Magnussen unhurt in last lap crash ( ALMS Spoiler)
10-11-2009, 09:20 AM
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Magnussen unhurt in last lap crash ( ALMS Spoiler)
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79386
Magnussen unhurt in last lap crash
By Matt Beer Sunday, October 11th 2009, 10:43 GMT
Jan Magnussen escaped uninjured from his violent accident at the end of yesterday evening's Laguna Seca American Le Mans Series round.
The Corvette driver was spun into the wall as he battled with Flying Lizard Porsche's Joerg Bergmeister for the GT2 class victory on the run to the line. Magnussen was taken to the circuit's medical centre for checks where it was confirmed that he had not been hurt, and the Dane and co-driver Johnny O'Connell were still classified second.
Magnussen had hunted down Bergmeister in the final laps after the Porsche lost ground being lapped by the overall leaders. His first passing attempt ended with him running wide, and although he retook the lead with two laps to go, he was ordered to cede the position as he had used the pit exit to complete the pass. Magnussen then dived back in front with an aggressive move at the final corner of the four-hour race, before being spun into the wall as Bergmeister fought back on the straight.
"It was really good, hard racing," said Magnussen. "I didn't think I even had a chance after I had to give the position back. Going into the last corner I was too far away to make a proper attack, but Joerg parked the car. I didn't see that, so I slid up and hit him a little - he went sideways and I managed to get on the inside.
"It was a drag race up the hill, and I managed to get ahead of him. Then he turned me into the wall, and he kept turning in. Then I spun around the nose of his car."
Bergmeister said he had not intended to cause an accident.
"I'm definitely sorry Jan went into the wall," Bergmeister said. "I didn't want that to happen. But it was a banging game. I'm glad he's okay. It was tough racing."
Corvette team boss Doug Fehan said he had enjoyed the intense race, but suggested that the rules should be tightened to prevent such battles ending in crashes in the future.
"Those last six laps were as exciting as I've seen in motor racing in a long time – two great teams, two great cars, two great drivers," Fehan said. "It's unfortunate it ended the way it did.
"I think we're going to review the videotapes and see what we can do to ascertain what went wrong there. I'm sure we'll be working with the sanctioning body to address it and put into place safeguards to make sure incidents like this won't happen again."
By Matt Beer Sunday, October 11th 2009, 10:43 GMT
Jan Magnussen escaped uninjured from his violent accident at the end of yesterday evening's Laguna Seca American Le Mans Series round.
The Corvette driver was spun into the wall as he battled with Flying Lizard Porsche's Joerg Bergmeister for the GT2 class victory on the run to the line. Magnussen was taken to the circuit's medical centre for checks where it was confirmed that he had not been hurt, and the Dane and co-driver Johnny O'Connell were still classified second.
Magnussen had hunted down Bergmeister in the final laps after the Porsche lost ground being lapped by the overall leaders. His first passing attempt ended with him running wide, and although he retook the lead with two laps to go, he was ordered to cede the position as he had used the pit exit to complete the pass. Magnussen then dived back in front with an aggressive move at the final corner of the four-hour race, before being spun into the wall as Bergmeister fought back on the straight.
"It was really good, hard racing," said Magnussen. "I didn't think I even had a chance after I had to give the position back. Going into the last corner I was too far away to make a proper attack, but Joerg parked the car. I didn't see that, so I slid up and hit him a little - he went sideways and I managed to get on the inside.
"It was a drag race up the hill, and I managed to get ahead of him. Then he turned me into the wall, and he kept turning in. Then I spun around the nose of his car."
Bergmeister said he had not intended to cause an accident.
"I'm definitely sorry Jan went into the wall," Bergmeister said. "I didn't want that to happen. But it was a banging game. I'm glad he's okay. It was tough racing."
Corvette team boss Doug Fehan said he had enjoyed the intense race, but suggested that the rules should be tightened to prevent such battles ending in crashes in the future.
