Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames.
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Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames.
It happened in Japan about 6 years ago in 1998. The Ferrari driver sustained serious burns on his body and ended his career. Videos can be seen here:
http://www.big-boys.com/articles/japancrash.html
http://ezshare.de/files-en/791....html
6 years later, the court finally awarded the Ferrari driver a payout due to the negligence of the organizers that left him burning for 90 secs and among other issues.
Quote:
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A racing car driver whose career ended with a sickening crash five years ago Wednesday was awarded 90 million yen compensation after the Tokyo District Court ruled race organizers were to blame for his crippling accident.
Tetsuya Ota fell well short of getting the 300 million he had been asking from the five organizers and the marshal of the 1998 race where he suffered severe burns that ruined his driving career, but received the vindication he had been looking for.
"The crash was caused when the flag car suddenly slowed down," Presiding Judge Tsuyoshi Ono said. "Firefighting and rescue preparations were also not up to scratch."
Ota was delighted with the court win. "I would like to thank everybody who has supported me along the way," the 43-year-old once referred to as Japan's best Ferrari handler said in the wake of the ruling.
Those ordered to pay Ota include Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, where the horrifying crash occurred, and TV Tokyo, which broadcast the race.
None of the defendants have stated whether they will appeal against the ruling, including TV Tokyo, which spent the entirety of the court battle arguing that it could not be regarded as one of the race organizers.
Court records said Ota's terrifying crash occurred during a warm-up lap before the official start of the race in May 1998. Ota's car burst into flames after slamming into another vehicle that had already stopped because of a different accident.
Ota was stuck in the fireball for almost 90 seconds before rescuers finally dragged him out. He sustained burns across his body and is still unable to move his right arm, right shoulder and fingers properly.
Judges ruled the flag car should have been traveling at about 60 kilometers per hour instead of the 150 kilometers it was doing, and caused the accident by slowing too quickly. Ota was forced to unexpectedly drop his pace and, as a result, he lost control and smash into the stationary vehicle.
They also decided that Ota was left in his flaming vehicle for too long and organizers had neglected their responsibility to get him out of the burning car within 30 seconds of the blaze erupting.
A pre-race agreement between Ota and the organizers not to pursue legal action in the event of an accident was also dismissed as unacceptable.
"A letter that tries to eliminate one party from taking any responsibility for major accidents caused by gross negligence is incorrect, unfair and not void in this court," presiding judge Ono said.
TV Tokyo's attempt to avoid being regarded as one of the race organizers was dismissed by the court, which ruled it was involved in sufficient decisions made about the race to be viewed as one of the organizations directly concerned with running it.
Ota made his debut in 1982, racing in the Formula 3000 series before switching to GT car races in which he competed in four straight Le Mans 24-hour races.
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Full article here:
http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news....html
http://www.big-boys.com/articles/japancrash.html
http://ezshare.de/files-en/791....html
6 years later, the court finally awarded the Ferrari driver a payout due to the negligence of the organizers that left him burning for 90 secs and among other issues.
Quote:
------------------------------
A racing car driver whose career ended with a sickening crash five years ago Wednesday was awarded 90 million yen compensation after the Tokyo District Court ruled race organizers were to blame for his crippling accident.
Tetsuya Ota fell well short of getting the 300 million he had been asking from the five organizers and the marshal of the 1998 race where he suffered severe burns that ruined his driving career, but received the vindication he had been looking for.
"The crash was caused when the flag car suddenly slowed down," Presiding Judge Tsuyoshi Ono said. "Firefighting and rescue preparations were also not up to scratch."
Ota was delighted with the court win. "I would like to thank everybody who has supported me along the way," the 43-year-old once referred to as Japan's best Ferrari handler said in the wake of the ruling.
Those ordered to pay Ota include Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, where the horrifying crash occurred, and TV Tokyo, which broadcast the race.
None of the defendants have stated whether they will appeal against the ruling, including TV Tokyo, which spent the entirety of the court battle arguing that it could not be regarded as one of the race organizers.
