I took a look at that video.
I think the answer is yes, but only a little.
Even a basic ABS should have pulsed the front brakes allowing for slightly better traction and maybe allowed for some steering.
But not enough difference to stop or turn it before the barriers.
Comparing with other drivers in that same video, the brakes were applied too late and too hard.
Ideally we'ld like to see all four wheels lock up together on dry pavement, although auto manufactures always lean toward front lock since its safer. But IMO that should happen on slick surface. The rear wheels can contribute significantly in the begining of braking application. If I was looking at this for lessons learned, I would want to explore the brake setup as well as driver decisions.
Other points from the video with the truck:
* Watching the other drivers in that video after watching the Barracuda it seemed to me all were accelerating after they cleared the finish lights. I'm not certain - just going by when the annoucer makes the statement about best time. Generally when we see people doing that at our events, someone is going to talk to the driver. Many times there will be opportunity to accelerate toward the finish and through the lights. That's different, and there will be room for the car to stop even if you do lock up or spin - although you may hit some cones.
* SCCA layouts are designed for participants to drive as close to 100% of the car and driver's capabiliity, and when that is exceeded the penalty is hitting cones (2 second penalty each cone) or going off course (no time scored). We're not seeing cones get hit during the course runs in the video. So its reasonable to conclude that Goodguy's course design concept is different.
* Just because an event is SCCA sanctioned is no guarentee there will be no incidents resulting in injury to vehicle or people. But TWO crashes in the same location on the same course in the same day raises a lot of questions. I would encourage anyone who does participate in a Goodguys event, or anything on a course setup like that (eg Carlisle) with physical barriers or poles so close to drive at 95 or 90% of what you think you and the car can do.
* Finally, SCCA sanctioned autocrosses are 'non-spectator' events unless specifically noted otherwise. This is in part to reduce motivation for "watch this!" driving. For the same reason most will not allow a second person in the vehicle except for an experienced instructor. At least not until you have some reasonable amount of experience yourself.
Those are just some things to think about when seeing these videos. Its sad to see anyone's vehicle damaged as occured at that event. The owners obviously put a lot of time and effort in to both, even if they had not fully tested them out. Autocrosses can be a fun and relatively safe activity to push yourself and your car.
