Rest In Peace Allan Simonsen

Died in the Le Mans crash within the first 20 minutes of the race

I am shocked. Did not see that one coming

 

Has this been confirmed? Very sorry to learn this. I have been watching for updates on his condition since it happened. I was very worried when I saw the damage to the tree behind the rail. Trees do not give.

Edit: I have seen tweets, but no official word.

Edit: ACO confirmed. Very sad.

 

The condition of the car made it pretty likely he could not survive. I'm surprised the team has not been withdrawn.

 

Same here. I understand you have to pay the bills and all but it still seems odd they wouldn't do that out of respect.

 

Understood, but some would go on to show respect for his effort...."he would have wanted us to continue"....
Have fortunately never been in that position.

RIP to the racer.

 

In a less crass era the team would have been withdrawn. Dave Richards, of course, has never been known for sentimentality.

 

I find it disgraceful they aren't withdrawing the team. Allan's website brought tears to my eyes. RIP.

 

Has to do with contracts. People are obligated to complete their contracts.Sentiment has little to do with it.

 

You've read their contracts, then?

At the very least they should have brought the remaining cars in for a thorough inspection. Are they convinced it was driver error?

 

No...but most contracts do require you to fulfill your obligations to the best of your abilities. You did receive compensation for a service.

No information as to the cause. I would think when the cars pitted, they were checked if a problem occurred.

 

I have read the cars have not been withdraw as after Richards broke the very worst kind of news to the Simonsen family, they wanted the cars to continue racing.

Your comments seem harsh.

 

It's sad, but the accident was totally driver error. He got wide on the paint and lost control. He was just a passenger after the car started to go.


Mark

 

His family has asked Aston to continue as a tribute apparently

 

Did he hit the armco head on? Were the trees to close? What is the exit speed on that corner? I know it's not a slow corner.

 

The tree was basically right against the Armco and showed plenty of damage when the workers were repairing the armco.

I don't know the exit speed on the corner, but the hit was very fast. I don't believe it was a head on hit, but the whole car was visibly deranged.


Mark

 

If that is true then the team's actions are understandable.

With respect to contracts, Dave Richards is of sufficient stature, accomplishment and ego that I doubt he would sign any contract that required him to cede ultimate control over any aspect of the operation. If that's what you require as a sponsor or a patron, then Richards isn't your man.

 

Again....that's information we are not being offered. I do know that some contracts have been written as such.

 

An onboard camera in the following car, while it did not show the impact (it was out of frame), strongly suggested that the impact would have been head-on. The car's left side tires went onto the blue paint, the car did a "tank slapper" and the went off to the left at about a 90 degree angle.

 

Yes, i saw the video. Frightening as before the video cuts off, you dont really think it will be fatal (exiting a corner, armco supposed to absorb/bounce the car). But i guess the fact that the trees did show damages is pretty bad and what might have proven fatal.

 

I agree. Very sad. Rest in peace.

 

It looked like a one-in-a-million head-on impact with the barrier. That's a high speed section, so even with all the safety equipment, the instant g forces to the brain must have been way too high. There's only so much crumple zone engineering can do.

 

From the Aston Martin website:

 

We are shocked at the very sad news our friend Allan has died from his injuries. Allan was a fantastically talented racer with countless achievements. Moreover, he was a fantastic gentleman, alway kind and courteous. Our prayers and thoughts are with his lovely wife and baby daughter.

We were looking forward to see him in two weeks time at Ordos race weekend and throw a birthday party for him, but now he is gone. In Ordos we will all drink a toast to you my dear friend to celebrate your life. You will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

 

Sad news indeed. I saw the replay on tv - very bad

RIP

 

Very sad, RIP Allan!