Targa Newfoundland - a sad end...

First - my apologies for being off the blog for a few days. This report will partially explain my absence; the blogging software we use also had a problem with the Mozilla Firefox browser recently, so I have had to resort to Internet Exploder...

***

In four Targa Newfoundland rallies, I haven't put a mark on our 2004 Mini Cooper S JCW. Still haven't.

In the fifth Targa, I didn't put "a'' mark on the car - more like several million marks, unfortunately.

Coming back from Leading Tickles, I took a 159 km/h bend at about 160 km/h, which launched the car down an embankment and into the trees.

From the damage, it looks like the right front wheel caught in the gravel, dug in, flipped the car end-over-end, and it landed on the upper left rear corner, turning it into a replica of a Mini El Camino.

It then landed wheels-down in a grove of saplings, maybe three cm thick, all too close to a swift-flowing river.

Brian was alert and fine, but because I had obviously been unconscious for a few moments, they decided to take me to the hospital in Grand Falls for evaluation. Apart from the siren making 'way more noise than was necessary, and a hint of nausea, we got there in short order with me in decent shape.

The staff there was quick, efficient, and - as you would expect from Newfoundlanders - friendly.

I was released and driven back to the hotel in Gander.

I feel so badly for having wrecked it, and for having let the team down.

Everyone from Lindsay Duffield, president of BMW Canada, to Stephen McDonnell, head of Mini Canada, to Brian Bourbonniere, crew chief Rob Dexter, our mechanic Mark Krajnac, my fellow competitors, Targa officials, friends and family - they all said variations on "that's racing", and that the car was metal, glass, rubber and plastic - the important thing was that Brian and I were OK.

True enough, I guess.

But our goal was to finish and finish well, and we did not, because I made a mistake.

Among the amazing things we learned from the crash was how strong the car is, augmented for sure by the incredible roll cage that Frank and Dan Sprongl of Four Star Motorsports in Georgetown Ontario built for us. Despite the terrible pounding the car took, the cage didn't budge a bit. The five-point harnesses held. The helmets did their job, although they're toast now (after a biggie like this, a helmet has to be discarded).

Our rally was over 'way too soon. The entire team stayed on to help the finishers celebrate their success.

My heartfelt thanks to so many people. To Brian Bourbonniere, the best right-seat guy in the field, for putting up with me all these years, and for orchestrating my extraction. To Andrew Comrie-Picard and Jen Horsey, for stopping to assist. To the paramedics and staff at Grand Falls Hospital, whose names I sadly did not get. To Rob Dexter, Mark Krajnac and everyone at BMW/MINI Canada, for their unfailing support.

To all the Targa staff, for setting and enforcing safety regulations with respect to equipment, procedures, and on-site medical support staff. As they say, 'human exhaust emissions' happen - the purpose of precautions like these is to turn a potential tragedy into a mere incident.

And thanks to countless fellow competitors, friends and family who sent their best wishes.

I'll be thinking about this for a long, long, time.

Comments

[Kevin Corrigan]

It's sad to see Mr. Targa and his famous Mini exit the event but I'm really glad that you and Brian are ok.

[SJK]

Damn! Looking at that picture its hard to believe anyone walked away from that crash, let alone survive it. Its an unappreciated testament to the engineering that goes into vehicles nowadays. (A lot of people curse how "cars fall apart at the slightest bump" and some elder men still pine for big iron type cars. Seems they're more concerned about the car rather than their own safety.)

I've been following Targa Newfoundland through my WoW subscription, and when its showcased on TV. I've mentioned to my wife that I would love to travel up some year to watch it live.

Knowing how intimately and passionately involved you've been has always made me root for you, hoping to read one day "Jim Kenzie finishes first!"

This year was no different.

I won't presume to tell you to keep racing, but I hope you do, cause you've got a fan in this corner. Am glad you're well, and I always enjoy your stories from behind the wheel whether just driving or racing.

[Jordan]

Glad to hear nobody was hurt! I'm sure BMW/Mini will appreciate your real-world endorsement of the Mini's crash performance. There's always next year...

Great blogging (as usual) - much appreciated.

[tim]

sorry to hear about the wreck Jim.

glad you're OK!!!

[Craig]

Jeez! That's rough! I hope you get back on that horse next year at the Targa.
Godspeed but keep all four wheels on the ground.

[Mike T.]

A good buffin' will make that car look a whole lot better. Oh yeah, glad you're ok 'kenz. We need your column.

[Michael Banovsky]

Glad to see you're OK. I, for one, am saving to run a majestic-in-my-own-mind Mini El Camino next year… M!

[Scott]

Glad you're ok Jim, and glad i got to see the 04 MINI a few times in person! will the crumpled version be on display at CIAS or somewhere like that?

[tony larocca]

holy crap, batman! Nasty spill. To think I was your copilot in NB just weeks ago....hmmm

Seriously though, glad you're ok.

cheers

Tony L

[Hudson]

Great to hear you're not the least bit frazzled after your crash. Completely agree on being prepared and getting through it without relying on luck.

Now that you're back Jim, what's the latest with the Street Racing crap? Have any of the challenges come to court? The O.P.P. seem to be enforcing with reckless abandon.

It is an election non-issue as it is Provincial which I find a bit ironic as the law itself would seem to be a blatant contradiction to our Canadian Charter.

Keep us posted.

[Bob Della Rocco]

Jim,

Glad to hear that you and Brian are ok after this crash. Go thank the folks that put in that cage. Hope we all get to Targa next year.

Bob Della Rocco
2007 #106 VW GTI.

[Jim Kenzie]

Hi Scott:

Nothing has been decided about the remains of the Mini yet. We'll let you know!

[JIm Kenzie]

Hi Paul:

You gotta know we're all over this like a bad rash.

Can't shoot my bolt completely though - all will come clear in due course. Have faith!

[Big Daddy]

Jim,

Glad to hear you are OK. Yes, these are tough little cars. I rolled my '03 MINI Cooper S in the mountains of North Carolina last spring and my buddy and I walked away unscathed. The car was totalled. I hope you can find another MINI to continue your Targa career. All of us at Michigan MINI Motor Club send our best!

BD