A Lamborghini Tale Of Woe In Laurel Canyon

Lamborghini nameplate script displayed on the back of a Gray 680hp Murcielago. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

A Lamborghini Tale Of Woe In Laurel Canyon

Today, January 10, 2010, was a day one Lamborghini Gallardo owner/driver (assumed) went a little off on one of the very tight and winding streets just off of Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills North and West of Los Angeles ... a couple of miles North of the Sunset Strip. The exact street location was not stated in the report posted at Jalopnic, but judging from the photos, the street was similar to Willow Glen (or Mount Olympus) ... way too tight and winding. Not a street to be cruzin' at about 560hp strength and speed.

Upended SAAB with the classic Lamborghini wedge doing the deed. View of the mishap looking toward the Southwest. Image Credit: Aaron/Jolopnic

The driver managed to upend a SAAB 9.5 (judging roofline and back door separator bodywork), throwing it into a Toyota Corolla which then was pushed into a Toyota extended cab pick-up truck with shell.

Upended SAAB with the classic Lamborghini wedge doing the deed. Toyota Corolla was pushed around with the front end off to the side of someone's driveway. View of the mishap looking toward the Southeast. Credit: Aaron/Jolopnic

Most people only dream of being able to ride in ... let alone drive a Lamborghini. At the recent Motor Press Guild's Press Day (actually held over a two day period) two Lamborghini cars were delivered for the gathered members of the Press to drive (the Gallardo) and ride (a Murcielago driven by IRL race car driver, Richard Antinucci). The driving was restricted to about seven to ten miles of street type of driving around Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, whereas the ride in the Gray 680hp Murcielago was three laps at IRL speed on the 1.5 mile infield road track - WOW!

MPG Track Day 2009 Lamborghini contingent nose to tail. The one on the left is the Blue Gallardo and on the right, the Gray Murcielago. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Video and still photo of the 560hp Gallardo "street drive" machine. In the street drive, all road rules applied. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Interior door jam of the Gallardo Lamborghini. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

The Lamborghini contingent was only available for the first of the two days, so if one was not early on the list to drive or ride ... one was out of luck.

The last three laps of the day with Richard Antinucci, according to Richard ... were the most exhilarating laps he took all day. He was able to reach about 160mph at the end of the short front straight-away each time through, before breaking for the tight right then left-hand turns to begin each lap on the tight infield course.

The Lamborghini tale of woe will end up costing a bit of money and time, but maybe next time the Gallardo pictured in the accident photos will be able to be driven by its owner at full speed on a closed course like Willow Springs International Motorsports Park or up north at the 3.0 mile, 15 turn workout of a road course at Thunderhill Raceway Park.

... notes from The EDJE



TAGS: Crash, Gallardo, Hollywood Hills, Lamborghini, Laurel Canyon, MPG, Murcielago, Richard Antinucci, Thunderhill, Willow Springs, The EDJE

MPG Track Day 2009: Along For The Ride

Signature logo tower of the Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, California. The track, originally known as California Speedway, holds the distinction as having the fastest recorded qualification and at speed during the race, speed records ... both records were established by CART IndyCars on the main 2.0 mi (3.23 km) "D-Shaped Oval". Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

MPG Track Day 2009: Along For The Ride

I took a ride with a photo-journalist named Jon Barrett around the infield road track at Auto Club Speedway during the recent 2009 Track Day put on by Motor Press Guild (MPG).

Star Mazda Series standout, Joel Miller of Hesperia, California, sits in the driver's seat (P1) as we check out the track and get some driving tips from a budding professional open-wheel race car driver. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

A carload full of Journalists ready to see the infield road course at Auto Club Speedway. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Actually, I was able to take several rides with people (journalists, and professional drivers) throughout the two days of testing new automobiles provided by manufacturers for the motor press writers to get to know, and write about. To be able to drive ... then ride, imparts balance and perspective.

Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

I write about the ride with Jon because this was a man who was prepared to document his experience through the use of a pedestrian style (nothing fancy) digital camera. He had a friend who had designed a specialized camera mount that employed a large suction cup to hold the camera to the inside windshield of any car Jon decided to drive ("guesstimated" cost at about $70.00).

Motor Press Guild's Track Day 2009: Every year, the Motor Press Guild (an association for people involved with motorsports, automobile manufacturing & marketing, and observers of automoblie culture) organizes a day on a race track for its members. /// The automobile manufacturers bring out many of their new cars, trucks and SUVs, and full journalist members of the MPG are invited to drive them on the track and on the streets that surround the track. The event is a great opportunity to drive vehicles that occupy the similar demographic back-to-back for direct comparison, to explore the incredible range of vehicles available, and to refresh one's journalistic memory about what's out there to meet the demands of a consuming public. /// Additionally, it's a fantastic networking and social event, a chance to see old friends and make new ones. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Director Of Communications of Mazdaspeed Motorsports, Dean Case (left), ducks in to consult with Mazda professional driver, Jeremy Barnes just before having me sit in the passenger seat for some "hot" laps around the track in the Mazdaspeed 6 Safety/Pace Car! Video Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

The car was the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR-Touring sedan and one of the more interesting activities a Journalist could participate in is to fill the P2 seat in a track test car driven by someone who is familiar with, and likes the car they are taking out onto the track. The process allows one the additional dimension to take in the emotional involvement of the driver, himself ... along with the behavior of the car in a road test stress situation in the many and varied corners laid out by MPG track management members, Don Fuller and John Dinkel.

Infield course a pictured by Auto Club Speedway. The course, as laid out by Don Fuller and John Dinkel, restructured some of the corners on the West end (left side of photo) of the track to allow the challenge of a double apex. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR-Touring sedan on the infield track at Auto Club Speedway. On-Board Video Credit: MPG Member, Jon Barrett (2009)

It may seem strange to say that sitting in the passenger seat was as satisfying an experience as actually driving a nice, road-worthy vehicle (many, actually) but isn't that the ultimate position a chronicling observer takes ... P2, with a view?

2009 CURB/Agaganian/3G Racing IRL driver, Richard Antinucci and NowPublic's Motorsports Feature Page manager, Edmund Jenks, after three laps in a $290,000, 680hp, Murcielago Lamborghini LP670-4. An "E" ticket ride to remember ... and Richard loved the experience too. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

For any MPG Track Day, being in the passenger seat is an opportunity and position never to be missed. It was really special to be along for the ride.

... notes from The EDJE