Update: Huge Crash of the Audi #1, Duval behind the wheel

Kinja'd!!! "Fred (FreddsterExprs)" (freddsterexprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:09 • Filed to: Le Mans, 2014, LMP1, Audi

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Let's hope the driver, Loic Duval, is alright.

Small update: Duval is out of the car and on his way to the medical center. Meanwhile the R18 is being loaded up.

Update #2: The car is brought back to the pits, covered up on the flatbed. No official news from the medical side yet, fingers crossed.

Update #3:

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Update #4: Dr. Ulrich reports that McNish is with Duval and talking with him, he will now be taken to a hospital for a full check. He also is said to experience pain in the right leg.

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DISCUSSION (43)


Kinja'd!!! BKRM3 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:14

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Holy crap. Seems we're looking at the back of the car here. Hope the front is in better shape. I can't find any news on it yet. Do you know what happened?


Kinja'd!!! Agrajag > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:15

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Wait what? This just happened during a test or something?


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > BKRM3
06/11/2014 at 11:16

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It's the back, yeah. What worries me is that yellow bit sticking out on the roof and that they don't show the wreck on TV. Not a good sign.

It was apparently right before the super fast Porsche curves, the R18 started spinning, got airborne and crashed into the fence, seemingly not loosing a lot of speed until the moment of impact.


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Agrajag
06/11/2014 at 11:17

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Free practice from 16 to 20 pm, happened about 15 minutes ago.


Kinja'd!!! trmoore09 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:20

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updates:

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php…


Kinja'd!!! BKRM3 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:23

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I see what you mean. Yikes.


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > BKRM3
06/11/2014 at 11:24

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Probably was a good thing that it wrecked the back first. More space between the driver and the fence.


Kinja'd!!! For Sweden > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:24

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Which privateer is at fault and were they in a Ferrari?


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > For Sweden
06/11/2014 at 11:25

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I think the involvement of a red Pro-Am 458 is the only fact we know so far.


Kinja'd!!! ncasolowork2 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:26

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I'm not sure if Audi has another chassis ready to go if this one is destroyed...


Kinja'd!!! STREPITUS > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:26

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Well damn. Hopefully Duval is alright. I'm rooting for another Audi sweep.


Kinja'd!!! For Sweden > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:28

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I hate how I knew that without even having to check any facts.


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > ncasolowork2
06/11/2014 at 11:28

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Probably not as they had to rebuild 2 of the currently raced ones anyways. If not, then they might do the Krohn/Ferrari thing and ship one over night.


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > For Sweden
06/11/2014 at 11:29

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Dude, sarcasm (I know, really hard over the internet). The car spun on its own and crashed into the fence.


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > STREPITUS
06/11/2014 at 11:30

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I'm not hoping for an Audi win, but I certainly hope that Duval is fine.


Kinja'd!!! ncasolowork2 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:32

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No I literally mean I don't think they have one period. I think they had to withdraw a spa entry because they don't have spare tubs.


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > ncasolowork2
06/11/2014 at 11:33

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Wait, they were racing 3 cars in Spa. Two high downforce and one Le Mans car.


Kinja'd!!! SubiSanchez > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:34

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Wow that looks like a massive hit. Hope all is well with Duval.


Kinja'd!!! ncasolowork2 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:34

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I think the original plan was to run 4.


Kinja'd!!! 4play > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:36

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That bit of yellow is Duval's helmet.

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Hoping for the best, but strongly doubt he survived.


Kinja'd!!! ncasolowork2 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:37

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I'm unable to find the article about Audi having to fix and repair a chassis in order to compete or withdraw at spa. I suck at google though.


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > ncasolowork2
06/11/2014 at 11:37

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I never heard of that, Audi was only racing 4 LMPs last year during Le Mans test days when they were helping Michelin with tire testing. Do you have any articles on the 4-car plan?


Kinja'd!!! ncasolowork2 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:38

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Good news is the Stig is driving a green Ferrari


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > ncasolowork2
06/11/2014 at 11:41

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I know that repair work was done on 2 of the 3 Spa cars, but never read about a planned 4th car. I also wonder who would be driving it?


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > 4play
06/11/2014 at 11:41

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Shit, I hoped it the seat or something.


Kinja'd!!! PS9 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:43

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No real reason to bag the car unless they want to hide something that shouldn't be on public display. Never a good sign.


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > PS9
06/11/2014 at 11:44

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Yep, and look how they tried to keep eyes from the car on the flatbed. Reminds me of the way Sennas Williams came back to the pits. Hopefully I have the wrong pictures in my head.


Kinja'd!!! f86sabre > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:46

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Wow, yeah that is scary.


Kinja'd!!! Viggen > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:48

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Sportscar365 is reporting that "Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich reported that Duval is awake and alert, and has been transported to the medical center."


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Viggen
06/11/2014 at 11:48

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Edited it in!


Kinja'd!!! Gamecat235 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:48

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That tweet would be great news. Hoping it's accurate.


Kinja'd!!! 4play > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:49

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Wolfgang Ullrich said he's okay. Miracle.


Kinja'd!!! ncasolowork2 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 11:50

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I don't have a handy list of all drivers entered. Is Rockenfeller racing for someone or could Audi potentially draft him for the #1 if necessary?


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > ncasolowork2
06/11/2014 at 11:51

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Rockenfeller is still at Audi DTM Phoenix racing, and he loves Le Mans - he would be able to jump in.


Kinja'd!!! Viggen > ncasolowork2
06/11/2014 at 11:53

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Rocky isn't on a team this year by the looks of it. His focus has been on DTM.


Kinja'd!!! ncasolowork2 > 4play
06/11/2014 at 11:54

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I can't think of any scenario short of a decapitation that would put his helmet with the back of the car. I really hope that isn't actually his helmet.


Kinja'd!!! Viggen > PS9
06/11/2014 at 11:56

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Got to remember, crashed or not, these pictures give a lot of detail to competitors. Ever notice how much Audi tries to block media shots of work being done inside the garages?


Kinja'd!!! Viggen > ncasolowork2
06/11/2014 at 12:01

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Rushing him to the hospital and an EMT or track official saying "Forget the helmet just go!" doesn't cross your mind at all?


Kinja'd!!! ncasolowork2 > Viggen
06/11/2014 at 12:06

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Not when the driver wasn't with that part of the car.


Kinja'd!!! willkinton247 > 4play
06/11/2014 at 12:09

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He probably took it off as he was getting out of the car.


Kinja'd!!! 4play > ncasolowork2
06/11/2014 at 13:17

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He's clearly still in the seat in that picture though. The roof/door of the car was ripped off in the impact. Not a decapitation.


Kinja'd!!! 4play > willkinton247
06/11/2014 at 13:18

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Looks like the roof/door was ripped off and exposed him to the outside. I doubt he took it off or was in any condition to do so.


Kinja'd!!! Mattbob > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
06/11/2014 at 13:24

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This sucks, but this is all I can think of with the name Duval and race car in the same post.