Allan Simonsen was a Danish racing driver who died in a tragic crash during the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most prestigious and challenging endurance races in the world. He was 34 years old and had a wife and a daughter. What was the cause of his death and how did it happen? Here is what we know.
The Crash
Simonsen was driving an Aston Martin Vantage GTE for the Aston Martin Racing team in the GTE Pro class. He had qualified second in his class and was one of the favorites to win. He had also competed in the race six times before, with his best result being 12th overall in 2010.
The crash occurred on the third lap of the race, around 15 minutes after the start. Simonsen was approaching the Tertre Rouge corner, a fast right-hand bend that leads to the Mulsanne Straight. The track was wet and slippery due to rain earlier in the day. Simonsen lost control of his car and spun off the track, hitting the steel safety barriers at high speed. The impact was so severe that it tore off the rear of the car and damaged the roll cage. Simonsen was immediately attended by the medical staff and extricated from the wreckage. He was then transferred to the circuit’s medical center by ambulance, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
The race was not stopped, but continued under yellow flags for almost an hour while the barriers were repaired. Simonsen’s team decided to keep racing in his honor, but none of their cars finished the race due to mechanical problems or accidents.
The Investigation
The cause of Simonsen’s death was not officially announced, but it was widely reported that he suffered severe head and chest injuries. The French authorities launched a legal investigation into the accident, as it is normal procedure for any road crash in France. The police and the attorney examined the scene of the crash, the car, and the telemetry data. They also interviewed the witnesses and the other drivers.
The investigation concluded that the accident was a racing incident, and that no blame could be attributed to anyone. The factors that contributed to the crash were the wet track conditions, the speed of the car, and the angle of the impact. The investigation also found that the safety standards of the car and the track were adequate, and that the medical response was prompt and professional.
The investigation also made some recommendations to improve the safety of the race, such as installing more energy-absorbing barriers, reducing the speed of the cars, and enhancing the communication between the race control and the drivers.
The Legacy
Simonsen’s death was the first fatality at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1997, when French driver Sébastien Enjolras died in a pre-qualifying crash. It was also the first fatality in the race itself since 1986, when Austrian driver Jo Gartner died in a similar crash on the Mulsanne Straight. Simonsen’s death shocked and saddened the motorsport community, and many tributes were paid to him by his fellow drivers, teams, fans, and media.
Simonsen was remembered as a talented, passionate, and friendly driver, who loved racing and had a bright future ahead of him. He had won several championships and races in his career, such as the Danish Formula Ford Championship in 1999 and the Australian GT Championship in 2007. He had also competed in various series and events around the world, such as the V8 Supercars, the American Le Mans Series, the Rolex Sports Car Series, and the FIA World Endurance Championship. He was especially renowned for his skills in GT racing, and had a close relationship with Aston Martin.
Simonsen’s family and friends set up a foundation in his name, called the Allan Simonsen Racing Foundation, to support young and aspiring racing drivers. The foundation also organizes an annual memorial race in Denmark, called the Allan Simonsen Memorial Race, to celebrate his life and legacy.
Allan Simonsen’s cause of death was a tragic and unfortunate result of the risks and challenges of motorsport. He died doing what he loved, and he left behind a lasting impression on the racing world. He will always be remembered as a great driver and a great person.
