Carrera GT Wreck

[David J Marguglio]

Does anyone know Ben (ben in lj) well enough to call his family to check on his condition? I just heard, second or third hand, that he was involved in a serious accident at California Speedway in his CGT and that he and his passenger were life flighted from the scene. Has anyone heard anything?

[FLYN930]

Terrible news. Apparently they did not survive.

There is a thread on the Pelican Parts BBS with more details.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthre ... ver+killed

Condolences to the family.

[Burl East]

Copied form Pelican's site Quote:

his was a FOC event:

... Ferrari entered the track near the end of the main straight a way (right before the spot where they place the "K" barriers for the chicane) Carrera GT owner Ben Keaton.."twitched" and flipped the car up on the K barrier. From what we gather: The GT owner took a second lap after the parade lap (he wasnt supposed too)

Rumor: there was no pit marshall letting cars out onto the track at the time of the accident.

We had multiple customers running the Ferrari event. Phone calls to the shop started flooding in.

I *think* I have pics of the car prior to accident.

Sorry to hear about this. We knew the guy.

[kary]

Very sorry to hear about this! Very sad indeed!!!

[martinreinhardt]

Very sad http://www.nbc4.tv/news/4562562/detail.html#

[Tawfik]

Condoleances to his wife and daughter.
R.I.P Ben.

[RickK]

There are no words to describe this. Very sad indeed. You don't fully realize how dangerous this sport can be until it affects someone you know.

[Jad]

What a terrible shame. Condolances to their families.

[kary]

Let's all be careful this weekend going to, running at, and coming home from Buttonwillow this weekend!!!

[TheStig]

I just talked to that guy a month ago. Nice guy too....this is sad. I can't describe what a tragedy this was. I sure do hope he's in a better place now..

Rest in Peace Ben....

[TheStig]

I hope there's some sort of Dedication to the memory of Ben at Buttonwillow and the PCASD autocross on June 25. This is a tragic loss for the Porsche Community.

[Jackie C]

As a skydiver, I've seen my share of death in sports and it never gets any easier, especially when you realize the grief that impacts the family. The only solace I can convey is that Ben was a nice guy and went out doing something he loved. He will be missed.
Blue skies,

[JHPGT3]

Copied form Pelican's site Quote:

... Ferrari entered the track near the end of the main straight a way (right before the spot where they place the "K" barriers for the chicane) Carrera GT owner Ben Keaton.."twitched" and flipped the car up on the K barrier. From what we gather: The GT owner took a second lap after the parade lap (he wasnt supposed too)

Rumor: there was no pit marshall letting cars out onto the track at the time of the accident.

Just to clarify what happened, I spoke to someone this evening who was there as Chief Driving Instructor and learned the following:
(1) The oval was not in use. They were only using the infield.
(2) The accident took place just past the bridge by a small access road that is used to enter the track from the pit, if you're only using the infield.
(3) Ben was allegedly going over 160 mph after the bridge --this is pretty incredible for such a relatively short straight following such a slow turn.
(4) Participants were told to stay to the right just in case traffic was entering from the pit to the left.
(5) Ben was to the left, not the right.
(6) Ben was in the midst of an extra lap (they weren't supposed to take) after his run group had finished.
(7) The individual who organized the event was directing cars from the pit to the track and probably made a mistake in letting another car out when Ben was still on the track --he probably, mistakenly thought everyone was off the track as they were supposed to have been.
So, here we go to Buttonwillow in the shadow of this tragedy and with the memory of two people killed at Buttonwillow last year taking parade laps in an Austin Healy. I second the motion to be extra careful, safe and polite to others on the track. This sport is only fun if you live to enjoy it!

[Tim Comeau]

What terrible news.........

[Tawfik]

For those that will not be at Buttonwillow:

There are plans for a vigil at Crystal Cove on Sat 6/4.
See the following post from another forum about details.
http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/show ... adid=27676
RIP Ben.


Be careful in BW.