Henry Surtees RIP

[hamster]

My nipper has just told me the sad news that Henry Surtees - son of John - tragically died following a motor racing accident on Sunday at Brands Hatch. He died in hospital on Sunday, he was only 18 years old.

 

I am not into the sport myself but I do watch my nipper and his wife when they do their production BMW racing. And for that reason the news has touched me, as I am sure it will motor racing fans around the world.

 

Rest in peace Henry and sincere heartfelt condolences to your family and friends.

 

http://www.henrysurtees.com/

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Surtees

[Baj]

Such an utter waste, if you've not seen the crash take a look on you tube. Its not sickening or anything, it looks completely innocuous and you cannot believe the terrible misfortune that resulted in a stray wheel bouncing off his head at that precise millisecond.

 

RIP

[Johnny Bognor]

Such an utter waste, if you've not seen the crash take a look on you tube. Its not sickening or anything, it looks completely innocuous and you cannot believe the terrible misfortune that resulted in a stray wheel bouncing off his head at that precise millisecond.

 

RIP

 

Indeed, what are the chances of that happening? I guess when your numbers up there is little you can do about it.

 

I saw John Surtees at this year's Goodwood FOS - he rode a bike up at the age of 75 - still plenty of life in the old man.

 

RIP Henry

[Ponty]

I didn't like to start this thread yesterday when I saw the news but 24 hours later it still seems utterly incredible that an accident like that could happen. Such a freak occurence and so tragic.

[hamster]

18! that is so terribly young, he was just a boy.

 

My nipper and his Mrs are at Brands the weekend after next. It will be their first time on the GP circuit so approaching Sheene will be quite eerie for them, and as always a worry for me.

[skintsaint]

just seen the clip, freaks me out how life is so precious, looks really innocuous.

 

RIP

[Arizona]

A tragic and incredibly unlucky accident indeed. RIP and condolences to all involved. Sadly not the first time a stray wheel has killed someone in a racing accident. The last 2 F1 fatalities involved stray wheels hitting marshals.

 

There was the one from the 2000 Italian Grand Prix:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYP_7jxj-7k

 

A marshal was killed by the right rear of Trulli's (Jordan on the right as you look at them I think) car. The race was not stopped.

 

And a few months later at the 2001 Aussie GP, a wheel off Villeneurve's car went through a hole barely bigger than the wheel itself:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfEtxjDwB8s

 

There was also a little remembered incident from Imola '94 when debris from a crash at the start knocked a fan into a coma.

[mightysaints]

I was at Brands this weekend and only spoke to Henry not long before the start of the race. It rearly brings it back how dangerous the sport is and how much these guys have to go through to reach F1 etc

Henry was a great guy and always had time to speak to the fans at all the F2 meets i met him at this year.

[lee_saint]

Happens alot of Motorbikes, known a few lads who have passed in freak accidents. One being a few years ago when he crashed, got up and was clipped by another bike, died the day later.

[Arizona]

F**kin' freaky with what happened with Felipe Massa.