Debunking Misinformation Surrounding the Paul Walker Porsche Carrera GT Crash

"MotoArigato" (MotoArigato) 12/02/2013 at 15:12 • Filed to: paul walker, roger rodas, accident, death, died, crash, photos, location, myth, fuel tank, carrera gt, porsche, gas tank, Always Evolving, santa clarita, valencia

13

22

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

When tragedy strikes in this age of instantaneous information we can usually bet on one thing, armchair detectives. Looking back at the folly of split-second assumptions and the ability for anyone to go online and post their hypothesis, valid or purely made-up, is something we will probably just have to get used to. In the case of the tragic death of Paul Walker however, we have at least enough factual information about the car he died in to help dispel some of the rumors and misinformation that has been seen in the media, even by some "reputable" outlets.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Assumption: The location of the fuel tank caused the deaths.
The facts: This may very well be true but we will get to that in a moment. At present, some less responsible !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! are speculating that the fuel tank's location, in front of the passenger compartment's footwell, may have made it impossible for the two men to be saved. The error here is that the fuel tank on a Carrera GT (which can cost over $15,000 for the part alone) is not in the footwell but rather in the bulkhead immediately behind the driver and passenger, and in front of the engine, which is in the rear on this car. We believe the nomenclature "Carrera" has confused non-automotive types to assume it's a 911, GT2, GT3, etc. Owing to the logic that the ruptured tank may have contributed significantly to the inability of rescuers to remove the men, this is indeed possible due to the location of the tank. The GT, according to at least one report and evident from crash scene photos, hit the light pole and trees on it's passenger side, the seat Walker was occupying, and thus likely ruptured the tank allowing the fuel to splash into the passenger compartment due to forward momentum.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The tank was actually placed here to not only help make it more durable in the event of a crash, but primarily for the sake of neutral balance, as the car was originally built to compete in a racing series who's rule changes prevented it from ever actually participating in the intended races. If the tank were placed fore or aft, like in most cars, the weight distribution would change throughout a race due to the end of the car containing the tank becoming lighter as fuel burns off.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Assumption: The driver had no business being behind the wheel of such a powerful car.
The facts: Roger Rodas was not only the proprietor of Always Evolving Performance Motors...

Full story continues at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

For Sweden > MotoArigato 12/02/2013 at 15:17

2

Actual take away:

Don't drive like an asshat in a parking lot that's being used as a parking lot.

MotoArigato > For Sweden 12/02/2013 at 15:31

0

It was technically a surface street in an industrial park, but your point remains should negligence pan out as the cause. (I'll edit the post to include a google maps link to the accident site.)

dwayne1957 > MotoArigato 12/02/2013 at 19:01

1

the missing point in this tragedy is the fact that the driver could have also taken innocent lives if he would have impacted another vehicle on the street. This was a charity event with literally hundreds of innocent people around. Professional drivers should never feel the need to "show off".

MotoArigato > dwayne1957 12/02/2013 at 19:54

2

I do see your point but maybe it's my family's background in Law Enforcement that causes me to not judge a situation until the facts are known. If the driver was being reckless, I agree with your statements, but there have also been eyewitnesses who say the car was not speeding at all, I just prefer to wait until the investigation is completed to influence my opinion. Right now, to suggest the driver was showing off, is speculation.

meridian75 > MotoArigato 12/02/2013 at 20:16

2

It's fascinating reading comments made by an "enthusiast", who is part of a culture where "we inadvertently let a car get out of hand, perhaps due to simple ignorance about it's capabilities". In the real world that's called "irresponsible, reckless driving". Wait for all the facts you want (or wish to manipulate to make your points), but the fact remains that fatal crashes on this level have been proven again and again to be due to reckless high speeds. The tree was the only witness. And it don't lie. RIP Paul and Roger. Tragic event nonetheless.

Perhaps you should use this event to highlight the dangers to those fellow enthusiasts who can avoid a similar fate.

MotoArigato > meridian75 12/02/2013 at 20:35

1

I am simply admitting that I am imperfect, but perhaps you have never slid on ice or lost traction on a curve but I don't now anyone who has never made a mistake while driving that could have gone either way. You are 100% correct that this, and any tragedy, can and should be an opportunity to learn, and in fact the point of my article as well as this continued debate in the comments is to show how presumption, speculation and sheer guesswork can have real, genuine, harmful affects on the people who are affected the most, in the real world not in some internet chat, the friends and families of these two individuals.

By the way, you may have missed my reply to another poster:

This was just posted here : "NBC News reports that the Carrera GT was traveling 40 to 45 mph when it came to a bend in the road where the speed limit drops to about 15 mph. That's where Rodas apparently lost control of the car, sources told the news network."

