Driver ‘stiff and sore’ after horror airborne crash
A driver competing in the World Time Attack Challenge has miraculously walked away uninjured from a monster crash in which his car was launched several metres into the air and onto an embankment.
Andrew Price was driving a heavily modified Nissan Silvia S13 when the car went straight on at turn two at Sydney Motorsport Park at speeds well north of 200km/h.
Price’s car was launched metres into the air after it crashed into a tyre wall. World Time Attack Challenge
The car didn’t look as if it slowed down at all before crashing head on into a tyre barrier, which launched the car metres into the air, before landing heavily right side up on an embankment.
The broadcast later showed images of Price standing next to the car talking to medics and ambulance staff.
Commentators said the crash was likely caused by some kind of mechanical issue, possibly a stuck throttle.
Price was later taken to Westmead Hospital for precautionary checks.
On Friday night, Price posted a video from hospital – still wearing his fireproof underwear – saying he was OK.
"A little bit of soreness and stiffness, but other than that, I don't know how, but I've walked away from it," he said.
"So first of all, a massive thank you to the Shockworks crew. Chris (O’Brien, car owner), everyone else involved as well.
“They built a safe car. It was a bloody fast car as well, so I’m just sad that we couldn’t get a result out of it, and I feel bad for them. They’re a family team.
“Chris and all the guys have worked so hard to get that car here. I know he said don’t worry about it, but at the end of the day you can’t help (feeling bad).
“They’re the best bunch of blokes that I’ve ever met and they’ve done so much to support me. Massive thank you to them.”
Two of his rivals, Brendan Reeves and Jamal Assaad, also stopped on track to help Price in the immediate aftermath of the crash before emergency workers arrived.
"Also a massive thank you to all the support, medical staff, recovery crew from Sydney Motorsport Park and also the ambos and people at Westmead,” Price said.
“They’ve been amazing to deal with. Also Brendo and Jimmy or Jamal came out to check on me. Brendon was like, ‘Get out of the way, that car’s on fire’, so he was awesome in a very high-pressure situation.
"There’s a whole heap of other people who I’d love to thank. I’ve had a heap of people reach out, but thank you so much, guys. I’m OK. I’ll be back out to the track as soon as I can."
The car came to rest atop an embankment. World Time Attack Challenge
The World Time Attack Challenge is a time-trial event for heavily modified production-based cars. Rather than competing in wheel-to-wheel racing, drivers are basically competing in a series of qualifying sessions to set the fastest single lap time.
While the top classes are usually filled with professional teams and drivers, including several current and former Supercars stars, the lower classes are mainly filled with amateurs.
At the time of the crash, Price had set the sixth-fastest time with a 1:34.049.
The World Time Attack Challenge continues at the western Sydney venue on Saturday and Sunday.
