2013 Le Mans death: RIP Allan Simonsen.

[photonrider]

While not all of us watch Le Mans, (and may even be aware of what happened ten minutes into the race) I'm sure that Allan Simonsen was a familiar name to most of us with racing running in our veins. Simonsen brought a lot to the Sport not the least of it being the fact that he was a young and determined racer, and an inspiration to younger folk.

With this in mind, and so as to not have the presently very active Le Mans thread overshadowed by this awful tragedy, here is a space to talk more about him and post your tributes and condolences.

RIP Allan, and may you fly, unfettered, in whatever form you are now.

Plenty of media links all around the net; you may bring in here whatever adheres to the AUP, and whatever is relevant in providing more information on this incident.

A top racing driver was killed today when his Aston Martin spun off the track at Le Mans.

Allan Simonsen, 34, was fatally injured in the high-speed crash.

His car hit a safety barrier, demolishing the car on the fourth lap of the endurance race at the Tertre Rouge bend.

Simonsen was reported to be awake and talking with medics, but was taken to the hospital where he later died.

The cause of the crash in western France is being investigated.

The Dane was racing at 24 hour Le Mans race for the seventh time. Simonsen was part of the Aston Martin Racing team.

A spokesman for the Le Mans organisers said: “In a serious condition, Allan Simonsen was transferred immediately to the Circuit Medical Centre where he died soon after due to his injuries.

“His family has been informed immediately by David Richards, principal of Aston Martin Racing.

“The Automobile Club de l’Ouest wishes to express its great sadness following this incident, and extends its deepest condolences to the family and those close to Allan Simonsen.”

His death is the first Le Mans 24 Hours fatality since Sebastien Enjolras was killed in an accident during pre-qualifying heats in 1997.



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[Danny]

No matter how many safety precautions you put in place, motorsport will always be dangerous.

RIP to a talented guy. One of the last images he posted on his social media accounts were of his 3 year old daughter. I can't imagine what the family must be going through.

 

[photonrider]

It is tragic on several levels. The race must go on - so therefore we have no time to stop and mourn. Drivers crash. Drivers get injured. But for a driver to actually die on the track is no 'everyday' thing in racing. We lost a great sportsman in racing.

This also brings home again the message about the real dangers that racing brings; this ain't a stick and ball sport.

 

[m8h3r]

I watched footage from onboard the car behind Allens. I just can't believe how such a simple thing has ended so badly. He got out onto a curb. That's it. 55 cars are left running I think. 24hours of racing. How many times will a car take the exact line he did through there. Such a sad moment when Motorsport loses someone. RIP Allen. I hope it wasn't too painful in the final moments and that he went peacefully.

 

[JSilvaGT]

I watched the crash in direct. It's always sad when a person die doing her favourite thing. R.I.P. Allan Simonsen.

 

[Nessy]

Very thoughtful thread, Harry. 👍

R.I.P Allan Simonsen.

 

[Cano]

A tragedy, indeed. This year's race will be forever shadowed by this incident.

His family requested the Aston team to keep going and shoot for victory, and they're doing exactly that. Awesome. Go Aston.

 

[Spacegoat]

Truly shocked when I heard the news, that Allan had passed away. My deepest condolences to his family.

RIP.

 

[m8h3r]

A tragedy, indeed. This year's race will be forever shadowed by this incident.

His family requested the Aston team to keep going and shoot for victory, and they're doing exactly that. Awesome. Go Aston.

I'm glad Aston complied with the families wishes and I'd like to think they would have pulled out if that's what was requested too.

 

[Punknoodle]

RIP Allan, the Motorsport community has lost a real star.

 

[bshs95]

Extremely sad news about

I was Shocked then I heard it on the news.

R.I.P Allan Simonsen

 

[Shinshiki]

So sad. I hope Aston can pull out a win for him now.

 

[250 GTO]

I keep thinking about the family. What they must be going through at this very moment. How in a split second their lives were for ever changed due to a simple incident that occurs 1000's times during the race (hitting a curb)... when they wake up tomorrow, if they are able to sleep at all, it will hit them all over again. It wasn't a dream, they did loose a son/father/brother/husband... it's very sad to think of, and I feel bad for them.

