Club Arnage

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GkjOv2HJeZM

The Kruse Lola had a massive crash last night, going to need a huge effort to get it back together.

Thankfully Noda was able to walk away, but more worring is that this is the 4th time at least current P car has flipped. Something is not right with the underbody rules, you can only knock on the door so many times before its opened and we have a crash with more serious results.

 24 hours is a long time and I think it likey others are going to go over.

These guys seriously missed out in the luck queue.  Looked a right mess. :(

Debs, how bad is the damage ? Some news say that the car is destroyed completely indicating that a participation is out of question. Oh, crap...

Fortunately, Hideki is ok.

 :-\

I only saw the camera footage, which is pretty much on Nordic's link - but there were LOADS of bits - quite some jigsaw puzzle.  I'd be amazed if they can glue it back together in time.

Really sad when teams on tight budgets sustain damage like this. 

That's bad, bad, bad news. I texted Werner but haven't got a reply yet.  :-\

From DSC:

Kai Kruse:

“The accident was a bad one and the damage is serious, very serious.  We will know tomorrow whether it can be fixed.  Hideki is at the medical centre being checked over but he seems fine.”

Yes, I read the DSC bit. The German Motorsport Magazin (http://www.motorsport-magazin.com/motorsport/news-61384-peugeot-weiter-an-spitze-zwei-schwere-unfaelle-in-nacht.html) writes this...

"Das erste Nacht-Qualifying zum 24 Stundenrennen von Le Mans endete mit einem großen Knall: beim Anbremsen zur zweiten Kurve verlor Hideki Nota die Kontrolle über seinen Prototypen, der vom deutschen Team Kruse Schiller Motorsport eingesetzt wird. Der LMP2-Bolide überschlug sich mehrfach und wurde völlig zerstört - der Fahrer blieb glücklicherweise okay."

which sounds a lot more sinister. They say that the car was completely destroyed during the crash, Hideki seems to be fine.
Arggg... I can't really believe it.  :'(

All I need now is a German Dictionary....

If you read between the lines the essence is that they are out of the race.

Endurance Info has a different story this morning:

http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5796&thold=0

This in  effect says that the monocoque is in the pit, surrounded by mechanics working away - so I guess the message is that they are going to try everything they can to repair it.

I've just spoken to Simonsen's cousin and he says the car is completely destroyed and is very unlikely to turn a wheel again.
 Such a shame.

The tone of the piece I quoted basically says "nothing is impossible" but the team spirit has taken such a knock coming so close to the Spa problems.  The monocoque is intact but that's about all by the sound of it.  Depressing stuff.

Ok, but there's hope and I know the Kruse guys are a hard working bunch who will tear their heart out to get this car rolling again. Let's pray they can do the impossible.

Any news on the Pesca? Looked like it got a good smack on both ends. Is it fixable?

Lots of work but nothing to suggest it won't run. 

I just spoke to a chap called Jim Jordan from Maza Sport America and the guy who is going to re-build the tub. Lola are manufacturing parts in the UK now and shipping them over ASAP, hopefully later tonight. The builder is confident he can repair the car ("I've repaired an Audi in the pits with a bigger hole in it than that") and while they won't make it today, they WILL be racing ..... So good news.

Great news and even better reporting. :cheers:

Thanks for the update... and breathe... I'll get them some extra cream for their Apfelstrudel.

Keeping everything crossed they get it fixed in time.