First let me start by thanking all the people at Columbus who came over to check on me to be sure I was ok and to express regret about the car. Also I want to thank everyone for the concern shown in all the emails and posts. I was overwhelmed.
There have been several questions about 258’s future. GNX 258 will be restored to near stock condition. I have talked to three shops that have an interest in the restoration.
Fortunately, I saved every stock part removed including the engine. However the task is great and we will be looking for exterior parts and some interior parts. If the car is complete by Bowling Green, I will bring it so everyone can see before and after. The decision to go back to stock was based on the fact that the Anderson Performance engine moved the car to 9.92 sec @ 137.6 mph which required more safety mods than I was willing to put on a daily driver. Obviously a decision better made at Bowling Green than Columbus.
And yes, Billy Anderson was in the lane beside me. He was quick to come check on me, but when he found I was ok, I seem to remember “ WHAT DID YOU DO TO THAT ENGINE?”
As to what happened: when people asked me right after getting out of the ambulance; I suggested a stuck throttle since I felt like I must have hit the hay bales at excess of 160mph. However, after the gallon of adrenaline wore off, I am convinced it was a Power master failure. The brake was like a brick, no matter how hard I pushed, the pedal did not move. The brake pedal lever was severely bent down, indicating I was still trying to brake when I hit the hay bales. Also, hay bale is a misnomer for what is really at the end of the track. The restored GNX 258 will not have a Powermaster unit even for street use.
My son, Steve and I will be building a second TSM car for race only. For years, Jack Cotton has said to use the GNX as a street car and build a race only car. Obviously good advise being followed a little late.
Thanks again for all your concern,
John Sullivan
GNX 258
There have been several questions about 258’s future. GNX 258 will be restored to near stock condition. I have talked to three shops that have an interest in the restoration.
Fortunately, I saved every stock part removed including the engine. However the task is great and we will be looking for exterior parts and some interior parts. If the car is complete by Bowling Green, I will bring it so everyone can see before and after. The decision to go back to stock was based on the fact that the Anderson Performance engine moved the car to 9.92 sec @ 137.6 mph which required more safety mods than I was willing to put on a daily driver. Obviously a decision better made at Bowling Green than Columbus.
And yes, Billy Anderson was in the lane beside me. He was quick to come check on me, but when he found I was ok, I seem to remember “ WHAT DID YOU DO TO THAT ENGINE?”
As to what happened: when people asked me right after getting out of the ambulance; I suggested a stuck throttle since I felt like I must have hit the hay bales at excess of 160mph. However, after the gallon of adrenaline wore off, I am convinced it was a Power master failure. The brake was like a brick, no matter how hard I pushed, the pedal did not move. The brake pedal lever was severely bent down, indicating I was still trying to brake when I hit the hay bales. Also, hay bale is a misnomer for what is really at the end of the track. The restored GNX 258 will not have a Powermaster unit even for street use.
My son, Steve and I will be building a second TSM car for race only. For years, Jack Cotton has said to use the GNX as a street car and build a race only car. Obviously good advise being followed a little late.
Thanks again for all your concern,
John Sullivan
GNX 258
