Chris Chow's WE4 may be retired (accident)

[John Wilde]

Guys and Gals.

Over the weekend Chris's car had an accident at Sacramento Raceway.

I was not there but here is an account taken from Norcal1320.com

WCHRA this weekend at Sac.... - Page 7 - Norcal1320.com

He came out of the hole hard, got out a few hundred feet, went up in smoke, stayed in it, headed for the right lane, turned back left to try to keep it out of the wall, car pitched sideways again, and flopped on its roof........cant believe it flipped over from that but it did......car is beat up but chris looked ok....From what I saw, t-tops and no funny car cage (hoop over your head) makes for a rough ride.... "Psycho Dave from norcal1320.com"

Here is Chris Chow's reply to the thread.

I'm OK guys. It was definitely a ride that I hope never experience again...but that's why we have cages in our cars. It's pretty much exactly as Psycodave explained. Glass everywhere. Initially, I could not get the seatbelt camlocks to release because my weight was on them. All the while, I was watching oil draining out of my dry sump, my helmet scraping on the ground and waiting forever for the car to stop. The motor and drive train are fine, we drove into the garage after we took it off the trailer."chowdog from norcal1320.com"

First of all I am glad that my friend is ok and that is always the most important thing.

Secondly I am heart broken for Chris the original owner of this WE4.
I am sure he will chime in when he gets a chance but I will give you a brief snap shot of this cars's 20 plus year racing history.

-The car runs 13.6 basically factory stock

-He drove the car from California to Bowling Green one year

-With Chris tunning the DFI 10 plus years ago it was driven close to around 75 mile round trip on slicks for street exercises.

-I will never forget seeing him take out a big block chevy on N20 when he still had the production v6 in it

-Duttweiler built him a stage 2 v6 that with baby turbos make more than 1000HP

-The car runs 9.1 @ 149 with a lot left

-We find Bob Rieger's motor for sale and Chris picks it up

-Chris gets the v8 running and wins a couple PSCA Heavy Street events

-2005 Las Vegas Street Car Super Nationals, Chris becomes the first
stock suspension Regal in the 7s with a 7.9 @ 175

Anyway those are a couple of fond memories I have of the car.
If she is not repaired I will really miss her.

[UNDER-PRESSURE]

WOW.... I'm glad to hear he is OK. The car can be replaced & built stronger / safer.

[Dusty Bradford]

Sad news but I'm glad Chris was able to walk away, salvage some parts and start something better. Good luck.

[Boost231]

glad your ok chris

[Mark E.]

Wow, Too bad about the car, but you can fix that.....

Glad you are ok..

[SGRIM]

So sorry to hear that. Chris and that car is part of GN history... Glad to hear he is okay!

[Red C5]

Most importantly, Chris is ok. I think he did everything he possibly could to save the car but there's only so much you can do. Chris walked away from the accident and is feeling fine. The car however doesn't look so good.

[Raymond Bunch]

Happy to hear your OK Chris!

[John Wilde]

Originally Posted by SGRIM

So sorry to hear that. Chris and that car is part of GN history... Glad to hear he is okay!

I agree Shane, how many Automotive enthusiasts did not see the dyno video.
We had the pleasure of being there, it was a really cool experience.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by John Wilde

I agree Shane, how many Automotive enthusiasts did not see the dyno video.
We had the pleasure of being there, it was a really cool experience.

'Twas pretty cool. First spin had crap blowing all over the shop from the exhaust shooting out the sides of the fender, including the WBO2 probe! And then the sound when you are 15' away...

[JOHNDEEREGN]

Most importantly CC is OK

[idaho gn]

my friend is ok that is the most important thing! i wrecked my car last year. its back and running now better than ever. the we4 has my blood and skin on it someplace still im sure.

[John Wilde]

Chris's 7 second pass:
High 7 seconds on Chris Chow 's twin turbo Buick.- Video

Street Car:
Driving an 8 sec. car on the street. C Chow.- Video

Good Save:
Lost traction- Video

V6 pass with 1400ft
Buick GrandNational with twin turbo V6- Video

Dyno Session with Duttweiler
Engine dyno twin turbo small block Chevy.- Video

The Dyno Video:
YouTube - Chris Chow's "Grand National" dyno: 1077 hp

[86brick]

Wow, been away the last couple days and just seen this. Very sorry to hear about the car but the important thing is that Chris is okay. Cars can always be fixed/replaced, but people on the other hand can NOT!

