SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1965 GT350/R-Model => Topic started by: silverton_ford on December 05, 2019, 10:49:42 AM

Title: 5R099 Crash
Post by: silverton_ford on December 05, 2019, 10:49:42 AM
This photo was just posted on Facebook by Chris Wiehle.  Photo taken by his father, Dave Wiehle.

Wow, what a photo!  I had to share it here.  I have never seen this particular photo.

Here is a link to the picture (you have to have an FB account):  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10218545899417834&set=gm.2935131383165329&type=3&theater (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10218545899417834&set=gm.2935131383165329&type=3&theater)

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/44-051219104905.jpeg)
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: silverton_ford on December 05, 2019, 10:58:46 AM
More to the story here:  http://www.mustangandfords.com/news/1708-shelby-crashes-and-he-walked-away/ (http://www.mustangandfords.com/news/1708-shelby-crashes-and-he-walked-away/)
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: Richstang on December 05, 2019, 11:10:51 AM
I have to cringe looking at any of the 5R099 crash photos at Riverside.
Incredible color photo.
Thanks for sharing for those of us not on Facebook.
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: SCJSTU on December 05, 2019, 11:17:16 AM
wow, that was a hard hit.....
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: BGlover67 on December 05, 2019, 11:31:01 AM
Total loss?  Quick Dynacorn body and you got yourself a genuine R model!
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: 6s1640 on December 05, 2019, 12:28:21 PM
This should be a testament that the Ford's design was good.  The passenger cabin is still very well intact.  With the right safety equipment, this was a very survivable accident.  IIRC, Gerber walked away.  Is that right?

Cory
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: 427heaven on December 05, 2019, 12:31:03 PM
He more or less hopped and crawled not too far though, it crushed his lower extremities. :-\
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: CSX 4133 on December 05, 2019, 12:49:50 PM

The Sports Illustrated article linked on FB.


https://www.si.com/vault/1973/06/25/614675/my-lesson-was-that-dead-men-write-no-poetry
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: 6s1802 on December 05, 2019, 12:51:35 PM
Similar to Alan Bolte's crash at Laguna Seca. He got tuned up pretty good too.
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: Side-Oilers on December 05, 2019, 01:39:31 PM
Quote from: CSX 4133 on December 05, 2019, 12:49:50 PM

The Sports Illustrated article linked on FB.


https://www.si.com/vault/1973/06/25/614675/my-lesson-was-that-dead-men-write-no-poetry

Excellent article, very poignant and well written. Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: acman63 on December 05, 2019, 04:14:21 PM
Dan tells the story that he tried to run and didnt do very well with two broken legs
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on December 05, 2019, 08:24:47 PM
Quote from: 6s1802 on December 05, 2019, 12:51:35 PM
Similar to Alan Bolte's crash at Laguna Seca. He got tuned up pretty good too.
The Voice of Willow's car wasn't hurt that bad. He broke an axle. He's got a great story. He broke and was parked off track at the bottom of the Corkscrew at Montery. His practice ended just before lunch and they decided to leave him there while Fangio made some laps in an old Alfa. While passing by Alan in a 4 wheel drift he looked over and casually waved.

I think I found the cause. These cars don't like Firestones. Donahue also had problems while using Firestones.
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: csxsfm on December 05, 2019, 08:40:33 PM
The white Corvette that hit Gerber's Shelby was driven by Frank Search.  I raced against Frank many times in my Cobra in the late 60's and he was known by all to be very aggressive. 
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: Greg on December 05, 2019, 09:00:44 PM
Did the car get rebuilt or scraped?
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: QuickSilverShelby on December 05, 2019, 11:00:42 PM
Quote from: Greg on December 05, 2019, 09:00:44 PM
Did the car get rebuilt or scraped?
Cmon.....what do you think?  It probably traded as a two owner, original paint, low mileage concourse gold winning car a few years ago.......right?  ;)

QSS
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: kranky on December 06, 2019, 12:46:27 AM
Alan's accident happened going in to turn 2 on the "Old Course", not at the corkscrew.
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: silverton_ford on December 06, 2019, 01:32:57 AM
Quote from: Greg on December 05, 2019, 09:00:44 PM
Did the car get rebuilt or scraped?

Scrapped.    See photos that were posted on the old forum.

According to the registry......   Parts from 5R099 went on 6S005 and 6S1570 and rest of the body was cut up and scrapped.
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: silverton_ford on December 06, 2019, 10:15:22 AM
This picture was posted on the same Facebook comment by Wayne Hill.

Wayne's comment about the photo: "Here is Gerber on the grid. I was there with another car. I saw the crash from this spot but had pit board, not camera."

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/44-061219101403.jpeg)
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on December 06, 2019, 12:29:10 PM
Quote from: kranky on December 06, 2019, 12:46:27 AM
Alan's accident happened going in to turn 2 on the "Old Course", not at the corkscrew.
Yes - but he broke earlier exiting the corkscrew.
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: Side-Oilers on December 06, 2019, 01:39:53 PM
Quote from: silverton_ford on December 06, 2019, 10:15:22 AM
This picture was posted on the same Facebook comment by Wayne Hill.

Wayne's comment about the photo: "Here is Gerber on the grid. I was there with another car. I saw the crash from this spot but had pit board, not camera."

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/44-061219101403.jpeg)

Is that the white Corvette to the right, that caused the wreck?
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: kranky on December 06, 2019, 01:45:28 PM
Did Alan's car break down in practice at the corkscrew prior to the afternoon's race (I think this is what you had mentioned earlier in the post)?  In the afternoon's race, Alan was on the front row and just after cresting the start/finish hill heading in to turn 2 on the first lap the axle separated from the Shelby causing Alan to veer right into the outside wall.....this coincidentally, happens to be the same area around the turn 2/turn 3 area that Lew Spencer crashed his Sunbeam Tiger at the May 1964 Regional races.
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: joephil on December 07, 2019, 08:31:44 AM
Other pictures of the crash  :'(

Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: Tom Honegger on December 07, 2019, 05:30:35 PM
I think this is the accident that Rick Kopec referenced when he was crewing for
a Cobra driver. Pretty interesting story.
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: silverton_ford on December 08, 2019, 09:47:39 AM
Here is another fantastic photo posted on same Facebook page.   Taken by Dave Wiehle

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/44-081219094554.jpeg)
Title: Re: 5R099 Crash
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on June 21, 2022, 09:35:44 PM
Quote from: kranky on December 06, 2019, 01:45:28 PM
Did Alan's car break down in practice at the corkscrew prior to the afternoon's race (I think this is what you had mentioned earlier in the post)?  In the afternoon's race, Alan was on the front row and just after cresting the start/finish hill heading in to turn 2 on the first lap the axle separated from the Shelby causing Alan to veer right into the outside wall.....this coincidentally, happens to be the same area around the turn 2/turn 3 area that Lew Spencer crashed his Sunbeam Tiger at the May 1964 Regional races.

Broke down prior to the noon time demonstration laps. I think that his, Lews are in the same place that collected Les Linleys MKIV.