The first hour of today's Le Mans 24 Hour race was marred by a huge accident for Audi's Scottish driver Allan McNish.
McNish had enjoyed a superb start from fifth on the grid to be running second shortly before the hour mark when he clipped the number 58 GTE Pro Ferrari of Anthony Beltoise while attempting to lap the back marker as the cars headed down towards the Esses, crashing violently into the barriers.
The Audi R18 suffered a high impact and slewed over the Armco railing throwing debris over trackside marshals and photographers.
McNish was extracted safely from his stricken car but there was no immediate word on whether any spectators had been hurt.
The accident forced the safety car onto the track and left last year's winner Timo Bernhard up front in the lead Audi ahead of its remaining sister car and the three Peugeots.
Audi suffered its second unbelievable accident just hours after Allan McNish's race-ending crash, with driver Mike Rockenfeller reportedly climbing from the destroyed R18 under his own power.
Rockenfeller, part of the defending race-winning No. 1 Audi R18 driving team, was attempting to pass the No 71 AF Corse Ferrari F458 driven by Michael Waltrip Racing's Rob Kaufmann at 10:40 p.m. when the two cars made contact at the ultra-fast Kink section of the Mulsanne Straight.
Prvoto video za 2 dena ima nad 1.5 milion views.
Ironicno, vo 2 ta slucai zamesana e prespora Ferrari 458 Italia.
(0:58 & 5:38)