[JOHNDEEREGN]

That 8 Sec street vid was

[John Wilde]

Originally Posted by JOHNDEEREGN

That 8 Sec street vid was

We would go out on the freeway and test the tune up.
Try to imagine the look on my face as I hold the lap top
and look at the EGT Meter with that thing pushing me into the seat.

[JOHNDEEREGN]

Originally Posted by John Wilde

We would go out on the freeway and test the tune up.
Try to imagine the look on my face as I hold the lap top
and look at the EGT Meter with that thing pushing me into the seat.

PRICELESS

[86brick]

Originally Posted by John Wilde

We would go out on the freeway and test the tune up.
Try to imagine the look on my face as I hold the lap top
and look at the EGT Meter with that thing pushing me into the seat.

Think I would need the Depends!

[Red C5]

Originally Posted by JOHNDEEREGN

That 8 Sec street vid was

I'll tell my wife you liked her vid. That's her hanging out the window recording in the chase car.

[Mackinblack007]

while im sorry about the car, all that matters is nobody was hurt!!!

[LV GN]

john, i have a roller that chris can have for free if he wants to come to vegas to pick up. i now have the pink slip and he is welcome to it.

[John Wilde]

Originally Posted by LV GN

john, i have a roller that chris can have for free if he wants to come to vegas to pick up. i now have the pink slip and he is welcome to it.

Len,

Thanks buddy, I was considering working something out with my black car too.
I am really not sure of the direction he wants to take.

[JoyOf6]

I missed this news until now. I echo the sentiments here and am glad you weren't injured. Sounds very similar to my wreck last year (I was grateful for the 25.1E). Best of luck in getting it or something else built in good time to get back in the game.

Art

[SS_Sean]

What's the update?

[Dean]

Pondering a direction to go from here.

Dean

[John Wilde]

On phone with him going over options now...LOL

[ChrisChow]

Sorry for the hiatus. Been trying to figure out what to do next.

I got a few estimates to make her 25.2 legal along with a back half.

The drive train is in great condition. Actually fired right up and drove her into the garage! The frame never hit the wall, she flipped onto her lid and came to a rest without touching the wall.

1) I could redo the entire setup and run Outlaw with a stock front suspension, replace the body with a donor (already have one lined up...thanks Jerry!).

2) Or start with something more aerodynamic... it's going to be about the same cost.

3) With the body removed, cut the cage out, install a cage to SFI 25.3 certification (so that I can legally go sevens). I was going to redo the cage anyway (after the new NHRA rules it was only good for 8.50).

#3 would be the least costly and get me on the track by 2nd quarter of 2009 and continue to develop the car to run quicker and faster with the stock suspension.

#1 or #2 would be ideal in that I want to run 6's at over 220 mph.

I'm open to opinions.

[Nasty Wendy]

Originally Posted by ChrisChow

I'm open to opinions.

Put the engine in a motorcycle frame. Custom plate could read {BossHoss This}.
Glad you are OK.

[Reggie West]

Chris I watched my Dad do just about the same thing you did with your car without the flipping it over part. This was in Phoenix this past weekend.

You are making a lot more power than he is too.

I would not screw around with the stock suspension anymore you have to realize that with the power you make. There is simply not enough time to correct things when they go bad. You get maybe one shot at it and that is it.

Things are moving way too fast and there is no margin for error. Put a full cage in that thing and upgrade to the right suspension to do the job.

Its always nice to be able to walk away from the wreck and rebuild it.

[86brick]

Originally Posted by ChrisChow

#1 or #2 would be ideal in that I want to run 6's at over 220 mph.

I'm open to opinions.

Chris,

As much as I love the G-bodies/Regals, if this is really your ultimate goal I would definitely start looking on RacingJunk.com for something more aerodynamic. I know if it were me I'd think of a 3rd gen Firebird or a C5 Vette. I'm sure however you decide to go it will be awesome and I wish you the best luck with the new project.