Larry & Sandi Miller wrote:
>
> Gonzalo Rodriguez from Uruguay, a 27 year old CART rookie driving for team
> Penske, died today during practice when he hit the wall head on at turn 8 at
> the end of the back straight at Laguna Seca. I did not see the crash as I
> was working at turn 4 at the time. Talking to some of the drivers later that
> saw the crash they speculated that his throttle may have stuck. He locked up
> his front brakes but went straight off the track into the wall at and then
> somersaulted the wall. The Indy cars are doing about 170mph at the end of
> the back straight and slow to about 90mph for turn 8 so he was going pretty
> fast at the time.
>
> Sad day for CART and the fans.
Saw a replay on ESPN this morning... Looked awful, definitely some sort
of equipment failure. He simply went straight through the turn, the car
never even hinted at turning, hit the barrier head-on, launched over it,
and landed upside down on the hillside. Here're a couple articles from
Usenet:
From: motorsport.com <press@motorsport.com>
Subject: CART: Gonzalo Rodriguez Dies in Crash at Laguna Seca
Date: 11 Sep 1999 18:41:22 -0400
Organization: motorsport.com, inc.
Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport.info
Followup-To: rec.autos.sport.indy
Monterey, Calif. (September 11, 1999) - Gonzalo Rodriguez, 27, of
Montevideo,
Uruguay, lost his life in a tragic accident at Laguna Seca Raceway this
morning after his car slammed into a concrete barrier at the entrance to
the
corkscrew. Rodriguez, driving the Team Penske Lola-Mercedes, nosed
headfirst
into the concrete barrier which was protected by a tire wall. Upon
impact,
the car catapulted over the wall, vaulting over banners placed atop the
barrier.
Rodriguez was removed from the car and transported to Community Hospital
of
the Monterey Peninsula where he was pronounced dead at 10:10 a.m., PDT,
by
Dr. Robert Keaney, who was accompanied by CART Director of Medical
Affairs
Dr. Steve Olvey.
According to Dr. Olvey, Rodriguez sustained massive head and neck
injuries,
killing him instantly upon impact with the concrete wall.
Rodriguez was a rising star in the Formula 3000 series, currently
residing in
second place in the season point standings. Under contract to Team
Astromega
in the Formula 3000 series this year, the Team Penske test driver
competed in
one prior CART race, the Detroit Grand Prix in June. He qualified 16th
on the
Belle Isle circuit and finished 12th, scoring his first career PPG Cup
point.
Rodriguez made his Formula 3000 debut in 1997 with Redman and Bright
Racing.
He moved to Team Astromega last year and earned two victories at
Spa-Francorchamps and Nurburgring.
In his most recent Formula 3000 race, at Spa on August 31, he finished
second. His last victory came in May at Monaco.
Team Penske has withdrawn both cars from this event in respect to
Rodriguez
and his family.
------------------------------------------------------------
From: motorsport.com <press@motorsport.com>
Subject: CART: Laguna Seca Gonzalo Rodriquez
Date: 11 Sep 1999 20:26:19 -0400
Organization: motorsport.com, inc.
Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport.info
Followup-To: rec.autos.sport.indy
MONTEREY, Calif. (September 11, 1999) - Gonzalo Rodriguez, a 27-year-old
rookie driver from Montevideo, Uruguay, died Saturday as a result of
injuries sustained in a crash during practice for Sunday's CART Champ
Car
race at Laguna Seca Raceway.
Rodriguez, practicing in his second Champ Car event for Team Penske,
went
off course in the Turn 8 corkscrew section during Saturday morning's
practice session and made contact with the retaining wall. CART Safety
Team officials removed Rodriguez from the car and he was transported by
ambulance to Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.
Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 10:10 a.m. PDT by Dr. Robert Keaney,
who
was accompanied by CART Director of Medical Affairs, Dr. Steve Olvey.
According to Dr. Olvey, Rodriguez sustained massive head and neck
injuries
in the incident.
In respect to Rodriguez and his family, Team Penske has withdrawn both
entries from this weekend's event. The final CART qualifying session
began
as scheduled at 12:45 p.m. PDT Saturday, but the track and pit lane
remained empty in deference to the tragedy. Sunday's starting grid will
be
based on iday's provisional qualifying results.
"Out of respect for Gonzalo Rodriguez and his family, the drivers
unanimously agreed to suspend qualifying for Saturday and accept the
times
posted on Friday," the Championship Drivers Association said in a
released
statement. "Our deepest sympathy is extended to Gonzalo's family."
A moment of silence will be observed and the Uruguayan flag will be
displayed for Rodriguez during Sunday's driver introductions. Scott
Pruett, president of the CDA, will speak on behalf of the drivers at
that
time.
"This is a very sad day for Champ Car racing," CART President and Chief
Executive Officer Andrew Craig said. "Gonzalo was a talented young race
car driver who had the potential for a great racing career. No words can
alleviate the sadness of his family and friends, but we send them our
deepest sympathy at this tragic time."
Rodriguez made his first career Champ Car start as a member of Team
Penske
at Detroit in early August. He qualified 16th and finished 12th for his
first career championship point. He also was competing in Formula 3000
this season and was second in the championship for Team Astromega. His
career highlights included being a three-time Uruguayan Formula Renault
champion (1988-90), Formula 3 rookie of the year (1991) and owning three
career victories in F3000, the most recent coming May 15 in Monaco.
-CART-
------------------------------------------------------------
--
Rick Snover, San Diego, CA
http://rsnover.home.netcom.com/
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