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Floyd Henderson > MotoArigato 12/02/2013 at 21:18

1

What the man is trying to say is that we're only humans; we aren't perfect. Also, what he meant by enthusiasts getting out of control, he meant that no matter how experienced a driver you are, things can go wrong, and sometimes we don't know the limit and we want to find out. And even if the man got 13-15 or lower or whatever, he's an experienced driver and deserves respect nonetheless. You aren't a race car driver, and we all make mistakes, it's the human nature. What's done is done, and judging others so much and being so critical of the events won't change anything. Hell, the man is probably rolled up in a ball in heaven right now, crying. Wouldn't you? Wouldn't you want to be forgiven instead of be blamed for everything? Whats done is done, yes it's sad, but get over it and stop trying to find someone to blame.

MotoArigato > Floyd Henderson 12/02/2013 at 22:48

1

Hi, I believe you intended this for the person I was debating as you and I share the same view it seems.

Krieger (@FSKrieger22) > MotoArigato 12/02/2013 at 23:33

0

On a more curious note, does the Carrera GT have self-sealing fuel tank(s)? While I'm aware that most FP commentors are misinformed at best, and that self-sealing fuel tanks can fail regardless, does it have those?

MotoArigato > Krieger (@FSKrieger22) 12/03/2013 at 12:57

0

I was not able to find any verification that it has self healing tanks, and when I read the part info for a replacement tank no claim is made, but that is not definitive of course. As a competition car it should have those but I wonder if they did away with it for production version?

stepwilk > MotoArigato 12/03/2013 at 14:29

1

I believe what you're thinking of is not a "self-sealing fuel tank," which is what they had in some WII aircraft, but a fuel cell. Racecar fuel cells are filled with an absorbent, cellular core that in effect absorbs the fuel so that if the cell ruptures, the fuel stays encapsulated and doesn't spray out. I don't think the Carrera GT (which I've driven) had a fuel cell.

kandy-kane > MotoArigato 12/03/2013 at 15:05

1

I totally agree with you. Alot of people are assuming they were speeding because they were driving a Porche when the evidence points to a malfunction with the car, until it is proven that they were speeding i consider that speculation total rubbish

marty-marr > MotoArigato 12/04/2013 at 22:56

1

I believe the CGT slammed into the light pole on the driver's side first (car slid out from a right hand turn), spun around, and then came to rest next to a small tree. If the passenger survived the impact then trying to open the door in a dazed condition would be impossible.

HowSmart > MotoArigato 12/05/2013 at 20:11

1

Cold tires, an over-aggressive shift (this car can light up tires in 3-4 gears), an oversteer snap spin, or just generally unglued slide. If he lifts off the throttle at the wrong time, this car will absolutely spin. It has happened to much better drivers than Roger Rodas.

MotoArigato > HowSmart 12/06/2013 at 16:58

0

Thank you for a thoughtful and logical comment, seems many people aren't really understanding the nuances of this car.

Denny > MotoArigato 12/07/2013 at 12:27

0

The timing of the explosion has not been considered. Did the car explode then go out of control or did it explode as a result of the impact? What would make it explode upon impact? It is a known fact that the Carrera GT has 605hp off the assembly line. We know that Paul and Roger had a ‘need for speed’. We also know Roger was a partner in a speed shop. This engine might have been modified in ‘Fast and Furious’ with NOS to enhance the performance. As we see movies and at drag races, this fuel enrichment can lead to engine explosions and fire. Street machines are not designed for passenger protection after an explosion of this magnitude. However it happened they lived life for the ‘Adrenaline Rush’. Rest in Peace

MotoArigato > Denny 12/07/2013 at 13:13

0

Hi, the video of the event seems to indicate that the car first struck the light pole/trees then the fireball occurred. I hesitate to call it an explosion, but it was certainly a rapidly spreading fire. To me an explosion would be the fuel tank bursting suddenly from an internal ignition source but this seems to have the mark of a ruptured fuel tank that spewed it's contents and immediately caught fire from an outside source such as hot engine parts, sparks, or a small fire elsewhere in the car.

There has been no indication that the car was fitted with NOS, I do not believe that to be the case. Think about throwing a barrel full of water against a light pole, it would bend, burst then spew water. Replace that water with fuel and place it behind your seat, then throw yourself into the same pole, you will be covered in fuel and the rest becomes apparent.

hector > MotoArigato 12/08/2013 at 07:43

1

good explication, information !

hector > hector 12/08/2013 at 10:31

1

Video :

Porsche Carrera Gt animation process

and a link to another carrera gt with a pole light (2007)

Pictures carrera gt with a pole light

Jayhawk Jake > kandy-kane 09/29/2015 at 09:29

0

I assume they were speeding because they crashed a car.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > MotoArigato 09/29/2015 at 11:21

1

“This car can kill you” is a myth I’ve read that I tend to believe.

Andyp > MotoArigato 09/30/2015 at 06:17

1

No mater how good a driver you are, this goes expecially seeing that Rodger held a pro licence, I do believe that the GT should only be used on the race track and no on public roads as after reading the report from the cars test driver he stated that the car was unpredictable and very unstable, so if you research the cars history you come see that there are numerous other GT fires and some have gone to court,

So I think it was just an very unfortunate accident.