Boy how things change...
After Dobson pulled a double-stint, I (Johnny) was back in the car. We had recently changed over to the Hawk-blue brake pads, which made a big difference (from the Blacks). I had a new right rear tire and the car was feeling good. Then...
> At about 7:15 am, while cresting over the top of the very steep Turn-5a, aka "the jump", I approached a Factory Five Cobra that was being overtaken by others and going a bit slower than normal. As my car came over the hill, I went to the outside of the Cobra, into the slight right-hand bend before turn-6. The car just settled up and I was on the throttle hard for the approach into 6, side by side with the Cobra. Then, all of a sudden, the Cobra turned to the left... We collided and both went airborn... I was told I rolled maybe 4 or 5 times and the Cobra went over 3 times. All I know is that the initial impact was HARD and I didn't realize I was in the air until the first landing. The car then tumbled hard a few times and eventually settled on sideways on the driver's side, with my left hand pinched under the rollbar and the ground. Lucky for me there were two photogrpahers nearby taking photos for our team who saw me waving to them for help, came over and pushed the car off my hand. I eventually climbed out the passenger window and was attended to by the EMTs. Eventually, I was sent to the hospital for some x-rays and ended up with only a sore neck and broken thumb. The driver of the Cobra never saw me and made the left turn for an access road that was off to the left side of the track. Both of us were ok, which is the most important thing. Not something I'd like to experience again anytime soon...
This was unfortunate for the #19 team as we were on a charge back to a podium spot. We were sitting in 5th and making up lots of time.
The 55 car did finish the race, with Andy Bornhop limping her home in 6th gear ONLY... Sorry, but I don't know the finishing position off hand at this time.
AWR built some VERY safe cars, I can truly attest to that, so thanks. Thanks to Mazda for the opportunity and to all the crew that worked their butts off and my co-drivers that drove their's off.
It was fun while it lasted.
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UPDATE 12/6: photos of wreck at: http://www.kanavaskompetition.com/images/photos/wreck/
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