Very Scary Rolex 24 wreck sends two drivers to Daytona hospital

[bigbadbrother]

Two drivers that were involved in a horrific accident in the opening hours of the Rolex 24 at Daytona are awake and alert, following a statement released by IMSA.

Memo Gidley and Matteo Malucelli have both been admitted to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. following a heavy impact that destroyed both cars late in the third hour.

Malucelli’s No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 458 Italia reported a loss of drive and slowed coming out of the first horseshoe. He was hit in the rear by the No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Corvette DP of Gidley, who was going in excess of 120 mph.

The impact sent the Italian’s Ferrari into the air, with extensive front-end damage sustained by the Riley-chassied DP. Gidley was extricated from the car by the local safety team, which cut off the roof of the car.

The race was red-flagged for more than 1 hour as a result, and resumed just past the four hour mark.

IMSA has yet to release further information on the extent of the drivers’ injuries, if any. Stay tuned for the latest developments.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu4D-qJsz4U

[bigbadbrother]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Memo Gidley has a broken back that will require surgery after a terrifying accident in the early stages of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Gidley's GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing team says the driver will remain at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach until doctors repair an "unstable fracture" in his back.

Gidley had surgery on his left arm and leg late Saturday.

Matteo Malucelli also was involved in the two-car crash Saturday afternoon near the three-hour mark of the prestigious endurance race.

Gidley was driving the pole-winning car. He had to be cut out of the No. 99 Corvette, which crumpled like an accordion when he plowed into the back of Malucelli's Ferrari.