10 Worst Motorsports Crashes in 2011

Racing is a sport that demands professionalism, expertise, and skill when it comes to maneuvering any kind of fast pacing vehicle, whether it may be stock cars, F1s, big bikes, and others of the said sort. As much as it is exciting to see competitors get into the lead against other races, there are moments wherein unexpected accidents happen. This year, there have been both fatal and big crashes in the motorsports world, which has ended the careers or compromised the situation of some racing drivers. Let us check out the list of this year’s worst motorsports crashes.

10. Early Burn at the V8 Supercar Perth Barbagallo Raceway

At the start of the race, Karl Reindler’s vehicle was hit at the back by Steve Owen’s Commodore, which ended up the car to burst in flames a little too early. Talk about a blazing start!

9. The Big Pileup at the Grand Prix Electrique 2011

Racing electronic cars in smaller streets can be quite dangerous, especially when there is no traction sound and the air is silent. The Grand Prix Electrique 2011 was one event where six cars piled up because of one wheel that took an uncontrollable turn.

8. Double Crash at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

We have to admit that being behind the wheel for over 24 hours is no easy deal, especially when you are in the race against other competitors. The 2011 Le Mans in June had two heavy separate crashes where Allan McNish failed his race in less than an hour while trying to pass against a Ferrari. Another incident occurred with Mike Rockenfeller also crashing with a Ferrari at a staggering speed of 321km/h. Good thing both drivers survived the horror.

7. Injury at the Ronde de Andorra Rally

Robert Kubica, driver of the Lotus Renault GP, has lost control when he drove his Skoda Fabia car at the beginning event of the rally. The car went off the road at high speed, thus making him crash and hurt his right hand badly. Though it may be the case, his driver partner, Jakub Gerber was totally unharmed in the said accident.

6. The American Memorial 500 ends in a Gruesome Accident

Alex Zanardi, two-time CART champion, has joined the race in the American Memorial 500. The accident occurred very fast, even just being out fresh from the pit. His acceleration went too fast; his car became uncontrollable, and ended up barreled by another racer. It was not a crash that he caused but he was the major casualty, even losing both legs in the process.

5. Died in the Olympus Rally Crash with a Tough Turn

Matthew Marker is known in the racing community as a very friendly, generous, and lovable driver, even among his fellow competitors. Despite of his sweet nature, his life ended early at the age of 31 when he took his race in the Olympus Rally, during his fifth year career as a participant of the Rally America National Championship. His death occurred while he was making a tough turn on a downhill, his car sliding towards a tree, banging the driver’s side on the trunk.

4. Malaysian MotoGP Crash Results to a Kill

Marco Simoncelli was killed in a crash that occurred in as early as the second lap of the Malaysian MotoGP in the Sepang Circuit. His Honda bike swerved where he fell down and he was hit by Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, which made Simoncelli lay motionless on the tracks, with his helmet off him. He was administered quickly by emergency staff, but that did not save him.

3. Copa Chevrolet Montana and the Brain Dead Driver

Brazilian stock car driver Gustavo Sondermann has died after a crash in Interlagos, while racing for the Copa Chevrolet Montana, April 3. His crash may not have been fatal as he was coming straight into the pit. However, following his lead, there was another driver that hit Sondermann, thus making him suffer heavy head injuries and was confirmed brain dead when he was treated in the nearby hospital.

2. Death in the National Superstock 600

At 18 years old, Ben Gautrey has so much life in front of him, being a Superbike racing star. However, his bike went out of control when he fell on the right hand of the road and down the mountain section. He fell off and he was even hit by two other riders by mistake, bringing out a casualty of five. Gautrey sustained head and chest injuries in the process, making him die at the last minute.

1. 15-Car Crash at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway

What can be more fatal than seeing a driver killed and including injuries of 15 other drivers in the process? This is what actually happened when Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died in a hard crash at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Even though he was airlifted from the track to University Medical Center to save his life, IndyCar had lost a person and a driver who is considered as a friend and a charmer.