Magpye105 Posted March 28, 2005 Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 Derek Hales, the official importer of Oval Legends suffered yet another bad start to the season today with an almighty crash that knocked him unconcious and badly bruised.....worse still his brand new car that cost in the region of £17,000 was loaded into the trailer as scrap parts having completed about 12 laps!!! The incident happened in his first race at Hednesford today, when he clipped the armco coming down the pit straight, but nothing new there for a man who has been racing nearly 40 years, however he was on the outside trying to work his way through the pack when a car, who I believe was his Son Ian moved wide going into turn 1 to try and outbrake a car, Derek had already committed himself to that line due to the unbalanced car after hitting the armco.......what happened then stunned the large staffordshire crowd as the car launched off the rear wheel of the involved car and sent Derek Hales into the armco at about 60-70mph roof first, which then caused the car to complete its roll and land on 4 wheels. The impact knocked Derek out for a couple of minutes. The medics attended in numbers and the remainder of the fibreglass roof was removed, at one stage a blanket was held over the fence to stop onlookers as they treated the driver, a chilling sight when it is someone you have known for years and raced against many a time. After about 10 mins Hales was removed from the car and walked to the ambulance. Luckily the safety of the pocket rocket legends was proved yet again as his only injuries are a very sore head, badly bruised arm and a big hole in his wallet. The chassis is a write off, with all the weld points stressed and some hefty dents in the roll cage. A banana shaped rear axle which looked to have bent the propshaft as it tried to find a way into the cockpit of the car. All the suspension was bent, exhaust smashed, the fuel cell has broken from its mounting point and even severed a fuel line, which was lucky not to ignite. About the only thing that looked to escaped from damage was the engine. I would be surprised to see this car rebuilt, as it is almost cheaper to buy a new car. Derek had contemplated running his 2004 car, as the sale of it had fallen through a few days ago. He has already stated he will be back on April 23rd at Birmingham Wheels and it will be in the old car. I like to wish him a quick and speedy recovery from one of the worst crashes I've seen in a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpye105 Posted April 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 If there is anyone interested in seeing more pictures of this car, there is a good selection on the offical Oval Legends website CLICK HERE for direct link to the gallery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyH 148 Posted April 2, 2005 Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 1st time I have seen this thread. Car doesn't look that bad to be honest seen people walk away from a hell of a lot worse. Glad he was ok though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squid Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 i was at hednesford when it happened. very scary indeed to see something like that. credit where credit is due to the marshalls and paramedics who did a great job in getting him out and making sure he was ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corny 391 Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Really glad he's not hurt. £17,000 for one of them though? No thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Trash Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 £17,000 for one of them though? No thanks... 12606[/snapback] You said it...I thought it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamieg285 Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 £17K is for a top of the range, brand new everything. 2nd hand ones have gone for less than 7K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoR137 Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 £17,000 for one of them though? No thanks... 12606[/snapback] Can by a neat F1 stock car for that lol...... i know which id rather have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacman Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 ore a brand new formula 2.......... And indeed on the pictures the damage looks not so bad but ive seen drivers who where getting too the hospital whit a chopper but the car whas almost ready 4 the next heat, so that says not everything. cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMid Posted April 11, 2005 Report Share Posted April 11, 2005 I doubt there's much in the way of deformable structure going in roof first- it's the massive deceleration g-force that's the danger in an accident like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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