there is a memorial tomorrow at crystal cove for those who want to show their support and/or express their condolences.

here is the link with the info:

 

Sigh!!, this thread is everywhere...so sad, I met him couple times at CC, my condolences to familes and friends!!!!

 

OMG this is Deja Vu, i was at West End Alignment Today and a couple of Darrin's (the owner) friends were talking about it and i heard wat happened.

Man this is horrible. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families.

And to think, i actually wanted to run Ca Speedway. Forget that. No more track events for me.

 

I had the pleasure of speaking with Ben quite a few times in person (at CC) and I have to say he was a great guy. It's a shame to lose such a great person.

 

That's some sad stuff...I would think that people with such cars would have a bit more experience at places like this in order to prevent these things...I guess you can never be TOO careful...

 

Wrong!!

The Challange Stradale was sitting at the poorly placed track entry and prior to Ben cresting the hill a volunteer track official told the CS driver to GO! The driver hesitated and the official told the drive to GO again. Right as the CS driver pulled onto the track (as instructed) the track marshal yelled NOOO! Ben crested the hill at 165mph and swerved to miss the other driver (who was instructed to enter the track).

I don't know where you people heard the car caught fire but firsthand accounts of the incident do not agree. You can see from the pictures that the monocoque is still intact and no fire damage is present.

 

Damn, I don't personally know Ben, but I have seen him and his C.GT at CC a couple of times in the past. It's such a shame this happened. My prayer goes out to Ben's family and the family of the passenger. (and the track marshal on duty that day)

 

You might want to try reading the entire thread next time.

I have already updated with the latest news. Initial accounts from eye witnesses are bound to be clouded by emotions. I relay them as they come in directly from FerrariChat. As more details flow in ... I updated as necessary. The fire remark came straight out of the LA Times article and quoted as from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's report:


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"The car left the track, careened onto a grassy area and struck a barrier. The engine compartment then caught fire, according to a San Bernardino County sheriff's report.

On-site medical personnel, the same used for NASCAR and Indy Racing League events at the speedway, responded at 10:40 a.m. and quickly extinguished the fire, sheriff's officials said.

Rudl, who worked in Internet marketing, was pronounced dead at the scene; Keaton was airlifted to Loma Linda University Hospital, where he died about an hour later, according to the San Bernardino County Coroner's Office.

Both suffered multiple traumatic injuries, but neither suffered burns, said Supervising Deputy Coroner Randy Emon. The vehicle made a passenger-side impact at more than 100 mph. Both men were wearing helmets and safety belts"
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FYI ... I've track at California Speedway numerous times, that includes the same 'infield' configuration that was used by FOC on that day. There are NO hills to crest. It's an entirely FLAT layout. The only portion of California Speedway that vaquely qualifies for elevation change is the banking of the Oval section, which was not part of the 'infield' layout. I question the accounts in which your source stated Ben was not seen prior to cresting 'the hill'. Also, the insertoin point onto the (infield) track has ALWAYS been at that same exact location (right after the bridge). That is how the course was designed at California Speedway. While I wouldn't argue (from experience) the location is the most ideal, it was not entirely out of the oridnary as you'll find nearly all tracks have insertion points that are located towards the end of a front straight ... giving pit/traffic marshall plenty of view and advance warning for any incoming traffic.


To the rest,
Please don't hastely blame the driver of the Carrera GT. From what I have gathered, the pilot was no amateur ... although not a professional either. In this case, it was a freak accident in which he was abruptly 'cut off' while traveling in excess of 150 mph. At such speed, there was simply too little time and room for a graceful evasive manuever that is whithin his ability. Arguably, a pilot with better skill may have been able to escape, but perhaps not w.o. injury (both men and car) ... speculating here of course. I'd place the blame on the Pit Marshall as well as the Ferrari that entered w.o. checking his six (always the driver's responsibility).

As for dismissing track events in general due to a freak accident such as this ... come on! None of us stop driving on the street or freeway after numerous fatal accidents. Accidents such as this at the track is simply not a very common thing. At last the choice is yours ... and it is still a free world, so do as you please.

In either case, condolences to the fallen two!!! May they rest in peace.

 

since the monocoque appears to be intact, as well as the seats, and general cabin... do you guys think...

properly installed harnesses, and hans devices would have saved the driver and passenger's lives? or atleast increased their chances of survival? i don't think a rollcage (aside to properly mount harnesses), would have helped. the car structure is fine.

 

A Hans device certainly would not have hurt, but a side impact at triple digit speeds against a K rail is going to impart such massive trauma to the body, I doubt that would have made much difference. Note from the pictures that the car impacted the barrier with so much force that it actually knocked it over! That would basically have the car "explode" to pieces, with the deceleration from 100+mph being absorbed in perhaps a foot laterally, and probably a vertical hop of a couple of feet.....which essentially is nothing. The body just cannot withstand that kind of force, and the twisting from a side impact would probably cause massive internal and spinal injuries too. The passenger where the impact occured did not stand a chance of surviving from the look of the photos. Very sad and somber day.

 

That ferarri driver will live the rest of life knowing he cost two people thiers.

 

So Clint, from what you heard, is it the fault of the track marshal for waving the Ferrari onto the track, or the Ferrari driver for hesitating for so long before actually going onto the track?

 

thats crazy...R.I.P.

 

Steven,
IMO ... it was a break down of two series of events ... that was the marshal's inability to prevent the car from entering the track and the driver who did not proper execute the 'check for incoming traffic'. I won't play devil's advocate by placing more blame on one over the other.

But this likens the scenario that a faulty red light allowed someone to merge onto a freeway. The driver also failed to check for incoming and caused a fatal accident. Who do you place most of the blame on?

 

Even if you check, at the rate the GT was traveling, even if it wasn't there the second you checked, it could've "popped" up over the horizon the second you jump on the track...we can't blame anyone except the track setup, inexperience, and excessive speed.