Driver fatality at Hampton Downs

[Goat Boy]

I read the awful news that a driver was killed at Hampton Downs on the weekend. I thought there might be something on it here but apparently not.

As it was a "vintage event" according to the Herald I would expect the driver would be known amongst Roger and Ray's group. Very sad.

[RogerH]

It was devastating to the close Formula Junior fraternity to loose one of our mates - Cooper T56 driver Len May.
Len was not only a fellow competitor but a friend so it is doubly sad.
The incident was a sole car accident at high speed at the sweeper at Hampton Downs and the cause is yet to be determined.

[on_to_it]

Originally Posted by RogerH

It was devastating to the close Formula Junior fraternity to loose one of our mates - Cooper T56 driver Len May.
Len was not only a fellow competitor but a friend so it is doubly sad.
The incident was a sole car accident at high speed at the sweeper at Hampton Downs and the cause is yet to be determined.

Roger, my wife mentioned (not sure where she got it from) that there was mention that he may have had a "cardiac event" but I'm not sure if that was a cause or an outcome of the accident. Very, very sad to hear about nevertheless.

[The SpeCTator]

This very sad news indeed.
Condolences to the drivers family and friends, all the FJ community and to the track management.

[RogerH]

Originally Posted by on_to_it

Roger, my wife mentioned (not sure where she got it from) that there was mention that he may have had a "cardiac event" but I'm not sure if that was a cause or an outcome of the accident. Very, very sad to hear about nevertheless.

Due to the manner in which the accident happened there is speculation that a medical event may have been a factor - until this is determined it is just speculation.
It is very sad that we have lost a great guy who was passionate about his special car and Formula Junior racing. Our thoughts are with his wife and family.

[mikuni]

I was very shocked and saddened to hear this news over the weekend. As above, my thoughts are with the family. It is never nice to hear about a death of one of the community.

[socram]

Thanks for your concern Goat Boy. I was doubly worried when I first heard the news as we left an hour before it happened and there is a fair crossover between our own series and the Formula Juniors.

Someone sent me a private message from the Roaring Season web site naming the driver - who I didn't know personally, though I was well aware of the car.

So sad, especially as we have not had a good run this year, with two injury accidents at Taupo in January.

Our condolences too, go to the family, who I gather had relocated from Christchurch after the earthquake and suffered considerable losses there.

So sad and as Roger says, the cause is speculation at this stage

[pigs fly]

From the big island to west (OZ) please pass our condolences to family and friends at this sad time.