Court records said Ota's terrifying crash occurred during a warm-up lap before the official start of the race in May 1998. Ota's car burst into flames after slamming into another vehicle that had already stopped because of a different accident.
Ota was stuck in the fireball for almost 90 seconds before rescuers finally dragged him out. He sustained burns across his body and is still unable to move his right arm, right shoulder and fingers properly.
Judges ruled the flag car should have been traveling at about 60 kilometers per hour instead of the 150 kilometers it was doing, and caused the accident by slowing too quickly. Ota was forced to unexpectedly drop his pace and, as a result, he lost control and smash into the stationary vehicle.
They also decided that Ota was left in his flaming vehicle for too long and organizers had neglected their responsibility to get him out of the burning car within 30 seconds of the blaze erupting.
A pre-race agreement between Ota and the organizers not to pursue legal action in the event of an accident was also dismissed as unacceptable.
"A letter that tries to eliminate one party from taking any responsibility for major accidents caused by gross negligence is incorrect, unfair and not void in this court," presiding judge Ono said.
TV Tokyo's attempt to avoid being regarded as one of the race organizers was dismissed by the court, which ruled it was involved in sufficient decisions made about the race to be viewed as one of the organizations directly concerned with running it.
Ota made his debut in 1982, racing in the Formula 3000 series before switching to GT car races in which he competed in four straight Le Mans 24-hour races.
------------------------------
Full article here:
http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news....html
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Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (Wai)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wai »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://ezshare.de/files-en/791....html</TD></TR></TABLE>
This vid is a little disturbing to watch. You could see how the guy dragged himself on the ground, fell down, and with smoke still coming out of his helmet thru the visor.
This vid is a little disturbing to watch. You could see how the guy dragged himself on the ground, fell down, and with smoke still coming out of his helmet thru the visor.
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From: kuidaore
Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (Wai)
I remember seeing an edited version of that awhile ago.
Wasn't there any sort of Halon system in that car? It looked like it just blew up and nothing would stop it. I might be a bit naive but, when I was a firefighter and Halon was used the fire came to an abrupt halt. Maybe not entirely put out, but seriously diminished.
Well, good for him to win his fight. It's too bad he had to suffer so much and for so long.
Wasn't there any sort of Halon system in that car? It looked like it just blew up and nothing would stop it. I might be a bit naive but, when I was a firefighter and Halon was used the fire came to an abrupt halt. Maybe not entirely put out, but seriously diminished.
Well, good for him to win his fight. It's too bad he had to suffer so much and for so long.
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Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (Wai)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wai »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
This vid is a little disturbing to watch. You could see how the guy dragged himself on the ground, fell down, and with smoke still coming out of his helmet thru the visor.</TD></TR></TABLE>
And it took them 6 years to determine that safety wasn't up to snuff after watching that video?
This vid is a little disturbing to watch. You could see how the guy dragged himself on the ground, fell down, and with smoke still coming out of his helmet thru the visor.
</TD></TR></TABLE> And it took them 6 years to determine that safety wasn't up to snuff after watching that video?
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Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (EX_AutoXer)
Very glad to hear the driver survived, very sad to hear the extent of his injuries.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EX_AutoXer »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
And it took them 6 years to determine that safety wasn't up to snuff after watching that video?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I am sorry to have to say this but thank G-d courts don't assign blame/fault/ineptitude/guilt and other such values as summarily as folks do these days simply because they saw a video clip, heard a 3 minute synopsis of a court case or heard a 30 second sound bite from a pundit. Kinda torques my lugnuts that we think we can make such assertions with only a fraction of the data that a court will see - and yes, this is about a societal problem for me, not your response to this thread. No offense, it just touches on a issue of great irritation to me.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EX_AutoXer »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
And it took them 6 years to determine that safety wasn't up to snuff after watching that video?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I am sorry to have to say this but thank G-d courts don't assign blame/fault/ineptitude/guilt and other such values as summarily as folks do these days simply because they saw a video clip, heard a 3 minute synopsis of a court case or heard a 30 second sound bite from a pundit. Kinda torques my lugnuts that we think we can make such assertions with only a fraction of the data that a court will see - and yes, this is about a societal problem for me, not your response to this thread. No offense, it just touches on a issue of great irritation to me.
