Typically autocross is relatively safe form of motorsports, with only real damage being done to the brake pads or the occasional mashed cone. Sometimes mechanical problems will plague drivers or the timing box ends up as road kill, like the incidents at the Goodguys Del Mar event, but seeing a C6 destroyed on an autocross course seems unimaginable.
Unfortunately, sometimes all the stars align, and a cold track, sub-optimal course design, and making the wrong split-second control inputs add up to major carnage. During a recent autocross event held at California Speedway in Fontana, California, a C6 owner was enjoying a fun day driving around the cones until tragedy struck. All seemed normal during the first part of the course with the C6 adeptly weaving through the maze of cones; in fact it seemed like a textbook, if somewhat leisurely autocross performance until the car hit a section where acceleration would normally be welcomed.
As the driver lays into the throttle and prepares to navigate the next section of cones, the car breaks loose. With the cones coming up fast the back end of the C6 starts to come around and driver attempts to correct, but in the end it was too little too late. Spinning around, the Corvette makes contact with raised concrete curb and catches air.
Even the sound of the collision of the Corvette versus the concrete sounds scary; it actually gives viewers a clue as to the force of the hit. According to the video description, the cameraman suspects that the combination cold temperatures and a fast track did not allow the tires time to adequately warm up. Regardless of the cause of the accident, seeing the passenger side rear wheel turned at a weird angle while in the air provides a glimpse into the severity of the hit. Despite the damage to car the driver is seen moving inside the passenger compartment and walked away without serious injury (other than to his pride and pocketbook…)