Re: Nationals Rolled Scirocco

[Shawn C Meze <skerocdriver@juno.com>]

On Wed, 22 Sep 1999 00:36:24 EDT Dsrtwnd16V@aol.com writes:

>I heard about it too on my local auto-x list.  A fellow Vdub owner that
was 
>there said it was in "pristine" condition.  D'oh!!!!   Supposedly he had

>sticky kumho tires & the pavement was warm.  d'oh2!!!!
>Dan May


Dude, that Was Paul Krucker's 16V!

Heres a copy of his post to the VW autox mailing list. In his own words,
heres what happened

________________________________________________________
As the world seems to be aware already, I rolled my 1987 Scirocco 16v
at the Solo II Nationals in Topeka Kansas this week.

After evaluating the car, and having 15hrs of drive time back home to
replay the incident after the adrenalin stopped pumping-- here are the
details.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Coming through "Squiggle Alley" on the North course, I was proceeding
as planned and hit my braking zone as planned in a straight line
between cones #144 & #145.  Car settled like normal, proceeded with
easy to increasing throttle around cone #146 into the right-hander. 
Everything felt good, I was looking ahead to my setup point for the
"Eve Turn" when with NO WARNING and a snap the car went over.  At no
time was I or the car 'out-of-shape'.  My only conclusion, based on
conversations with workers in that area from previous heats, coupled
with the fact that it was the last run group on the last day (read as--
deteriorating surface conditions), I hit a bad spot of concrete, or
dislodged rock/concrete which hooked a tire THROWING the car over.   It
also did not help that that section was slightly off camber with the
drivers side down.  There was NO mechanical failure as previously
thought, the damage to the right side strut area was from the impact,
the spring pearch is perfectly intact.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

I was unharmed, totally scratch free!  Thanks in part to the Schroth
harness belts, and some good ol' strong German A-Pillers.  The car
landed wheels down.  After a quick check that I was ok, the car
started, and despite a bent shock tower and 10 degrees negative camber
and 3" of toe in on the right side, I drove back to the paddock and
onto the trailer I fortunately had.

The car is for the most part totaled as the frame is bent up beyond
reasonable repair.

SPECIAL THANKS:
---------------
The following people helped get us trailed up, duct taped, etc.

Barbara Krucke my Wife
Craig & Gloria Carr
Robert Christmas & Wife
Josh Hadler
Scott Hearne
Cory Strickland
and the corner workers who helped remove the windshield
and anyone else I forgot!!!!

Thanks again, and I am already looking for another vehicle for NEXT
YEAR.  I think I will stay away from a stock class VW with stickey
tires and stock springs ~~shudder~~.

Otherwise I had fun, and the course designs were excellent.  Only wish
the concrete was in better condition.

Sincerly,
-Paul Krucke
1998 Beetle TDi
1987 Scirocco 16v ES#53 [Critical Condition]
1987 Jetta GLi
1963 Bug Ragtop-Sunroof
________________________________________________________


AND, he will be out here in So-cal in October for some autox action in my
DSP Scirocco. 
I think we should plan on doing a Speedworld Scirocco mailing list
competition on Friday the 8th! Were doing the school at Hollywood Park
all day Saturday, then sunday were drag racing in the AM and autoxing at
SD (5th run group) in the afternoon. Its gonna be a busy weekend. 


              Shawn Meze
86' Jetta GLi           82' Scirocco GTi
The Fastest, Quickest, Cleanest and
best looking Scirocco in all of San Diego!
http://www.Geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/1308/index.htm

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