FIA GT3 Championship

FIA GT3 race Paul Ricard suspended after heavy crash

© DPPI

Round 9 of the 2009 FIA GT3 European Championship was suspended after several accidents occurred on lap 4 of the 60-minute race at Paul Ricard HTTT when rain fell on the exit of Turn 7, while the cars were on slick tyres. The race had been declared wet before the cars left the pits for the grid.

The incidents involved several cars losing traction or spinning trying to avoid debris on the track. The cars involved were the #56 CRS Racing Ferrari 430 Scuderia of Phil Quaife, #26 Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS of Christopher Mies, #5 Callaway Competition Corvette Z06R of Arnaud Peyroles, #29 Fischer Racing Ford GT of Marc Grindorf, #31 Reiter Engineering Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 of Albert von Thurn und Taxis and #3 Hexis Racing AMR Aston Martin DBRS9 of Thomas Accary. The race was immediately suspended by showing the red flags, with circuit marshals and other emergency staff promptly on the scene within 90 seconds. The race was then called off by the Race Director, with the remaining cars returning to Parc Ferme.

All of the drivers involved were taken to the circuit medical facility with all but Christopher Mies being released after checks by the FIA Medical Delegate. Mies, who had suffered a mild concussion in the incident, was taken to La Ciotat hospital by ambulance for observation. The FIA Medical Delegate reported that the condition of all of the drivers involved were not life threatening.

While the leader had completed four laps, the result of Round 9 was declared after lap two and under Article 18 of the FIA GT3 European Championship Sporting Regulations half points are awarded to both drivers in each of the points scoring cars. The race was not resumed due to the time required to repair the extensive damage to the safety barriers at Turn 7.

Car 32 Team Rosberg Audi R8 LMS driven by Nicolas Armindo was excluded from the race for causing an avoidable accident.