"Those last six laps were as exciting as I've seen in motor racing in a long time – two great teams, two great cars, two great drivers," Fehan said. "It's unfortunate it ended the way it did.
"I think we're going to review the videotapes and see what we can do to ascertain what went wrong there. I'm sure we'll be working with the sanctioning body to address it and put into place safeguards to make sure incidents like this won't happen again."
10-11-2009, 06:32 PM
#7
Two funny statements:
1. Going into the last corner I was too far away to make a proper attack, but Joerg parked the car. I didn't see that, so I slid up and hit him a little - he went sideways and I managed to get on the inside.
Jan was faster, especially in traffic. Joerg didn't park it, Jan caught him and then did a D.Earnhart on him, well not exactly, D.Earnhart would have put Joerg into the wall.
2. Bergmeister said he had not intended to cause an accident. Yeah, I really didn't mean to leave him 3ft of room for his 6ft car.
Still was a great show while it lasted.
1. Going into the last corner I was too far away to make a proper attack, but Joerg parked the car. I didn't see that, so I slid up and hit him a little - he went sideways and I managed to get on the inside.
Jan was faster, especially in traffic. Joerg didn't park it, Jan caught him and then did a D.Earnhart on him, well not exactly, D.Earnhart would have put Joerg into the wall.
2. Bergmeister said he had not intended to cause an accident. Yeah, I really didn't mean to leave him 3ft of room for his 6ft car.
Still was a great show while it lasted.
10-11-2009, 06:39 PM
#8
Race Director
Two funny statements:
1. Going into the last corner I was too far away to make a proper attack, but Joerg parked the car. I didn't see that, so I slid up and hit him a little - he went sideways and I managed to get on the inside.
Jan was faster, especially in traffic. Joerg didn't park it, Jan caught him and then did a D.Earnhart on him, well not exactly, D.Earnhart would have put Joerg into the wall.
2. Bergmeister said he had not intended to cause an accident. Yeah, I really didn't mean to leave him 3ft of room for his 6ft car.
Still was a great show while it lasted.
1. Going into the last corner I was too far away to make a proper attack, but Joerg parked the car. I didn't see that, so I slid up and hit him a little - he went sideways and I managed to get on the inside.
Jan was faster, especially in traffic. Joerg didn't park it, Jan caught him and then did a D.Earnhart on him, well not exactly, D.Earnhart would have put Joerg into the wall.
2. Bergmeister said he had not intended to cause an accident. Yeah, I really didn't mean to leave him 3ft of room for his 6ft car.
Still was a great show while it lasted.
so true... so true...
10-11-2009, 06:43 PM
#9
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Is Fehan serious about 'lets look at it and adjust the rules for next year', seems pretty calm for getting cheated outta of a win, i mean is it legal to run a guy into the wall and t-bone him to? I know bunping is but this is way more than that, to bad it looked to be an exciting finish right to the line.
10-11-2009, 07:55 PM
#11
Team Owner
10-11-2009, 07:56 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
10-11-2009, 08:28 PM
#15
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Good youtube vid. The vette kept it as clean as possible but he tried to pass like 3 turns before the final turn and the porsche ran him into the sand. Racing is racing, its all fair until someone or something gets hurt or broken. Better car goes to C6 for sure.
10-11-2009, 08:30 PM
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Wasn't it Jeorg whining about being run into the side 2 years ago at Sebring? I believe he was calling it dirty. I just lost my respect for the douche bag!
Bob
Bob
10-11-2009, 08:37 PM
#17
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10-11-2009, 09:10 PM
#19
Race Director
I wasn't able to watch the race so I have a question for those of you who did...
The Vette was obviously faster in the end. What had happened to get them behind in the first place? Did the Porsche fall off or was it pit strategy, etc?
The Vette was obviously faster in the end. What had happened to get them behind in the first place? Did the Porsche fall off or was it pit strategy, etc?
