Ouch... !!!

[Quickurt]

Extremely unusual to have that kind of explosive fire in a modern race car. I wonder if it was a class that does not require fuel cells. As slow as the cars were going in the rain, it didn't seem like that brutal of a hit, although the damage to the Ferrari looked pretty extensive. Maybe it was in slower than normal motion? It looked almost like a pace lap and it started because the spray was so thick, no-one could see crap.
I've been in that kind of situation in Formula cars and, belive me, it's total frigging insanity to do it. The second time I was in an SCCA race with those conditions, I thought to myself, "what are you doing here, with no-one paying you a penny, and you're supposed to be having fun?" I pulled into the pits and loaded the car.
After that, I didn't run rain practice sessions. I would do only minimum required laps for qualifying if it was raining. If our Sunday main race was raining, I loaded up and headed home. It was NOT fun and the chances of destroying your car and/or yourself went up in geometric proportions.

[Gary in BR]

I am surprised also that the Ferrari went up in flames as it did. The first time I saw it I thought the explosion may have been faked.

[Gary in BR]

I found part 2 of the Ferrari Porsche crash


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_nrCnuEgc&NR=1

[Quickurt]

Holy ********************, that's the worst safety crew action I've ever seen. I can't believe how they ignored someone who had just gone through that and was rolling around on the ground in both shock and agony. Then, they let him stand up and help him walk around? You've got to be kidding me. WHen I saw the first one, I assumed it was a left hand drive car. I din't realize this was in Japan and the devastation was on teh driver's side. That's one lucky driver, to have not been killed.
My first reaction to the comment that he sued the track and won was revulsion. As a competitor, we all take the risk that every time we put on the suit and strap in, it may be the last, or we may wish it had been. To sue over the risks that we knowingly take turns my stomach, but in this case I must agree, the safety crew was totally derelict in their training and actions.
Our SCCA volunteer safety crews and corner workers are the best. I thank them every chance I get and do this with them every Saturday evening, at the track.