Everyone should read this, very long.... (archive)

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I have sad news to report to everyone in our family at ClubSi.com. As you know, the So Cal chapter is very active with get-togethers and runs. I'm sure you have heard of the famous MountainRun and it's little brother, the OrtegaRun. Well last Monday we had a rare Alaskan storm pass through Southern California, on the same day we had planned OrtegaRun III. Ortega Highway is known as one of the most dangerous roads in the nation, making it both challenging and fun to drive. Many people had a bad feeling about this run and didn't attend because of the weather. With the storm passing through quickly, 15 or so members decided to brave the elements and go for a drive. I gave the usual speech to the new people who have never been on one of our runs before about taking it easy and driving within your abilities.
As usual, we started our canyon run. A few minutes into the run we had our fist sign that something was terribly wrong. A member lost control of his car and crashed taking out his suspension, driver was okay. With four members staying behind to help the rest of us continued on and finished the drive. After meeting for a break in Lake Elsinore, most members took the 15 freeway home. However, four of us decided to drive the canyon back to catch a different freeway home. The first 1/3 of the trip back was uneventful with the group taking it east with a steady and safe pace. Once we passed through a 45mph, on to a 55mph we opened it up just a little. Slowing for a curve, I was the lead vehicle. I entered the corner (with drying pavement) at about 45 mph very
uneventfully. However, I looked in my rearview mirror and saw Black00Si, Brian, enter the corner way too hot. I watched him go sideways and then partially off road. I started to pull over so that I could lecture him on taking it easy, it is easy to underestimate the Ortega. As I slowed to pull over, I looked in my rearview mirror and saw his tailights flipping end over end in the air. I slammed on my brakes, flipped a U-turn and hurried back to the crash site. I pulled over to find Brian's '00 Si upside down in the middle of the road. His head lights were off, the road pitch black and the moon obscured by clouds. I ran up the road to warn the oncoming traffic. PeterY came around the corner, but could not seem me because I was also wearing a black jacket. Peter had no chance, seeing his reflection of headlights on the car, he slammed on the brakes, hitting Brian's car again. I ran over to Brian's car and saw him trapped upside down in the wreckage. Peter immediately got out of his car and ran up the road with firstnlast, Nick, to get help. Peter is sore but doing okay, and could use an e-mail and some words of encouragement, please show him your suport. you can only begin to imagine how he feels.
Brian was trapped upside down in the car for over an hour. I was at his side the whole time talking to him and trying to keep him conscious and still. I don't know if he heard me or not. The medics took 25-30 min to get there and the CHP an hour. The medics used the jaws of life and were able to extract him. He was pretty beaten up, but in relatively good shape when they took him out, chest seemed okay, breathing okay, could feel all of his extremities. His poor Si was bad, completely flat.
I am still reeling from it...still seems so sureal. Talking to him and waiting was the longest 30 min of my life, I can't imagine what it was to be in there. The human body is an amazing thing though. We all tought Brian was going to pull through, until we received an e-mail from his close friends who told us the chilling reality. Brian was on life suport, both arms and legs were broken, his pelvis shattered, and swelling in his brain. For several days now we have been praying and praying, but to no avail. God has decided it is time to take Brain to be with him, the plug on the life support will be pulled tonight. Having no brain activity, he will most likely leave this mortal world tonight also.
This tragedy should be a wakeup call to everyone out there that enjoys pushing their cars, and themselves to the limits. ClubSi has seemed to have more accidents in recent months, I believe the reason for the accident increases are the influx of new Si owners. While many of us that are veterans of the varios "runs", there are many people that just are not as familiar with their vehicles as we are. I think that they see the veterans moving fast and think that they can drive like that too, having the same car and all. They forget about driver abilities. The thing that gets me the most is I talked to everyone about the run for about 15 minutes. I told everyone not to push it and that this was going to be an easy run. I reminded them that no amount of coilovers, sways and tires can make the driver better. And we went out at a nice pace, nothing too fast. Trust me, I was in front and there was no racing of any sort going on. I was driving quick, but well within my limits, others were pushing to stay at the head of the pack. With the huge variation in driver's abilities, these runs taunt new drivers to push their car to levels they have never been before, thus not knowing how to bring it back from the brink. This was the first time we have had a mishap on a club event, to my knowledge. I feel worse than bad about the whole thing. I realized that people's egos get the best of them, and even though there is no pressure to push it, others will try. I wish I wouldn't have announced this run. I am at a loss of what else to say.

Be extra careful in your Coupes, especially the M's. It is a lot easier to loose control of a rear wheel drive 240hp M than it is a front wheel drive 160hp civic. So just be sure to stay within your limits.

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