jerseygator Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Folks, first I'd like to thank all who have expressed concern for my well being. Second I'd like to thank the gentleman that hit me for being a stand up individual. This was not easy for him. As bad as I felt, I became the celebrity. He damaged his car too, but became, "that guy"... I thank god that everyone involved is okay. Remember we had instructors in the cars too. Anyway, here's what happened from my vantage point. On the 3rd session of the first day, we both were driving very well out of turn 9 and headed up the "bridge" straight into the final turn (10) before the front stretch. I was on the line heading from the entry and had crossed over the apex. As I started accelerating for the exit. I was stunned by a hit from my passenger side. It was surreal. Spun sideways to the right and then back to the left as I went into the grass in front of the paddock wall. I had too much speed to stop the car from hitting the wall. Most the damage was from the impact of the other car. The front bumper damage is from the tires stacked in front of the padock wall. "That guy" told me that his breaks were gone and he couldn't stop from hitting me... So there it is. Shyte happens. I had a blast and would do it again in a second. So many of us, me included, only drive these fine automobiles on the road. You can't appreciate the capabilities of these cars untill you turn them loose on a professional track. They are simply amazing! They belong on the track... Thank you Carroll Shelby! Here's the pics... Before the sigs. After the sigs... Thanks everyone! My local NJ Stangers signed the front bumper... Team Shelby and other celebs signed the door... Steve Davis (president Barrett Jackson). He even wants me to send him a pic when I get it off the car. He'd like to use it for a story on Barrett Jackson. B) Jim Owens (Ford SVT program) John Luft (President SAI) And yes... I got back on the horse! Got a tech inspection the next day and tracked her again. As my good friend Gary Patterson says, "I had some damn fun!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blown Away Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Wow... Now that's a story to remember for the rest of your life. Glad you're OK Peter and the other guy is taking care of things!!! Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilmor Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 That is a great story. I had a couple of costly adventures in the past on the track (primarily Watkins Glen), but after the years past you'll forget the costs and feel great about the story you can tell...plus you have the added advantage of the Shelby and Barrett Jackson recognition - that's great!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT/SC2873 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 I was there and it was a class act by both....Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony356 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Yeah baby! Was fun. I'm glad you took it on the track in the first place to experience the thrill and learn to be a better and safer driver on the street. There is no substitute for proper high speed driving instruction and track time. Best of luck. BTW, I think it'll buff right out....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygator Posted June 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 So true. Thanks Dan, Bob and Craig... Yeah baby! Was fun. I'm glad you took it on the track in the first place to experience the thrill and learn to be a better and safer driver on the street. There is no substitute for proper high speed driving instruction and track time. Best of luck. BTW, I think it'll buff right out....... Tony you funny man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fcettner Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 True Grit for sure - Proud to be a part of this team! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Grey Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Glad everyone was OK. Hope the story does ease the pain - it is a great story BTW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpow96 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Best part of it all was the example Pete set for the rest of us for the event since we still had the rest of Wed. and all of Thurs. to finish. If something like this was not going to discourage him, then everyone else had no excuse but to keep charging hard at the track. So Pete, it was an honor to share the track with you. -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUFDRAFT Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygator Posted June 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Best part of it all was the example Pete set for the rest of us for the event since we still had the rest of Wed. and all of Thurs. to finish. If something like this was not going to discourage him, then everyone else had no excuse but to keep charging hard at the track. So Pete, it was an honor to share the track with you. -Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMcGuirk Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Peter, Great attitude from a stand up guy. I love the fact that you made lemonade and continued campaigning the car. MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J&DGT500 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Yeah baby! Was fun. I'm glad you took it on the track in the first place to experience the thrill and learn to be a better and safer driver on the street. There is no substitute for proper high speed driving instruction and track time. Best of luck. BTW, I think it'll buff right out....... Adams must have something that will take that right out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygator Posted June 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 Adams must have something that will take that right out. Well.