Carrera GT crash at Fontana
Carrera GT crash at Fontana
06-03-2005, 01:43 PM
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I read about this on the Ferrari board last night. Never met Ben but he had his car out at the last Ferrari outing at Fontana. He was giving ou rides and seemed to be one of the most generous guys out there.
According to a post from someone who witnsessed the crash it wasn't Ben's fault. A Ferrari might have been mistakenly waved onto the track in front of Ben, Ben tried to avoid it and hit the wall. I've read one account where there was no course worker, and another where the course worker waved him on, then reversed himself, the Ferrari driver hesitated, the passenger yelled" Go!" and the driver went.
Either way it's a very sobering tragedy.
According to a post from someone who witnsessed the crash it wasn't Ben's fault. A Ferrari might have been mistakenly waved onto the track in front of Ben, Ben tried to avoid it and hit the wall. I've read one account where there was no course worker, and another where the course worker waved him on, then reversed himself, the Ferrari driver hesitated, the passenger yelled" Go!" and the driver went.
Either way it's a very sobering tragedy.
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06-03-2005, 02:23 PM
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Sure, I forgot that you need a login.
2 Amateur Racers Die in Crash at Speedway
The La Jolla men were driving the course during a club day at the Fontana racetrack.
By Martin Henderson, Times Staff Writer
Two San Diego County men died when the Porsche they were racing crashed and caught fire Thursday morning at California Speedway in Fontana, authorities said.
Benjamin Miles Keaton, 39, and his passenger, Corey Nicholas Rudl, 34, both of La Jolla, died from injuries after Keaton lost control of a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT.
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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, authorities said.
"The driver's side was in good shape, but the passenger side was obliterated," Emon said.
The accident occurred while the track was being rented by the San Diego chapter of the Ferrari Owners Club. Such events are common at the speedway; the facility is in use nearly 300 days a year for a variety of events, including track days by auto clubs and driving schools.
The men are the fourth and fifth fatalities at California Speedway since it opened in 1997.
Champ Car driver Greg Moore was killed during a race in 1999, and Ricky Lundgren died during competition at an AMA Superbike event in 2003. Another motorcyclist died during a track rental in September.
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Times staff writers Susannah Rosenblatt and Lance Pugmire contributed to this report
2 Amateur Racers Die in Crash at Speedway
The La Jolla men were driving the course during a club day at the Fontana racetrack.
By Martin Henderson, Times Staff Writer
Two San Diego County men died when the Porsche they were racing crashed and caught fire Thursday morning at California Speedway in Fontana, authorities said.
Benjamin Miles Keaton, 39, and his passenger, Corey Nicholas Rudl, 34, both of La Jolla, died from injuries after Keaton lost control of a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT.
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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, authorities said.
"The driver's side was in good shape, but the passenger side was obliterated," Emon said.
The accident occurred while the track was being rented by the San Diego chapter of the Ferrari Owners Club. Such events are common at the speedway; the facility is in use nearly 300 days a year for a variety of events, including track days by auto clubs and driving schools.
The men are the fourth and fifth fatalities at California Speedway since it opened in 1997.
Champ Car driver Greg Moore was killed during a race in 1999, and Ricky Lundgren died during competition at an AMA Superbike event in 2003. Another motorcyclist died during a track rental in September.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Times staff writers Susannah Rosenblatt and Lance Pugmire contributed to this report
06-03-2005, 02:46 PM
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I've read the majority of posts on this over at 6speedonline.com. Its a remarkable outpouring of both grief and affection. Its a tragic loss for the families and the community.
Its scary for those of us who have every been on the track or who have traveled at such high speeds. I can identify with him b/c of his young daughter. I pray for his family and that their life w/o him be a fulfilling as it can be in light of such a horrific loss.
Its scary for those of us who have every been on the track or who have traveled at such high speeds. I can identify with him b/c of his young daughter. I pray for his family and that their life w/o him be a fulfilling as it can be in light of such a horrific loss.
06-03-2005, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Adam C
...Was it their car or just borrowing?
A damn shame...
You know, now that I think of it, with all the high-performance car owners within the Rennlist community, it is kind of surprising to me that there are relatively few vehicle-related deaths.
06-03-2005, 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Randy V
It was Keaton's car.
A damn shame...
You know, now that I think of it, with all the high-performance car owners within the Rennlist community, it is kind of surprising to me that there are relatively few vehicle-related deaths.
A damn shame...
You know, now that I think of it, with all the high-performance car owners within the Rennlist community, it is kind of surprising to me that there are relatively few vehicle-related deaths.
Its sad.
I told my GF about this last night, and she started yelling and saying thats why you shouldn't go to the track, blah, blah, blah.
Then I told her it was another case of I'm sorry I brought it up. and furthermore told her I'd rather go out like that doing something you love then going out with her bitching me.
My condolences to all the familys and friends that knew both of them.
06-03-2005, 03:18 PM
#14
Race Car
I am definitely not telling my wife.
I hate to say it, but we do periodically need sobering reminders to minimize future tragedies.
These posts are important to us - but keeping significant others on a need to know basis may be wise policy.
Absolutely heartwrenching news! I am distraught for those families...
I hate to say it, but we do periodically need sobering reminders to minimize future tragedies.
These posts are important to us - but keeping significant others on a need to know basis may be wise policy.
Absolutely heartwrenching news! I am distraught for those families...
06-03-2005, 03:41 PM
#15
Three Wheelin'
A while back there were pictures on wrecked exotics, I think, of a San Diego/LJ GT that was rear ended. I've seen that car in my building (in the UTC area), knew it 'cuz it had the rear bumper/valence removed. Any chance it's the same one? I don't know how many GTs there are in town...
OT, Randy I saw you a couple weekends ago driving down Lomas Santa Fe and you got on the 5 N. Schweet car.
OT, Randy I saw you a couple weekends ago driving down Lomas Santa Fe and you got on the 5 N. Schweet car.