ID :
179157
Sun, 05/01/2011 - 14:27
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/179157
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Reindler V8 crash aftermath to be probed
SYDNEY (AAP) - An investigation is underway into whether track officials reacted quickly enough to a horrifying V8 Supercar crash that left driver Karl Reindler with burns.
Fellow driver Jason Bright was critical of fire marshals' reaction time at Perth's Barbagallo Raceway on Sunday after Reindler's stalled Holden was rear-ended by Steve Owen's car at an estimated 150km/h.
A fireball erupted as Reindler's car jumped into the air and spun away.
Reindler clawed his way out and was treated for burns to his hands and face, while Owen was complaining of abdominal soreness.
Bright, who won the race and whose Brad Jones Racing team also runs Reindler's car, said pit crews were first on the scene to put out the fire rather than official fire marshals, and lessons needed to be learned.
"It was pretty scary seeing the mechanics being the guys on the scene and fire crews walking up to the car," Bright said.
"It was lucky Karl wasn't knocked out.
"I'm sure there'll be an investigation. The car has pulled up close to the car that wasn't as on fire, and I saw a guy walking up to the car casually, while the car's on fire with a driver in it.
"That's horrifying. You've got guys jumping the pit wall, at the car trying to put it out with a fire extinguisher. One of our guys went through two fire extinguishers before he saw anyone else helping him.
"We need to work on that.
"Drivers do everything we can to protect ourselves. Teams work very hard to build the cars as safe as possible. We also want to see everyone else performing at the same level."
Race director Tim Schenken confirmed he had asked the Seven Network for tape of the crash and the aftermath.
He is likely to head the review, conducted by the Confederation of Australian Motorsports (CAMS) which is responsible for track safety and marshals during V8 events.
"It's very difficult to make an assessment until we have a close look at all the footage. We'll review the incident and learn as much as we can from it," Schenken told AAP.
Reindler's car was left a fire-whitened shell, the $600,000 vehicle a partially-melted write off.
"Before I knew it I saw flames inside the car. I guess I panicked and tried to get out as quick as I could," Reindler said before being taken to hospital for treatment.
"My body's fine, it's just my hands."
Holden driver Jamie Whincup extended his championship lead with wins in two of the three weekend races.
Whincup now leads teammate Craig Lowndes by 142 points after nine races of the 27-race season.
Fellow driver Jason Bright was critical of fire marshals' reaction time at Perth's Barbagallo Raceway on Sunday after Reindler's stalled Holden was rear-ended by Steve Owen's car at an estimated 150km/h.
A fireball erupted as Reindler's car jumped into the air and spun away.
Reindler clawed his way out and was treated for burns to his hands and face, while Owen was complaining of abdominal soreness.
Bright, who won the race and whose Brad Jones Racing team also runs Reindler's car, said pit crews were first on the scene to put out the fire rather than official fire marshals, and lessons needed to be learned.
"It was pretty scary seeing the mechanics being the guys on the scene and fire crews walking up to the car," Bright said.
"It was lucky Karl wasn't knocked out.
"I'm sure there'll be an investigation. The car has pulled up close to the car that wasn't as on fire, and I saw a guy walking up to the car casually, while the car's on fire with a driver in it.
"That's horrifying. You've got guys jumping the pit wall, at the car trying to put it out with a fire extinguisher. One of our guys went through two fire extinguishers before he saw anyone else helping him.
"We need to work on that.
"Drivers do everything we can to protect ourselves. Teams work very hard to build the cars as safe as possible. We also want to see everyone else performing at the same level."
Race director Tim Schenken confirmed he had asked the Seven Network for tape of the crash and the aftermath.
He is likely to head the review, conducted by the Confederation of Australian Motorsports (CAMS) which is responsible for track safety and marshals during V8 events.
"It's very difficult to make an assessment until we have a close look at all the footage. We'll review the incident and learn as much as we can from it," Schenken told AAP.
Reindler's car was left a fire-whitened shell, the $600,000 vehicle a partially-melted write off.
"Before I knew it I saw flames inside the car. I guess I panicked and tried to get out as quick as I could," Reindler said before being taken to hospital for treatment.
"My body's fine, it's just my hands."
Holden driver Jamie Whincup extended his championship lead with wins in two of the three weekend races.
Whincup now leads teammate Craig Lowndes by 142 points after nine races of the 27-race season.