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From: I am Tyson
Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (Wai)
what the... that guy got absolutely no medical attention after being taken from the car, and rather haphazardly too. what the heck were they paying so much attention to, you got one guy try to slap the guy awake and carry him like a raggedy ann doll...
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Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (Tyson)
On one hand my opinion is driving in a motorsport event is an inherently dangerous activity and by putting yourself into this dangerous activity you "assume the risk" of getting hurt and that others may not respond "perfectly" to the incident. If every person that got hurt in a motorsports event sued somebody well the sport would be dead. How many people here that race or do track events have ever actually read the release they are signing? Some releases expressly have you waive negligence due to insufficient response of track/safety personnel. I guess that is why in places like Germany you can drive on the "Ring" for a fee and if you buy the farm, oh well.
On the other hand as a divisionally licensed SCCA flagging and communication worker I am appalled at the response of the course worker in the second video. The driver should have NEVER been left alone after being pulled from the car. You can see by the presence of others that it was not necessary. Pulling off the neck collar/support is a tough call. If it is fried from the fire the guy could continue to get burned by it touching his skin. If his suit was on proper and that was not an issue I would shudder to do anything to move somebody neck after a violent crash unless it was absolutely necessary. I volunteer my time at several events every year and if I thought drivers were going to be sue happy at the corner workers then I would stop volunteering my time and if others workers feel the same way then well no race goes forward.
Barry H.
On the other hand as a divisionally licensed SCCA flagging and communication worker I am appalled at the response of the course worker in the second video. The driver should have NEVER been left alone after being pulled from the car. You can see by the presence of others that it was not necessary. Pulling off the neck collar/support is a tough call. If it is fried from the fire the guy could continue to get burned by it touching his skin. If his suit was on proper and that was not an issue I would shudder to do anything to move somebody neck after a violent crash unless it was absolutely necessary. I volunteer my time at several events every year and if I thought drivers were going to be sue happy at the corner workers then I would stop volunteering my time and if others workers feel the same way then well no race goes forward.
Barry H.
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From: Arlington // Madison Motorsports, VA, USA
Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (Wai)
I haven't watch this particular video yet but the situation reminds me of the accident that costed Moto GP race Daijiro Katoh his life. He was in a bad accident and the paramedics just plopped him on the stretcher with no head support with his head dangling from the stretch. He later died from his head injuries Ironically enough, this happened at Suzuka.
Ironically enough, this happened at Suzuka.
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Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (apexinghonda)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by apexinghonda »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On one hand my opinion is driving in a motorsport event is an inherently dangerous activity and by putting yourself into this dangerous activity you "assume the risk" of getting hurt and that others may not respond "perfectly" to the incident. If every person that got hurt in a motorsports event sued somebody well the sport would be dead. How many people here that race or do track events have ever actually read the release they are signing? Some releases expressly have you waive negligence due to insufficient response of track/safety personnel. I guess that is why in places like Germany you can drive on the "Ring" for a fee and if you buy the farm, oh well.</TD></TR></TABLE>
There's a reason why it took the court 6 years to close the case.
I think almost all of us here would not participate in a race if there's no EMS or fire truck attended right? So the "assumed risk" is not up to the level of being burnt unattended for 90 secs. Or has anyone here included that in their "assumed risk"?
There's a reason why it took the court 6 years to close the case.
I think almost all of us here would not participate in a race if there's no EMS or fire truck attended right? So the "assumed risk" is not up to the level of being burnt unattended for 90 secs. Or has anyone here included that in their "assumed risk"?
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Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (apexinghonda)
Holy $hit! They just ignored the driver and let him roll around in pain on the ground. Un-freaking-believable.
