Tragedy at California Speedway | FerrariChat

Tragedy at California Speedway

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Gary(SF), Jun 2, 2005.

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  1. Gary(SF)

    Gary(SF) F1 Rookie

    Oct 13, 2003
    3,637
    Los Altos Hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Gary B.
    #1 Gary(SF), Jun 2, 2005
    Terrible news, I'm afraid two people were killed in a Carrera GT at a Ferrari club event at Fontana today. Even more tragically, the owner/driver was apparently Ben_lj who often posted here. As is so often the case, although I never met him, I felt I knew him from his posts, and now he is gone for good, leaving a wife and child.

    Gary

    http://www.nbc4.tv/news/4562562/detail.html

    Emergency Crews Respond To Fatal Crash At California Speedway
    Second Person Hospitalized After Crash

    POSTED: 3:23 pm PDT June 2, 2005
    UPDATED: 5:16 pm PDT June 2, 2005

    LOS ANGELES -- Two people were killed Thursday in a crash at California Speedway in Fontana.

    A private car club was renting the speedway at the time of the crash.

    A Porsche Carrera GT crashed into a retaining wall and came to rest on the track's infield. Authorities said two people were in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

    One person was pronounced dead at the scene.

    The second person in the car was transported by Mercy Air to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. That person later died.

    The track is home to the California 500, Nextel Cup 500, the Toyota Indy 400 and other motorsport events. The 2-mile D-shaped oval surrounds an infield portion used for road courses and a 13-turn interior test circuit.

    Private parties can rent the track to turn laps.
     
  2. Shuey2k

    Shuey2k Karting

    Nov 14, 2003
    245
    Clearwater, FL
    Full Name:
    Willi Schumacher
    #2 Shuey2k, Jun 2, 2005
    I just got off the phone with a friend of mine and I understand that it was Ben (also owner of a CS) that posts here. May God rest his soul.
     
  3. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Six Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 2, 2004
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    Jason
    #3 TexasF355F1, Jun 2, 2005
    That's horrible. Any more detail of how exactly it happened and why they died. It seems like a pretty bad crash, but nothing that they shouldn't have been able to live through. Internal injuries possibly?

    God bless those killed and their families.

    Could there be a problem with the Carrera GT? It seems a lot of people have wrecked their cars within the first few months of its release, apparently from the rear sliding out.
     
  4. Shuey2k

    Shuey2k Karting

    Nov 14, 2003
    245
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    Willi Schumacher
    #4 Shuey2k, Jun 2, 2005
    Appox 150mph impact!
     
  5. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Feb 2, 2004
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    Jason
    #5 TexasF355F1, Jun 2, 2005
    wow. that's an insane speed.
     
  6. tfazio

    tfazio Formula 3
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    Apr 20, 2004
    1,969
    Michigan
    #6 tfazio, Jun 2, 2005
    Horrible news. May God be with him and his family as well as with the other person who passed away.
     
  7. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
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    HUBBSTER
    #7 WILLIAM H, Jun 2, 2005
    Dam, what a shame
     
  8. MarkPDX

    MarkPDX F1 World Champ
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    Apr 21, 2003
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    #8 MarkPDX, Jun 2, 2005
  9. Stackhouse

    Stackhouse F1 Rookie
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    Feb 14, 2004
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    CT.. AKA Pimp Daddy
    #9 Stackhouse, Jun 2, 2005
  10. Danysh

    Danysh Karting

    Mar 31, 2004
    150
    Dubai
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    Danysh Framroze
    #10 Danysh, Jun 2, 2005
    rip :(
     
  11. zjpj

    zjpj F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
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    USA
    #11 zjpj, Jun 2, 2005
    May he rest in peace
     
  12. TexasMike

    TexasMike F1 World Champ

    Feb 17, 2005
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    Michael C
    #12 TexasMike, Jun 2, 2005
    Very sad news, RIP
     
  13. rifter

    rifter Formula Junior

    Dec 14, 2003
    304
    #13 rifter, Jun 2, 2005
    a sad day.
     
  14. URY914

    URY914 Formula Junior

    Feb 17, 2004
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    Paul
    #14 URY914, Jun 2, 2005
  15. URY914

    URY914 Formula Junior

    Feb 17, 2004
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    Paul
    #15 URY914, Jun 2, 2005
  16. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2003
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    #16 judge4re, Jun 2, 2005
    My condolences to the families.
     
  17. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
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    Jun 9, 2004
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    #17 RossoCorsaItaly, Jun 2, 2005
    RIP to a very nice guy and true car enthusiast. I'm in disbelief right now...
     
  18. WCH

    WCH F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 16, 2003
    5,180
    #18 WCH, Jun 2, 2005
    I can't believe this - a frequent poster here and on rennteam - terrible
     
  19. AzN-TriNi

    AzN-TriNi Formula Junior

    Oct 24, 2004
    373
    #19 AzN-TriNi, Jun 2, 2005
    RIP
     
  20. jbsmooth1

    jbsmooth1 Karting

    Jul 8, 2004
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    Bethesda, MD
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    Jon Bresler
    #20 jbsmooth1, Jun 2, 2005
    My deepest heartfelt condolences to both families and friends of those who passed on. RIP, you will be much missed. I hope you both are in a better place.
     
  21. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

    May 1, 2003
    10,994
    Canada and Brasil...
    #21 Kds, Jun 2, 2005
    We were just talking to each other on a thread the other day about AMG cars and Porsches.......life is so fleeting.........

    R.I.P. Ben.........you died doing what you enjoyed. Gawd I'm choked.
     
  22. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
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    Tom
    #22 tbakowsky, Jun 2, 2005
    I was just going to post this..I just found out about it on 6speed. My god what a trerriable loss. He has a very young daughter aswell.

    My condolences to his family and friends.

    Please..evrybody be careful out there. I know its a boat load of fun but it can happen so fast. I absoluty hate to read about things like this..hits way to close to home..
     
  23. whart

    whart F1 Veteran
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    Dec 5, 2001
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    Herr Prof.
    #23 whart, Jun 2, 2005
    I'm just wondering, given that Ben apparently had friends in alot of different circles, and on different boards, if at an appropriate time, with some coordination among the various boards on which he participated, there could be a minute or 5 of silence, simultaneously on all the various boards he affected.
    I did not know him, but my condolences to all, including his friends here.
     
  24. Schatten

    Schatten F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Apr 3, 2001
    11,237
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    Randy
    #24 Schatten, Jun 2, 2005
    Very sad to hear. =/

    And just like Tom said, it is a reminder to be safe out there.
     
  25. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
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    IgnoranteWest
    #25 FarmerDave, Jun 2, 2005
    I'm always personally saddened when I hear about a FChatter passing. Very sorry for his family's loss.
     
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