$300,000 worth of scrap metal

[Romulus111VADT]

http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/9322180?MSNHPHCP>1=39002

TapouT co-founder, MMA sponsor dies in car crash

The mixed martial arts community lost one of its biggest personalities early Wednesday morning in a car crash in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Charles "Mask" Lewis, the 45-year-old co-founder of the TapouT apparel company, died when he lost control of his Ferrari and hit a lamp pole. Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement on its Web site, TapouT said, "It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we must regretfully confirm the passing of our beloved friend, brother and co-founder Charles 'Mask' Lewis following a car accident that occurred last night. ... Many thanks to all for the outpouring of blessings and well-wishes during this incredibly difficult time."

The Los Angeles Times reported that a Newport Beach Police Department officer witnessed the crash and saw Lewis' red Ferrari and a white Porsche spinning out of control just before 1 a.m. Wednesday. The Ferrari then hit the curb and collided into a pole.

"It was terrible," Newport Beach Lt. Craig Fox told the Times. "It was extensive damage to the vehicle."

A woman in the Ferrari was ejected from the vehicle and was in stable condition at a local hospital. Police haven't determined if she was the driver or passenger of the Ferrari, according to the Times.

Police later arrested the driver of the Porsche, Jeffrey David Kirby, and charged him with gross vehicular manslaughter. He was being held on $1 million bail.

There was a 50-mph limit on the road, but police believe both cars were traveling well above that limit, according to a report on KTLA.com. The Web site also reported that Lewis' car appeared to be a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, which can reach a top speed of 205 mph and carries a price tag around $300,000.

Lewis and Dan "Punkass" Caldwell founded TapouT in 1997 as a clothing and MMA gear retailer. In addition to retail, the private company also signed deals with fighters, including Kimbo Slice, and is a sponsor of fight events.

[ShaneG_old]

A tragic incident indeed, but someone should tell the cops that that is not a 599.

It's a 360, much cheaper (  :-? ) but no more resistant to damage than it's more expensive stable mate.

[Craig.]

unfortunate but sounds like the guy was racing in a car he had no ability to be driving fast in.

Nice news reporting as well, its a ferrari 360, not a 599, it tops out at about 185mph, and should be significantly less than $300,000's even in the US where these cars are stupidly over priced. 599 engine in the front, 360 engine in the middle. I could understand if they got it mixed up with the 430.

One thing that has always bothered me is the way that the 360 just seems to split in half in accidents. I've seen several that have exactly the same results.

[ShaneG_old]

One thing that has always bothered me is the way that the 360 just seems to split in half in accidents. I've seen several that have exactly the same results.

Being an evolution of the 360, does the 430 also suffer from this? I've seen pics of wrecked Enzo's also in this condition. :-/ But none of the 599 yet.

[Craig.]

oddly simmilar posts lol great minds and all that.

I've not seen a 430 split in two. The usual ones I've seen are all nose first into lamp posts and stuff. I think that a lot of it comes down to the computer electronics, the 360 has very little in the way of traction control, stability control and so on, which is Why I think accidents in those tend to be more high speed and sideways, usually someone going round a corner too fast. The 430 with its million and one computers driving it for you tends to stay in a straight line more

[The Ruptured Duck]

Its sad that the car is in such bad shape that we can't tell what it is

[Mushroom_Farmer]

More proof that being rich doesn't make one any smarter.

[expat]

One thing that has always bothered me is the way that the 360 just seems to split in half in accidents. I've seen several that have exactly the same results.

Being an evolution of the 360, does the 430 also suffer from this? I've seen pics of wrecked Enzo's also in this condition. :-/ But none of the 599 yet.

Seems to be a Ferrari trade mark. If you Google Ferrari crash, it seems to happen an awfel lot :-? Quite a bit of red stuff on that lamppost too :-/

Matt

[Craig.]

I could understand if it was a design thing. like an F1 car, where the chassis as a whole is designed to break apart split and absorb the impact leaving the monococ intact and the driver safe. But if you look at picture 2, you'll see the drivers seat halfway up the hill and the passenger seat in the foreground. Furthmore, look at the way they are, it would appear as the force has sheered the seats clear off whatever was holding them down. I believe Ferrari welds everything in place to keep weight down, but I just hope they dont do it to a bare minimum and risk safety.

[C]

One thing that has always bothered me is the way that the 360 just seems to split in half in accidents. I've seen several that have exactly the same results.

Being an evolution of the 360, does the 430 also suffer from this? I've seen pics of wrecked Enzo's also in this condition. :-/ But none of the 599 yet.

Seems to be a Ferrari trade mark. If you Google Ferrari crash, it seems to happen an awfel lot :-? Quite a bit of red stuff on that lamppost too :-/

Matt

Probably because they aren't designed with high speed collisions with lamp posts of trees in mind.

Just glad no other cars were involved, just someone who seems to have been a little unaware of his own ability.

[expat]

One thing that has always bothered me is the way that the 360 just seems to split in half in accidents. I've seen several that have exactly the same results.

Being an evolution of the 360, does the 430 also suffer from this? I've seen pics of wrecked Enzo's also in this condition. :-/ But none of the 599 yet.

Seems to be a Ferrari trade mark. If you Google Ferrari crash, it seems to happen an awfel lot :-? Quite a bit of red stuff on that lamppost too :-/

Matt

Probably because they aren't designed with high speed collisions with lamp posts of trees in mind.

Still, they should box it up and send it to the UK. Some of our "cut and shut technicians" could have that back on the road in a couple of days looking like new.  ;D

Matt