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From: formerly elgorey, VIRginia
Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (JMU R1)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JMU R1 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Ironically enough, this happened at Suzuka.</TD></TR></TABLE>
.... likely to be more than just a coincidence.....
that video makes me sick
even a retarded donkey knows to give the driver the top attention, not the stupid *** cars
.... likely to be more than just a coincidence.....
that video makes me sick
even a retarded donkey knows to give the driver the top attention, not the stupid *** cars
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From: japizona
Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (Wai)
isnt that porsche driver the one in all the best motor vids with Tsuchiya? i believed he too retired after that race.
i remember watching that video a while back before i went to a JGTC race. I chose to sit a little furth back in the grand stands
Modified by R you serious at 1:48 PM 12/7/2004
i remember watching that video a while back before i went to a JGTC race. I chose to sit a little furth back in the grand stands
Modified by R you serious at 1:48 PM 12/7/2004
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Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (apexinghonda)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by apexinghonda »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On one hand my opinion is driving in a motorsport event is an inherently dangerous activity and by putting yourself into this dangerous activity you "assume the risk" of getting hurt and that others may not respond "perfectly" to the incident. If every person that got hurt in a motorsports event sued somebody well the sport would be dead. How many people here that race or do track events have ever actually read the release they are signing? Some releases expressly have you waive negligence due to insufficient response of track/safety personnel. I guess that is why in places like Germany you can drive on the "Ring" for a fee and if you buy the farm, oh well.
Barry H. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Well, as I tend to agree with you, there is an important point missed here! As Wai already pointed out, the issue is with "assume the risk". Everyone of us knows that motorsports is inherently dangerous, but if something does happen we "expect" that the EMS and officials will take the correct course of action in getting to us, and getting us out of the car and to a facility that can care for us. That is priority number 1!
When gross negligence is demonstrated in the handling of those actions, a lawsuit is justified and warranted! Lawsuits are not always bad. The keep things like that from happening again because the lawsuits will cost more than it will to fix whatever caused the lawsuit!
Barry H. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Well, as I tend to agree with you, there is an important point missed here! As Wai already pointed out, the issue is with "assume the risk". Everyone of us knows that motorsports is inherently dangerous, but if something does happen we "expect" that the EMS and officials will take the correct course of action in getting to us, and getting us out of the car and to a facility that can care for us. That is priority number 1!
When gross negligence is demonstrated in the handling of those actions, a lawsuit is justified and warranted! Lawsuits are not always bad. The keep things like that from happening again because the lawsuits will cost more than it will to fix whatever caused the lawsuit!
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Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (Wai)
Well actually you could be "unattended" for up to two minutes. Per the SCCA GCR 16.3.2 "Fire Truck", "There shall be one fire truck which shall be equipped to fight automobile fires. It is recommended the vehicle be stationed so it can reach any point on the racing surface within two minutes at a speed not to exceed fifty mph."
Now will a corner worker be able to run to you in less 45 seconds with their 10lb fire extinguisher? Probably. I can think of places where it might take longer (try responding cross track with a fire bottle leading up to turn 10a at Road Atlanta on a GT1 >2 race 160mph+ traffic). If you are across track and all the cars have not slowed down enough, the corner worker has to be able to get across track without getting hit. The safety of the corner worker comes first, the driver second although some cast caution to the wind in responding to a driver. Would one ten pound fire extinguisher put out that Ferrari in 90 seconds? I doubt it very much. I have been to fire school and tried to suppress a fire of similar size with MULTIPLE fire bottles and it is not easy.
For people that do track events or race I would suggest trying a little corner working. I know I can die in a flaming car for yes, ninety seconds because the workers can't get to me fast enough (or suppress the fire enough to reach in to get me) or the fire truck can not get there with its 200 gallon pumper of "Cold Fire" within that time.
If you are at a DE event or for some, not all non-SCCA races (not pointing the finger at any organization), it might not be staffed as "heavily" as a SCCA race. At a DE event that corner worker may have never been to a flagging or fire school or even pulled a pin on a fire extinguisher before. I know all of this because I have seen and attended crashes on course during races, responded to a crash/fire, and worked everything from a SCCA club race to ALMS Petit Lemans/World Challenge. In spite of the best intentions you can die in a fire and people may not get to you quickly enough. I know this and knowingly engage in the sport. If you are uncomfortable with that thought, a new sport might be suggested. Do I approve of the post crash "care" on the second video? No I do not.
Barry H.
