've seen a few of them in my day!

Any mention of how many dollars damage?

Ah the difference when going from an understeering FWD car to an oversteering RWD car with little experience.

I'd happily donate a few bucks to get this guy to an autocross. Anyone else chip in?

Sounds exactly why the S2000 got a reputation for being tail-happy.

Civic drivers didn't know what to do when the OTHER wheels were driven.

Nothing wrong with that car. It's just not idiot-proof. Two of the journalists spun it on track during our press event. I liked it – it was lively.

mrhappy wrote:

Drive safe, keep traction control on on public roads, and don't try to be Ken Block.

Do not agree with part 2 of this statement. If your driving skills are so poor that TCS is the only thing keeping you from a ditch, you shouldn't have a license. What happened to driver training in this berkeleying country!??!

Drivers fault for not knowing how to drive his car.

But correct me if I'm wrong here: These car come factory with the same low rolling resistance tire that the Prius does , right? Thats why they are so driftable and why they broke loose so easy on him?

Yep.

Javelin wrote:

mrhappy wrote:

Drive safe, keep traction control on on public roads, and don't try to be Ken Block.

Do not agree with part 2 of this statement. If your driving skills are so poor that TCS is the only thing keeping you from a ditch, you shouldn't have a license. What happened to driver *training* in this berkeleying country!??!

There is no training. Everything is FWD for "training". I remember taking out the old boat Caprice for drivers training. That car really taught you car control, even with the automatic.

There is no training anymore. Kids are entitled to their licenses when they're 16, remember?