You bend it, you mend it indeed...

[Chuck Most]

From Jalopnik- http://jalopnik.com/5977720/auto-journalist-sued-for-174000-for-blowing-a-porsche-engine

Auto Journalist Sued For $174,000 After Destroying A Rare Porsche’s Engine

Raphael Orlove

"You bend it, you mend it," right? That's the basis of a lawsuit by famous racing driver David Piper against a car journalist who blew the engine on Piper's $2 million Porsche 917.

Now the journalist has to pay the bill of over $174,000.

The engine exploded back in 2009 with freelance car journalist and race car driver Mark Hales behind the wheel. The drive was for a comparison test with a contemporary Ferrari 512S, owned by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason. The unwritten gentleman's agreement between Hales and the car owners was that any mechanical damage would be covered by the owners, while Hales would pay if he crashed. The damage was caused by the engine blowing, as it over-revved to 8,200 RPM. Piper's advised redline was 7,000.

SWNS reports that Hales claimed the car ‘popped out' of gear as he was shifting from second to third. If this was the case, Piper would be responsible for the repairs. Hales concluded, "the Porsche 917 is a tough car to drive and it is a matter of fact that the engines blow up. Everyone has done it and I knew this was the case."

The suit centered around a single point — who is to blame for the engine revving past its safe redline? Barrister Alexander Wright laid out the points for and against in court, as reported by the Telegraph.

There are two competing theories — the claimant's case is that the defendant, despite the very clear instructions given, failed to engage gear. He missed gear going into third causing the engine to over-rev and leading to damage.

The defendants say there was an inherent and pre-existing mechanical fault in the gear box so that the gears didn't properly lock and engage and slipped out of gear.

Piper denied that the gearbox could have been at fault, stating, "If there was any question of a gearbox problem, I would have asked him to stop and not drive any more."

Ultimately, the judge ruled in favor of Piper, forcing Hales to pay £47,000 for engine repairs and loss of use and another £63,000 for Piper's legal fees. This, of course, does not factor in Hales' own legal fees, which Ferdinand Magazine estimates at around £50,000. That's around $174,000 that Hales has to pay outside of his $79,000 legal fees.

Piper, an accomplished British racing driver is known particularly for his victories in Africa in the 1960s, but he is closely linked to the Porsche 917 in particular. Piper's racing career was cut short during the filming of Steve McQueen's Le Mans, the movie which so greatly lionized the 917 and helped establish its legend.

We can understand Piper's position, given his warnings to Hales about potential damage to the car, but to see to good men drag each other down in a case involving such a glorious car is hurtful no matter how it turns out.

[Dr. Cranky]

Hum, the money has to come from somewhere to restore it, right?

[Erik Smith]

Should just plop in a SBC.

[mrspex]

That last sentence says it all.

[Jon Cole]

Should just plop in a SBC.

...thus killing the historical value completely.

[zenrat]

$174,000 to rebuild what is basically a glorified Beetle engine?

[diymirage]

$174,000 to rebuild what is basically a glorified Beetle engine?

shoot, i ougtha give them a call, tell them i'll do it for $150,000 even

[Deathgoblin]

$174,000 to rebuild what is basically a glorified Beetle engine?

Isn't the engine in these a DOHC flat 12 cylinder? A little different from a beetle engine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_917

[zenrat]

OK, 3 Beetle engines. Still seems a bit steep to fettle a dak dak.

[Modlbldr]

OK, 3 Beetle engines. Still seems a bit steep to fettle a dak dak.

I have no idea what that last part means, but it sure sounds serious.

Later-

[rhs856]

"Fettle a dak dak" is Aussie for "Fix a Beetle".

[wheaton79chris]

My question for this... is this gonna set a new standard in motorsports? You wreck it you pay your team owner for the damage. Sure would make restrictor plate racing interesting

[Ben]

If it's known that those engines can easilly over rev and blow, I wonder why nobody has ever installed some type of rev limiter on them???

[philo426]

He should not have raced it if the owner did not absolve him of financial liability if he blew the engine.When you push a race car these things can and do happen.This should have been clearly spelled out in a contract if the driver has any sense in these litigious times!

[zenrat]

Some kind of insurance might have been a good idea for all involved.

[James2]

Why not split the cost, even at 60/40 they could have been better off. Once again the only ones that made out, are the lawyers.

[Modelmartin]

$174,000 to rebuild what is basically a glorified Beetle engine?

Oh but what a glorious glorified beetle motor!

[Psychographic]

I saw a site somewhere, they are trying to raise funds to help this guy pay off the bill for the damage.

Now who in their right mind would donate to this? He had the chance to drive a car that most people will never even see live in their lifetime, why should anyone else foot his bill?

If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.