24 Hours of Le Mans

[MrJan]

Sad, sad news. I did fear the worst as we hadn't heard anything and it was obviously a huge impact. As my old man said, it's really taken the edge off the race as it's hard to get excited about the motorsport when something so terrible has happened.

[Alfa Fan]

I've been hearing that involved an impact with a tree as well, and also speculation (I stress speculation) that there was an equipment failure in the car, possibly related to the seat. We've seen seemingly worse impacts at Le Mans in recent years, like the #1 Audi in 2011 where the driver suffered far lesser injuries.

[steveaki13]

RIP Allan Simonsen, condolences to his family and friends.

Im sure all us on here and everyone in motorsport echo's your sentiment.

RIP Allan

[steveaki13]

I've been hearing that involved an impact with a tree as well, and also speculation (I stress speculation) that there was an equipment failure in the car, possibly related to the seat. We've seen seemingly worse impacts at Le Mans in recent years, like the #1 Audi in 2011 where the driver suffered far lesser injuries.

This is right. It looked like the kind of impact you would be dazed by, but not seriously injured these days.

If this speculation is found to be true, then investigatin needs to be launched on how a barrier allowed a car to puncture a hole through it.

[Ranger]

I'd hate to think how he would feel if it was a driver error, 9 minutes into a 24 hour race. :\

I feel quite bad for saying this now, given the events that transpired.

[Alfa Fan]

I feel quite bad for saying this now, given the events that transpired.

Nobody could have known at that point. It looked like a routine accident until it took so long to clear.

[MrJan]

I feel quite bad for saying this now, given the events that transpired.

You weren't to have known and the statement itself is perfectly true, don't beat yourself up over it.

So sad that this will probably mean that Le Mans will be in the news but for all the wrong reasons. It's regrettable that on the few times that motorsport makes it to mainstream media usually involves a fatality or serious injury.

[steveaki13]

I have posted a thread : RIP Allan Simonsen in the main Chit Chat thread so others who may not be following the race or not viewing this thread can pay respect to him.


Dont feel bad Ranger, I too thought it was crazy to make a mistake that early and made a flipent remark.
Its one of those things that no one can know at the time.

It is a nasty reminder though that motorsport is still very dangerous. Something we all forget at times with modern safety standards.

[BDunnell]

So sad that this will probably mean that Le Mans will be in the news but for all the wrong reasons. It's regrettable that on the few times that motorsport makes it to mainstream media usually involves a fatality or serious injury.

Well, quite. And you can bet that in no way will the reporting concentrate on how remarkable it is, given the severity of certain accidents, that this is the first fatality during the race itself since Jo Gartner in 1986.

[steveaki13]

As the commentators said, the team will carry on racing hard for the win in his memory.

In a similar way, we should continue to watch the race and appreciate the risks the guys take for the sport and our entertainment. They are brave men and women.