A CHAMPION racing driver was behind the wheel of the supercar that crashed into an electricity pole, causing £300,000 of damage.
We revealed yesterday how the accident led to a record insurance payout to repair one of the world's most expensive cars.
The car's owner at the time was retired oil tycoon Gareth Jones, 58.
Yesterday, he told the Record how he was sitting beside the internationally renowned driver as the £528,000 Pagani Zonda S careered off a country road, hit the pole and ended up entangled in barbed wire.
Speaking for the first time about the smash, which happened a few miles from his Aberdeenshire castle last September, he said: "A magazine was doing an appraisal of the car for an article and it was being driven by a professional."
Gareth refused to name the man, adding: "All I'm prepared to say is he was an internationally famous racing champ and the crash wasn't his fault.
"There's no way I'd have given the keys of my car to anyone who wasn't qualified to handle it. We were about three miles from my home on a country road between Auchnagatt and Drumwhindle when he lost control.
"We were travelling at speed. He was driving the car in such fine balance that he never once triggered the traction control.
"It was the state of the road that caused the crash. We hit mud, which is constantly being dragged on to the main roads by tractors coming out of the fields.
"It's something I've complained to the police about but nothing has been done."
Neither man was injured as the car toppled the pole and was left wrapped in the barbed wire.
Gareth said: "Naturally, I was disappointed. I'd paid £400,000 for the car a few years ago and they appreciate in value. But my main reaction was sheer glee that neither of us had been injured."
Despite the extensive damage, the insurers decided such a rare, high-value car was worth repairing and it was shipped to Italy, where the cars are hand-built.
Gareth made more than £30million when he sold Aberdeen firm Dominion Technology Gases in 2007, only 10 years after he founded the company.
He is now restoring his 12th century castle to its former glory and enjoying life in the slow lane - but admitted he loves luxury cars.
The insurance claim on the pranged Zonda, which Gareth once showed off to former Formula I champion Jackie Stewart at Knockhill racing circuit in Fife, was made on the mystery driver's insurance.
Gareth has since traded the car in against a new £1.2million black Zonda F Club Sport, which he is due to take delivery of this summer.
Only 10 Zondas are made each year. They are tailor-made from carbon fibre, titanium and aircraft aluminium.
A spokesman for Aviva, who insured the test driver, said: "This is the biggest payout for repair costs to a private car we have ever seen.
"It is a massive repair cost claim, definitely out of the ordinary."
After discussions between engineers and the car's designer, Horacio Pagani, it was agreed the vehicle could be repaired. It is expected to be ready by May.
well except the council.