R.I.P Allan. Hope it wasn't too painful

 

[Furinkazen]

Tragic. I'm an Aston fan, but also a racing fan. What these guys do is the most dangerous of all sports. Le Mans remains a throwback to the old days when these incidents where regular consequences.

For me, what shakes me the most is his Twitter status:

Professional race car driver, living the dream..

If it can be any comfort, he died doing what he loved, living his dream.

RIP Alan Simonsen.

 

[adam46]

Very tough to let this sink in. I recall enjoying watching his racing in the British GT series at Brands Hatch last year, and I'd followed him for a while before. A great driver who'll be sorely missed.

R.I.P Allan.

 

[FernandoAchonso]

A very sad start to this event. Allan, you will be missed. Rest in peace.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Allan was a popular man in the paddock down here, as he competed in the Australian GT Championship regularly and one time in the V8 Utes, along with co-driving many times for the V8 Supercar enduros. I was lucky enough to watch him quite a few times from trackside and he'll definitely be missed by many in the Australian motorsport community. My condolences to his family, I can't even begin to imagine how his family would be feeling right now.

 

[braunracing88]

From what I heard on SPEED's broadcast of the race, the blow that eventually killed him came not from contact with the guardrails, but a tree.

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

RIP Allen. You will be missed by everyone from fans all the way to the other teams/drivers. A great legend coming up in the ranks at his age.

And to the other Astons, bring victory with memory of the late Allen!!!! Go Aston Martin!

 

[Jiggins]

Rest in Peace Allan, I hope the end was peaceful. Let's all hope that the Astons can bring home a win.

 

[Nielsen]

This is really sad.

RIP Allan.

 

[disinfected]

So this is the third motorsports death this month. Two of them yesterday alone. Really serves as a reminder to how dangerous the sport can be.

The Aston Martin website has been taken down temporarily aside from a black screen with the text:
Le Mans, 22 June 2013: It is with great shock and sadness that the Aston Martin Racing Team confirms that an accident occurred shortly after the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at around 15:09 hrs CET today (22 June) when the No 95 Vantage GTE driven by Allan Simonsen left the track at Tertre Rouge.

Tragically, and despite the best efforts of the emergency services in attendance, Allan’s injuries proved fatal.

Aston Martin Racing Managing Director, John Gaw, said: “On behalf of all of us at Aston Martin Racing, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the individuals, and families whose friends or loved ones were involved in today's terrible tragedy.”

Aston Martin Racing will not make any further comment until the precise circumstances of the accident have been determined. Next of kin have been informed.

Following the ACO’s media statement concerning the tragic death of Aston Martin Racing driver Allan Simonsen, and at the specific request of his family, the team will continue to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in tribute to Allan.

 

[HaylRayzor]

2 drivers in 2 weeks. Just a reminder that racing is still dangerous.

RIP Allan and Jason.

 

[LancerEvo7]

2 drivers in 2 weeks.

Sadly, it's 3. There was a death at the Nurburgring around the same time as Allan's accident yesterday.

RIP Allan Simonsen.

 

[disinfected]

2 drivers in 2 weeks. Just a reminder that racing is still dangerous.

RIP Allan and Jason.

There was also a veteran driver who suffered a heart attack and died while driving in the VLN endurance race at the Nurburgring yesterday. Sad couple of weeks for sure.

http://jalopnik.com/r-i-p-wolf-sylvester-2-time-vln-champion-who-died-to-541681677

 

[HaylRayzor]

Sadly, it's 3. There was a death at the Nurburgring around the same time as Allan's accident yesterday.

RIP Allan Simonsen.

I wasn't aware of that but it wasn't strictly a racing death.

 

[Mac K]

Another sad two weeks for motorsport, RIP Allan, Jason, and Wolf..

 

[Dean]

What keeps returning to me, is that Allan had a one-year-old daughter. It's very tragic.

May all drivers, mentioned in this thread, rest in peace.

 

[Mac K]

It's disgusting that when you search "Le mans 2013" on YouTube and almost every video is of his crash, we're a sick species..

 

[m8h3r]

Ah man, not another guy gone. RIP.

It's probably just slipped my mind but who is Jason?