Use Your Power Wisely

A C8 Corvette Stingray driver attempted to pass a line of three slower-moving vehicles before crashing into a Toyota pickup in Marin County, California this week, sending three people to the hospital.

According to the California Highway Patrol's Marin branch, the driver of the white C8 Corvette Stingray was travelling on a two-lane road in West Marin last Saturday when they attempted to pass a line of three slower-moving vehicles. At the same time, the driver of a Toyota pickup at the front of the line was slowing down and about to make a left-hand turn into a parking area. The Vette, approaching at a high rate of speed, then t-boned the Toyota as it made the left-hand turn, causing the pickup truck to roll on its side.

Three occupants of the Toyota truck were taken to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries, CHP said, while the Corvette driver was treated on scene with minor injuries. Drugs and/or alcohol did not appear to be a factor in this collision, responding officers reported, although the driver of the Chevrolet was issued a citation for an unsafe driving maneuver. While the road they were travelling on had a dotted dividing line, CHP will tell any driver that attempting to pass three cars at once is not advisable.

"If you are travelling in West Marin, please remember to drive with caution and care," CHP said of this rather dangerous crash. "Get to where you are going safely. There's no need to rush."

It seems as though the driver of this C8 Corvette Stingray wanted to experience the power of their mid-engine sports car's naturally aspirated 6.2L LT2 V8 engine, but they could have picked a much better place to do this. The world-class Sonoma Raceway is only a short drive from Marin County and features a 12-turn road course with multiple layouts/configurations, along with a drag strip and even a karting facility for kids. Something tells us that if you can afford a brand-new Corvette, you can also afford a track day paddock pass. Lesson learned, we hope.



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Source: Sam McEachern - GM Authority

Posted 3/11/22