Modified by apexinghonda at 8:49 PM 12/7/2004
Now will a corner worker be able to run to you in less 45 seconds with their 10lb fire extinguisher? Probably. I can think of places where it might take longer (try responding cross track with a fire bottle leading up to turn 10a at Road Atlanta on a GT1 >2 race 160mph+ traffic). If you are across track and all the cars have not slowed down enough, the corner worker has to be able to get across track without getting hit. The safety of the corner worker comes first, the driver second although some cast caution to the wind in responding to a driver. Would one ten pound fire extinguisher put out that Ferrari in 90 seconds? I doubt it very much. I have been to fire school and tried to suppress a fire of similar size with MULTIPLE fire bottles and it is not easy.
For people that do track events or race I would suggest trying a little corner working. I know I can die in a flaming car for yes, ninety seconds because the workers can't get to me fast enough (or suppress the fire enough to reach in to get me) or the fire truck can not get there with its 200 gallon pumper of "Cold Fire" within that time.
If you are at a DE event or for some, not all non-SCCA races (not pointing the finger at any organization), it might not be staffed as "heavily" as a SCCA race. At a DE event that corner worker may have never been to a flagging or fire school or even pulled a pin on a fire extinguisher before. I know all of this because I have seen and attended crashes on course during races, responded to a crash/fire, and worked everything from a SCCA club race to ALMS Petit Lemans/World Challenge. In spite of the best intentions you can die in a fire and people may not get to you quickly enough. I know this and knowingly engage in the sport. If you are uncomfortable with that thought, a new sport might be suggested. Do I approve of the post crash "care" on the second video? No I do not.
Barry H.
Modified by apexinghonda at 8:49 PM 12/7/2004
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Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (apexinghonda)
Very well said Barry! I agree with you 100%. I was just simply trying to point out the difference between "this" lawsuit and most of the other retarded ones that bog down our legal system! I was really just referring to "this" type of incident in which it was obvious how poorly it was handled.
Fire is a real danger and one I try to keep in the back of my mind. One that I hope none of us have to deal with.
I for one am glad knowledgeable people like yourself Barry are manning those corners! to you and all the other like yourself! 
Edited for spelling!
Fire is a real danger and one I try to keep in the back of my mind. One that I hope none of us have to deal with.
I for one am glad knowledgeable people like yourself Barry are manning those corners!
to you and all the other like yourself! Edited for spelling!
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Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (prkiller)
At the end of the first video, when the porsche guy is crawling out, everyone is just standing around scratching themselves!
Real nice how the worker starts to pick up the 2nd driver, and then seemingly changes his mind or something, and just drops him back on the ground.
Real nice how the worker starts to pick up the 2nd driver, and then seemingly changes his mind or something, and just drops him back on the ground.
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Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (Wai)
ezshare link doesn't work for me in either Firefox or IE (Win2k).. it counts down, and then does nothing.
it worked for you guys?
it worked for you guys?
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Re: Ferrari & Porsche race cars collided, burst into flames. (trigun7469)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by prkiller »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I for one am glad knowledgeable people like yourself Barry are manning those corners! to you and all the other like yourself!
</TD></TR></TABLE>
A "thank you corner workers" is always most appreciated. At SCCA events the corner workers do not get paid. They usually even don't get their motel paid for by the Region putting on the event. Other region's workers come to my region to work for free and I go to their region to help with their races. It is a "family" of sorts. They travel and pay their own way, stand out in whatever weather comes race day, and put themselves in the way of harm as volunteers so that racers can race safer. Well it is the best seat in the house.
Barry H.
I for one am glad knowledgeable people like yourself Barry are manning those corners! to you and all the other like yourself!
</TD></TR></TABLE>
A "thank you corner workers" is always most appreciated. At SCCA events the corner workers do not get paid. They usually even don't get their motel paid for by the Region putting on the event. Other region's workers come to my region to work for free and I go to their region to help with their races. It is a "family" of sorts. They travel and pay their own way, stand out in whatever weather comes race day, and put themselves in the way of harm as volunteers so that racers can race safer. Well it is the best seat in the house.
Barry H.