A spectator has died after an accident during the first VLN Championship race of the season on the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
The accident took place less than 90 minutes into the four hour race on the circuit when the Nissan GT-R of British driver Jann Mardenborough crashed just after the crest in the Flugplatz area of the circuit. Cars regularly lift wheels from the track over the crest, but Mardenborough’s car rose excessively, striking the tyre wall with the nose pointing almost straight up. The car then cartwheeled over catch fence.
The car rolled over the low Armco barrier and the line of catch fencing, coming to rest upside down in an area open to fans.
The driver was able to exit the car – seemingly unharmed – but the race was red flagged almost immediately to allow emergency services to reach the accident scene and tend to those affected. Despite this quick work the fan was pronounced dead at the circuit’s medical centre.
Several other fans were taken to local hospitals for further treatment. Mardenborough was also taken to hospital for “routine checks”.
Race organisers took the decision not to restart the race.
“Today’s events have been a tragedy,” reads a statement from Nissan. “We are all deeply shocked and saddened by these events and our immediate thoughts go to the deceased, those injured and their families and friends.
“The team is fully co-operating with the race organisers to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into this incident.”
Though thoughts of everyone at theCheckeredFlag.co.uk go out to all those involved in the accident, and their friends and families.
