Ford Mustang Cobra Jet crash

[mindaz]

Mustang Cobra Jet dragster pops impressive wheelie, then crash lands. 
A video from inside the car shows the driver yanking the wheel in the air -- a mistake that raised the chances the Cobra Jet would bite in the wrong direction when it landed. Given that a Johnny Lightning Cobra Jet had caught air in previous drag races, a pair of wheelie bars might have cut down on the showmanship but also reduced the chances of having to straighten out a $93,000 race car. The driver wasn't injured outside of a solid hit to his pride.

side view
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_07GEGeLR5c

inside view
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms1HqsD8FCE

[mindaz]

some info 
At drag strips across America, there's nothing quite like the late model Ford Mustang Cobra Jet -- a purpose-built, limited-edition drag racer designed to give leadfoots all the speed of a race car with the durability of factory assembly. This year, Ford made only 50 Cobra Jets, the top version of which comes with a 690-hp engine for $93,000. One of those 50 made an impressive wheelstand at a Maryland drag meet earlier this month -- followed by a less-impressive crunch into the wall.

Prepped by tuner Johnny Lightning Performance, this Cobra Jet had been impressive in earlier runs at the ABM Nationals in Cecil County, Md., scoring 8.9-second 1/4-mile drags at what seemed to be less than full power. Likely tuned well beyond 690 hp, the Cobra Jet lined up for its final heads-up run when it hangs in the air off the starting line.

[Kevin Wood]

Hmm.

Money > Talent 

BHP > Talent 

Agreed that winding on all that steering lock while the front was airborne did him no favours, and his reaction speed on the steering when it went pete tong looked a bit glacial too.

[Lazydocker]

Hmm.

Money > Talent 

BHP > Talent 

Agreed that winding on all that steering lock while the front was airborne did him no favours, and his reaction speed on the steering when it went pete tong looked a bit glacial too.

Indeed... Mind you, he's only used to going in a straight line so how much experience does he have with the back trying to overtake the front?

It's a shame he put that steering input in while up in the air as that would have been a very impressive run (even for me, who doesn't really see the attraction of drag strips )

[mindaz]

gotta have the front wheels straight when they come down 

[Lazydocker]

gotta have the front wheels straight when they come down 

<Churchill Dog Mode On>

Ohhhh, Yeeessss!!!!

[omega3000]

Owcha , thats going to hurt the wallet 

[Kevin Wood]

gotta have the front wheels straight when they come down 

Yes, using the front wheels aerodynamically as a pair of rudders didn't work out that well.

[dbug]

In rallying first rule of flying hump back bridges is that turning steering wheel whilst in the air has no directional effect - until you land - then best to have front wheels ponting in the direction you want to go

[Kevin Wood]

In rallying first rule of flying hump back bridges is that turning steering wheel whilst in the air has no directional effect - until you land - then best to have front wheels ponting in the direction you want to go

.. and if your attitude is such that you can't see through the windscreen, the passing clouds are not a reliable indicator of your heading.

Time to cut a hole in the floorpan.

[dbug]

In rallying first rule of flying hump back bridges is that turning steering wheel whilst in the air has no directional effect - until you land - then best to have front wheels ponting in the direction you want to go

.. and if your attitude is such that you can't see through the windscreen, the passing clouds are not a reliable indicator of your heading.

Time to cut a hole in the floorpan.