VIDEO: Allan McNish's Massive Le Mans Accident

Le Mans / ALMS

VIDEO: Allan McNish’s Massive Le Mans Accident

Check out the video and a photo gallery of Allan McNish's massive opening hour accident at the 24 Hours of Le Mans...

John Dagys | Posted June 11, 2011 Le Mans, (FRA)

Le Mans Watch Presented by Corvette Racing - 24 Hours of Le Mans - June 11-12, 2011

Allan McNish escaped serious injury following a massive accident in the opening hour of the 79th Le Mans 24 Hours. The Scot clipped the No. 58 Luxury Racing Ferrari F458 Italia while exiting the Dunlop Curve, sending his Audi barreling into the armco barriers and ending the ride upside down.

Later in the day, McNish said the following:

“Immediately I realized after the start that the car balance was very good. The guys had done a superb job from the incident on Thursday night to bring it into perfect shape. I was up into fourth quite early on, in fact after the first corner, and was quicker than the Peugeot ahead of me but it took quite a long time through the stint to get in a position to overtake as they were pretty fast on the straight.

"However we were much quicker in the cornering. I got a run and overtook him around the outside down into the first chicane and then I had the pit-stop and caught up on the second place sister car of Benoit Treluyer and overtook him down into Porsche. Timo Bernhard was in the lead just ahead and he slid wide coming out of the Dunlop chicane so I kept to the inside as he came back on and overtook him. At the same time, I went down the inside of a GT class Ferrari which was just ahead. As I got past the first thing I knew was I was spinning towards the wall on the left hand side and so immediately realised that he’d tagged the left rear of my car with the right front of his. After that I was just along for the ride.

"It was a very big accident – I think everybody realizes that. I climbed out of the car by myself then taken to the Medical Center for a check-up and then had a scan at a local hospital but was given the all-clear. I have to say a huge thank you to the Audi designers because they have produced a car that could survive an enormous impact allowing the driver to open the door and get out unharmed.

"It’s a big disappointment for the entire team. For Tom and Dindo because the car we were given by our mechanics and engineers was really, really good. I think it was the car to have and that means we all have a flat feeling.”

The team also reported McNish felt sick after returning from the hospital, and has been resting since the episode.

Check out the video of the shunt, along with an exclusive set of photos from the incicent.

PHOTOS: McNish's Massive Le Mans Accident

John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at

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John Dagys

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