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slabo Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 Peter, your great attitude is inspiring and you have turned this mishap into a special memory for everyone. It was great to meet you and I will gladly share the track with you again anytime. Thanks for letting my sign your car. Here are a couple pics from the parade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgoods Posted June 10, 2012 Report Share Posted June 10, 2012 Hey, Didn't anyone ever tell you that 13 is an unlucky #. Glad your ok ,parts can be replaced people can't!!!! Look at the bright side, look at the support you got from so many people in high places. Good luck with the repair. Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygator Posted June 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2012 Peter, your great attitude is inspiring and you have turned this mishap into a special memory for everyone. It was great to meet you and I will gladly share the track with you again anytime. Thanks for letting my sign your car. Here are a couple pics from the parade. Thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygator Posted June 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2012 Hey, Didn't anyone ever tell you that 13 is an unlucky #. Glad your ok ,parts can be replaced people can't!!!! Look at the bright side, look at the support you got from so many people in high places. Good luck with the repair. Ed :rolleyes: Thanks... I do count my blessings... Could have been much worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greaser Posted June 11, 2012 Report Share Posted June 11, 2012 ouch glad your ok and now have some sweet garage art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygator Posted July 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2012 Updates from the body shop... Haldeman Ford in Hamilton NJ. Contemplating how to take the door skin off. The body guy. Bill 35 years of service doing body work for Haldeman Ford. My baby's in good hands... Starting to remove the skin... The skin is off! Taping off the edge of the skin... Done... Preping the garage wall for the skin... Let the body work begin! The door is hung! In honor of Carroll Shelby... I think he would be very proud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greaser Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 looks great and great place for the memorial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygator Posted July 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Went and saw my girlfriend today. She's looking pretty dayum good! :happy feet: They were spraying the hood! Painted and repaired the rear quarter panel... Looks new! New bumper, lights and splitter. Without stripes... Front Quarter... Side shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygator Posted July 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 looks great and great place for the memorial. Thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grabber Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Peter, I'm so glad to see your car going back together nicely. Looking forward to seeing you at the bash next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJPat Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Peter- The garage, and now the car, are both looking GOOD! Hope to see you at the Wicked BBQ. Best. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seabee Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 Pete, Got some great stories to tell, some great art for your wall in the Garage. Even better to hear that no one was hurt. As my father said to me when I was 16 and got into my first accident. "Cars, equipment can be easily fixed, repaired or replaced; people cannot." It may be that I was driving a company car at the time (Dad owned the company), but he was a lot less mad about it than I think most would have been. Take care, wish I could have made it this year, but had to move down to Hell’s Waiting Room (Sorry, Gulfport, Mississippi; still recovering from Katrina). Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vapor08GT500 Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 Just saw this...sorry to hear about the mishap Peter, but you made a great thing of it and have a nice display on your garage wall now. It was great to meet you in Vegas. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygator Posted July 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 Peter- The garage, and now the car, are both looking GOOD! Hope to see you at the Wicked BBQ. Best. Pat Thanks Pat... Lord willing! I'll be there. Pete, Got some great stories to tell, some great art for your wall in the Garage. Even better to hear that no one was hurt. As my father said to me when I was 16 and got into my first accident. "Cars, equipment can be easily fixed, repaired or replaced; people cannot." It may be that I was driving a company car at the time (Dad owned the company), but he was a lot less mad about it than I think most would have been. Take care, wish I could have made it this year, but had to move down to Hell’s Waiting Room (Sorry, Gulfport, Mississippi; still recovering from Katrina). Pete Hopefully next year... You should try to make it down to the Wick Nationals here in Jersey on Aug 4th. Just saw this...sorry to hear about the mishap Peter, but you made a great thing of it and have a nice display on your garage wall now. It was great to meet you in Vegas. Alex Thanks Alex... Likewise my friend. Hopefully our paths will cross in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustangcollector Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Very nice that the car is back together and I love the door skin and stripes on the wall Pete. Looks great! Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygator Posted July 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 Very nice that the car is back together and I love the door skin and stripes on the wall Pete. Looks great! Matt Thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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