24 Heures du Mans | 15:06:00
There has been another horrifying shunt at the Circuit de la Sarthe, this one also involving an Audi R18. The № 1 car piloted by Mike Rockenfeller was forced off the track by an indefensibly irresponsible G.T. car, one piloted by a gentleman (read: amateur) driver. It is believed that "Rocky," an immensely amiable chap whom Audi is wise to make prominent in their P.R., was able to evacuate the wrecked husk of his prototype under his own power & he has been taken to hospital for medical examination. Night has fallen at Le Mans, meaning there are no pictures of this. His R18 was torn to ribbons & in so doing it severely deranged the armco crash barrier also the curiously unnamed stretch of track leading from the Mulsanne Corner to Indianapolis, necessitating a full-course yellow-flag caution period. The remaining competitors are circling the track behind the safety cars. I've said a prayer for all the drivers, marshals & officials, & spectators (including the press) to escape from the race alive & unharmed. Let us hope the Lord will be merciful. Let us also pray that word soon reaches us that Rocky is understandably shaken but fundamentally sound. I hate shunts, they hang above my love of motorsport like the Sword of Damocles.