Skip to main content

Dented pride

An Australian man has had to make a somewhat embarrassing apology to his father after crashing a treasured classic racing car. The man was competing in a car rally in Tasmania, taking over racing the Ford Capri after his father injured his back earlier in the competition. The father had warned his son neither to come second, nor to crash the car. However, one corner proved too much for the man’s ability and he lost control of the car as he roared around the bend at some 130km/h. The car left the road, flew
June 13, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
An Australian man has had to make a somewhat embarrassing apology to his father after crashing a treasured classic racing car. The man was competing in a car rally in Tasmania, taking over racing the Ford Capri after his father injured his back earlier in the competition. The father had warned his son neither to come second, nor to crash the car. However, one corner proved too much for the man’s ability and he lost control of the car as he roared around the bend at some 130km/h. The car left the road, flew into the air and landed in the ocean, just missing a Subaru rally car that had crashed shortly before. The man was not seriously hurt, other than to his ego, and nor was the driver of the Subaru. It remains to be seen how long it will be before the classic Ford or modern Subaru Impreza will be racing again. Whether the owner of the 1970 Ford would trust his son with the classic Capri also remains to be seen.

Related Content

  • Speed detection
    March 17, 2014
    The authorities in Lithuania have installed up to 150 speed cameras to help monitor drivers on the country’s road network. This system has proven effective at encouraging locals to respect speed limits, but foreign drivers are not always aware of the speed restrictions and often leave the country before the authorities are able to catch them. With only a number of Lithuania’s neighbouring countries having bilateral agreements over driving offences, this means some drivers escape without charge.
  • Modelling skills
    May 14, 2014
    Two Lego enthusiasts have used their enthusiasm for the versatile plaything to build a full scale car. The vehicle is able to be driven as well and can attain speeds of up to 20-30km/h using its compressed air motor. Its builders say they were wary of attempting to drive it at a higher speed in case it fell apart. The open top car is made of some 500,000 pieces of Lego and feaures a novel four bank, radial engine design powered by compressed air with no less than 256 pistons. Only the wheels and a few load
  • Wildlife risk to drivers survey being conducted
    June 29, 2016
    A researcher based in Canada is carrying out a research project in the form of a survey assessing the safety risk posed by wildlife to drivers. The risk posed by wildlife to those travelling in vehicles can be severe in some areas and evaluating data can be important for assessing risk levels and awareness of risk levels amongst road users. There is the potential for serious injury or even death in the event of crashes with large animals or at high speeds. Meanwhile a driver avoiding an animal in the roadwa
  • Roads for the future
    July 31, 2012
    Speakers at the 3rd European Road Congress looked at ways of preparing infrastructure to cater for future demands. Patrick Smith reports Road accidents in Europe can be reduced substantially, but vehicles will have to make more use of technology, and they will cost more. The problems will not be made any easier with the knowledge that road transport is set to double between 2040 and 2050. These were just some of the forecasts made at the 3rd European Road Congress, held in Brussels, Belgium, a key road sect