Major Incident @ Track

[PEI330Ci]

Earlier this evening, I was involved in a major incident with my 330Ci at the race track.

I ended up going to the hospital with second degree burns on my face, right wrist, and left upper arm.

I credit my being able to type this with wearing a full fire suit, fire boots, gloves, full faced helmet, and a fireproof neck brace. Having practiced getting out of my car quickly with all of this gear on, also was of great benefit.

The actual incident started with the engine compartment erupting into flames while I was going somewhere over 90 MPH down the 1/4 mile. The back end of the car got extremely loose, and I shut the ignition and all electronics down as I kept the car going straight while hard on the brakes. By the time I brought the car to a stop off the side of the track, the fire had intensified greatly, and was starting to come into the passenger cabin. I hit the fire supression button, then realized as nothing happened that I had forgotten to arm the system before the run. I undid my 6 point harness and reached over to the controller to arm the system just as the dash burst into flames.

I hit the activation and nothing happened.

At this point I could hear the nitrous lines hissing in the engine compartment so I reached over and shut the valves on both bottles, which in hind sight was a mistake. It wasted over 5 seconds of time.

At that point, the fire seemed to roar into my face, and I dropped the window net and started crawling out of the car. What had happened was that the biker I was running against had stopped and come back to help. The fire had flared up when he opened the door...but he still managed to grab onto me and haul me out onto the ground. All I remember at that point was feeling heat on my legs and the biker was rolling me on the ground saying "your on fire". Then I looked at my legs and the fire was out....

I remember him saying "we've got to get away from the car" so I followed him in a daze.

The next thing I know I'm with a medic 50m away from the car, and the track officials are clearing us back further away from the car as the flames and smoke continued to intensify.

That was the last time I saw my car.....as from there I was taken to the hospital.

Now I'm awake with the incident replaying over and over in my mind as I piece together everything that happened. (The burns are keeping me awake)

I am confident that I've got the exact cause figured out, despite that fact that my laptop and data-logger were burned in the car.

The cause was not the nitrous system, but a number of mistakes that I made while at the track that resulted in the engine being hurt, and then I ignored the symptoms. The end result was an engine that let go about half track, taking the rest of the car with it and nearly the driver as well.

Once I get the remains of the car back to the shop, I'll be tearing what's left of it down to see what exactly happened....but for the moment I'm just happy to be alive.

Back to applying polysporin on stuff,

Adam

[jrotax101]

good luck with your recovery

[boosted 528]

Nooo way!!!! This is the last thing I wanna see on bimmerforums or to anybody at that.. Well the good thing is that your alive. Get some rest and relax. Once you feel better then you can think about the car...

[SiGmA]

Holy shit. I'm glad your alive and I wish you a speedy recovery. This beer (I'm having beers with my bro Adam who had a black 01 330Ci too) is for you!

So what happened?!

[jfdmas]

wow, im sorry to hear this. But your OK and thats all that matters. Hopefully the burns will heal in no time. Theres alota risk taken everytime we make a pass down the 1320.

The motor was hurt and caused the fire?

wow. after reading this i dont have 1/2 the safety equip that you have and you still got injured. I may have to invest in some more safety equipment if i wanna stay alive. This is a eye opener.

[lifeiskaos]

i'm so sorry dude. good luck.

[Mad Dog 20/20]

Wow. Sorry to hear this and glad you are "OK".

Mad crazy kudos to the biker guy who rode back to extract you from the flames. Very brave and very cool. A true hero.

[Tchao]

Originally Posted by Mr Deagle

Oh no, why are you using deans? Those are radio control connectors! Totally not meant for an automotive enviroment!

[davidtm5]

hope you get well soon

[99MPower]

holy shiet.... glad you are ok.... and good luck with your recovery

[99GREENM3]

+1 Glad your ok

[biglou911]

daaaaaaaaaaamn thats crazy , i hope you get better !!!!
Good luck !!

[onig]

Oh man Adam I'm so sorry to hear.
Good thing you're alive , it could've been worse indeed.
I wish you a very fast recovery and hope the car is some how repairable.
All the best bro

[MikeE36]

Very sorry to hear, your build has been an inspiration with its immense detail and cleanliness. Please inform us when you know the cause of the fire; i'm very interested to know.

Glad you're ok. Cars can be replaced, lives cannot.

Mike

[Kaiv]

Crazy story, what a nightmare

I'd love to know what went wrong, what was the cause of this incident though.

Good luck, hope you recover fast.

[DUDMD]

Good thing it was at a track where it's safe from innocent bystander and medics were on sight.
Getting burned car or yourself always sucks, but good luck to you recovering both yourself and your car.

[futureroadracer]

WOW! Glad you are OK. That really, really sucks! Hope you recover quickly!

[bmwquick]

So was the fire supression system faulty? You said it didn't go off even after you had quickly armed it. get well soon, though.

[AC330Ci]

I've been following your car build for the last two years. It pains me to hear about your incident. Good thing is that you are alive. I wish you a speedy recovery. Hope your car is salvageable.

[Grimmjar]

i was waiting till you say it´s all a joke but it isn´t!

i wish you all the best Adam!



Thomas

[racer m]

I have had several experiences at the track but nothing like that. get well soon!

[Black Mamba]

A car can be replaced, your live cant, I'm glad you make it out of the car, Even though a multiple combination of events turned into the worst scenario, you were prepared and most important...dressed for the ocation!

wish you a fast recovery.

[Synthetic Darkness]

That's pretty wild. Glad you made it out alive. Keep us updated.

[ramzisleiman]

good luck with your recovery and ur car! sorry to hear that

[a32guy]

Very sorry to hear about this. Makes me think about fire suppression a whole lot more....

I wish you a speedy and full recovery, best of luck with the process.

Chris