A second Audi R18 TDI has crashed out of Le Mans in terrifying circumstances. This time it was the #1 car with Mike Rockenfeller at the wheel, although the contact was similar to that suffered by Allan McNish who crashed out in the first hour. The 27-year-old German was fast approaching the #71 AF Corse Ferrari and went for an overtake down the inside on entry to the Indianapolis corner. The gap was there, but perhaps Robert Kauffman didn’t see him and the two collided on the apex of the high-speed corner.
The results sent Rockenfeller spearing into the barrier and full pace before crashing over the barriers on the other side of the track. Due to the position on the track and that it was approaching 11pm local time, vision of the crash is limited. Amazingly, it’s been reported that Rockenfeller was able to walk away from his car before being taken to hospital for observation.
We’ve added a short statement from Audi below.
[Source: lemans.org]
2011/06/11
24h Le Mans – Race Facts – Hour 8
Audi loses second car due to an accident
Ingolstadt/Le Mans, June 11, 2011 – Mike Rockenfeller has been hit by a GT car while approaching Indianapolis corner and crashed into the barriers at high speed. The carbon monocoque of the R18 TDI resisted the massive impact. Mike Rockenfeller got out of the car on his own and has been brought to the medical centre of the circuit for checks. At the time of the accident both of the Audi R18 TDI cars had a 1-2 lead in the race.
Positions after 8 hours: 1 Audi #2 2 Peugeot #7 3 Peugeot #9 4 Peugeot #8 5 Peugeot #10
Time Fact
22:15 #1 pit stop: through gravel bed at pit entry, diesel
22:25 #2 pit stop: diesel
22:25 Position change: #1 passes #7
22:40 #1 (Rockenfeller): serious accident after collision with a GT car while
approaching Indianapolis corner, Mike Rockenfeller got out of the car on his own and will be checked at the medical centre of the circuit
22:44 Safety car period, accident of Audi R18 TDI #1
23:00 #2 P1
4 replies on “VIDEO: Mike Rockenfeller crashes out of Le Mans”
Based on the TV coverage the rules seem to be that lapped cars are to stay on the racing line, and the faster car is to work their way around. After the incident with Rockenfeller and Kauffman, the ACO has told Kauffman that he isn’t allowed to drive for the rest of the race, even though it’s painfully obvious he did nothing wrong, he stuck to the racing line like he is supposed to. Just like the earlier incident with McNish the Audi was in the wrong. It’s unfair that GT drivers are being punished for arrogance of certain prototype drivers.
Fair call by the ACO to ban Kauffman, this is completely the opposite to the McNish crash which was the fault of the LMP car making a risky pass. The GT car then switches lanes despite the Audi flashing the headlights and coming up in the unoccupied lane. The Ferrari entry should have been disqualified completely, not just one of the drivers evicted.
Maybe on those long straights there needs to be a “GT keep left” rule to protect the LMP drivers from the amateurs.
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