At least 2 Ferrari 458s crashed at Honda Indy Toronto Qualifier Run#1

A couple of mishaps during the Ferrari Challenge Qualifying Run #1. It was also the last outing onto the track for the day. A very very hot and sunny Friday at that. I can't imagine being a driver. They have to put on special long underwear. Then the racing suite and helmet. There is no air conditioning. They did have an air vent tube which I assume directs air intake at the driver.

The checkered flag was flown which stopped the Ferrari Challenge Qualifying run #1. Something happened past Turn #10 and before the Pedestrian Overpass Bridge, the one by the Dr Pepper stand. One Ferrari 458 (had number 458 on it's side) hit a Protective Tire stand. Another Ferrari (Yellow) they said over the PA had clipped the first Ferrari. The Yellow 2nd auto came into the Pit area and looked intact. That's why I state that two Ferrari's were damaged. I have photos showing the damaged Ferraris. I did not shoot the actual accident. The accident happened at the Pit Entrance area. I was at the other end - pit exit area. I don't have pics nor know of what if anything damaged was on the Yellow Ferrari.

Another Ferrari (had number 17 on it's side) connected with something. I suspect a Protective Tire Stand. They did not announce this one over the PA. I found out about it in the Ferrari Paddock area. This second mishap was comparatively minor. The Driver Door was pushed in. Just the skin. The door other wise was intact. The Front Driver side fender was damaged. The rear Driver side fender had scrape marks - nothing major just does not look pretty anymore. Possibly the front bumper skirt was damaged. Not a bumper on these autos but that whole front piece was removed. Talked to one the guys working on the Ferrari and he said it was not big deal damage. The driver was also fine which is the important part. This second car could be on the track tomorrow.

The first damaged Ferrari (#458) that I mentioned above, will be unlikely to race in Toronto. Speaking to one of the techs working on a fix, he said that it was not just the front fenders - inner and outer pieces. That Ferrari had major body damage. It was bent in the middle. These are unit body. There is no chassis frame per say. The body is the main frame. The driver door had a severe bend in it of about 60 degrees. The centre of the door was really pushed in. The front part of the fender on the driver side had broken off. The front hood had a bend in it, but looked like that could be easily fixed. The bend in the Ferrari, I was told, also bent the steel roll cage around the driver. I was told that getting fender parts was not a problem. The bend in the body will be checked over the next couple of days to see it can be straightened/repaired. If it can then the car will be repaired and back in the Ferrari Challenge. If not is the sad part. Thankfully the driver was unhurt. The Tech also praised the Ferrari. He said that they are extremely safe. They really protect the driver and this one did.

Below is a URL to a short slideshow of the two damaged Ferrari 458s - just copy and paste into another Browser window. It should autostart but if it does not then just click in the Play Arrow:

http://ccvic.zenfolio.com/zf/core/embedgallery.aspx?p=04f0dc020f6705211CCCCCC00f000d 626BHZPB7C48Z111111F5F5F5DDDDDD555555CCCCCC.2

Plse note that I just fixed the URL above. The first try did not work. The one above should now start when copied and pasted into a new Browser window - it did on my Firefox. Sorry for the initial problem.

 

What did Herjavec's car hit?

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Probably a dozen pylons.

His racing in these series should be to watch what he doesn't hit during a race.

Was the same in montreal few weeks back.

 

Looks like it's been an expensive weekend in Toronto for the Ferrari Challenge - minor to major dings. I've read that the Toronto Track is tough because parts of it are concrete while other parts are asphalt. The heat and the glare from the sun likely did not help the drivers.

I'll ask the Indy folks about Herjavec's auto. I sent an email trying to get more details about what happened to car #459 & #17. They replied back that they have no info but they will check with the Ferrari Challenege folks.

 

Your shot looks like it was taken i the Ferrari Paddock area. Were all the lights on in the building? I ask because on Friday the place had most of the lights off in the Ferrari Paddock. Some of the teams had lights going from their transport trailers. Must have been fun for the mechanics to work in the dark.

Back in 2012 when they had the Can-Am cars in that paddock area, everything was well lit. In 2011 it was a lot dimmer. When I walked into the building on Friday I was surprised how dark it was. Looking at the ceiling it seemed like only one out every three lights were on.

Just wondering if dimmed lights was because it was Free Friday, or if it also stayed dim on Sat.

 

I had to check, but yeah, all the lights were on. I attach a photo of that.

Maybe they had some of the lights off on Friday due to the heat? Not sure.

R
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Thanks. Nice composition. Your reasoning makes sense about the dimmed lights because of the heat on Friday. A really hot & sunny day. My arms ended up a similar colour to cooked Lobster.

 

Had sent emails to Honda Indy Indy Media rep asking for details about Ferrari #17, #458 and #007. No reply yet. Checked the race results for both races and Ferrari #17 was raced as that team had expected (they said that the damage was easily repairable). I noticed that the driver of Ferrari #458 had also raced but they listed the car as #458T. Maybe the T stands for temporary. There was no change in #17's description - stayed #17.

It's impressive the support network that Ferrari and North American Ferrari Dealers must be providing that they can get replacement body panels and a temporary Ferrari 458 Challenge Race Cars so quickly.

 

Reagrding the " T " cars... some drivers chose to have 2 cars. The " T " is the back up car and is used when the primary car cannot be repaired at the track. Usually in situations like this.

You may have noticed FNA has a trailer there, it's full of replacement parts for the car. Anything that could be needed, is usually stocked. Each team will bring it's own parts as well, just in case. If time allows, you would be amazed at what the teams can pull off! ( No pun intended )

S

 

Quick fix for Sunday race.
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Honda Indy media relations doesn't care about useless minutae like this.