MV F4 Mechanical Failure!

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Hi Guys,

I just read this...http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=22492&s=18

....and was wondering if anyone knows what the mechanical failur was that caused the accident?

Just to summarize the article, Champ car driver Dario Franchitti has broke his back after his MV F4 suffered mechanical failure in Scotland.

It would be nice to know what to look out for or have the dealer check.

Thanks Ian

-- ian briggs (ianpaulbriggs@hotmail.com), April 23, 2003

Answers

Thats Ashley Judd's husband!!!

TOKYO -- Indy Racing League driver Dario Franchitti fractured a bone in his lower back in a motorcycle accident in his native Scotland last week but should return for next month's Indianapolis 500, his team owner said Tuesday.

Michael Andretti said Franchitti crashed when oil leaked onto his rear tire. The accident occurred April 4 and the 29-year-old was too sore to make it to Japan for this weekend's race at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, located an hour north of the country's capital.

"He was wearing full leathers, so he should be all right for Indy," Andretti said at a news conference previewing the Indy Japan 300. "It doesn't appear to be as bad as Gil (de Ferran's) injury."

De Ferran fractured vertebrae in two locations -- his lower back and neck -- during an Indy-car accident at last month's race in Phoenix. He, too, will miss the Japan race.

De Ferran will be temporarily replaced at Team Penske by Alex Barron; Andretti Green Racing test driver Dan Wheldon will take Franchitti's seat.

Wheldon, 24, will be making his first start for Andretti's team. He drove in a pair of races last season for Panther Racing and was to begin his AGR career at Indy as a teammate to Franchitti, Andretti and IRL points leader Tony Kanaan, who has won both poles and the Phoenix race this season.

Wheldon, who is from England, was in Tokyo on Tuesday when he learned of Franchitti's predicament. He admitted to being excited and nervous.

"I do believe I'm ready," said Wheldon, who has more than 3,000 test miles with the team since last fall. "We'll just see how it (turns out). I don't want to say I'm going to dominate (as Kanaan has done), but I don't want to say I'll be settling for (a good finish) either."

Andretti was steadfast in his confidence in Wheldon.

"He probably has more miles than any of us in a Honda engine, and he hasn't put a wheel wrong in that time," he said. "In some ways getting an extra race in will be good for him."

Wheldon will replace 40-year-old Andretti on the three-car team following Andretti's retirement after Indy.

Suggestions that Franchitti, who is 10th in series points and prefers road course races, has been the weakest link of AGR this season were shot down by Andretti.

"No way, I totally disagree," said Andretti, who credited Franchitti with car setup information that allowed his teammates to qualify on the front row at Homestead, Fla. "He was ahead of both of us (in the Phoenix race) and he was the only guy trying to do it flat (on the accelerator) in qualifying.

"Don't count Dario out; you're kidding yourself if you do."

-- mod (mvf4s@excite.com), April 23, 2003.


Oil on the back tyre? I believe there is a history of the F4's oil filter backing off, and leading to just this type of event. Hence the locking ring in the new oil filter service pack.

Any deeper insights into Franchitti's accident?

-- J Cliff (jcliff@info.com.ph), April 24, 2003.


Mechanicla Failure: Translation = Dario's bruised Ego ????

-- Pete Hughes (pete_mvagusta@yahoo.com.au), April 25, 2003.

i'm sure it was the oil filter backing off. this happened to me on my 01 with the old style oil filter -- at speed on mount st. helens. the bike dumped all its oil over the back wheel and the road. miraculously, the MV didn't go down, but the rider behind me did thanks to the oil slick.

since i've replaced the filter i've had no further problems. if you do have the old style (gray) filter -- replace it immediately!

-- lindsay seattle, wa

-- lindsay (lindsay@gupton.net), April 26, 2003.


Hi.Can anyone help with this problem I have.I am in the UK and will be returning to Canada shortly. I hope to bring a MV F4 with me but I need a certificate of compliance for the US or a copy to enable me to legaly import the bike, so if anyone can help or point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated,Dave Franklyn

-- David Franklyn (sportshypnosis@aol.com), May 31, 2003.


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