mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Aston Martin Driver Allan Simonsen Dies In Accident At 24 Hours Of Le Mans (With Video)

During the first ten minutes of the 81st 24 Hours of Le Mans today, the No. 95 Aston Martin Vantage GTE driven by Danish driver Allan Simonsen exited the track at high speed at the Tertre Rouge corner and collided with the race barrier, seriously injuring the 34-year-old driver. In serious condition, Simonsen was attended to by doctors and immediately transferred to the track’s medical center, where he died.

The incident took place on Simonsen’s fourth lap of the race. It was his seventh time participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

What caused Simonsen to go off the track is unclear at this point, but initial reports state that Simonsen was conscious upon being extracted from the vehicle. An onboard camera in the two cars following Simonsen at the time of the crash, the No. 74 and 73 Corvette C6.Rs, captured the incident. The footage doesn’t appear to show any contact from another vehicle.

Allan Simonsen

Allan Simonsen. Photo courtesy of the 24 Hour of Le Mans.

The video below shows the beginning of a crash that eventually claims the life of a driver.

It has been 16 years since the last fatality at Le Mans. The one preceding that of Simonsen today was that of Sébastien Enjolras, who was killed in practice for the 1997 race in his Peugeot.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans has issued an official statement:

The driver was immediately attended on the scene by the doctors from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s Medical Service.

In a serious condition, Allan Simonsen was transferred immediately to the Circuit Medical Centre where he died soon after due to his injuries.

Allan Simonsen’s family has been informed immediately by David Richards, Principal of the Aston Martin Racing team.

Allan Simonsen, an experienced driver aged 34, had taken part in seven 24 Heures du Mans.

His team mates in the No.95 car were his fellow countrymen, Christoffer Nygaard and Kristian Poulsen.

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest wishes to express its great sadness following this incident, and extends its deepest condolences to the family and those close to Allan Simonsen.

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest will make no further statement while the exact reasons for the accident are still being wholly determined.

Aston Martin has replaced the contents of its website with the following statement:

Le Mans, 22 June 2013: It is with great shock and sadness that the Aston Martin Racing Team confirms that an accident occurred shortly after the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at around 15:09 hrs CET today (22 June) when the No 95 Vantage GTE driven by Allan Simonsen left the track at Tertre Rouge.

Tragically, and despite the best efforts of the emergency services in attendance, Allan’s injuries proved fatal.

Aston Martin Racing Managing Director, John Gaw, said: “On behalf of all of us at Aston Martin Racing, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the individuals, and families whose friends or loved ones were involved in today’s terrible tragedy.”

Aston Martin Racing will not make any further comment until the precise circumstances of the accident have been determined. Next of kin have been informed.

Following the ACO’s media statement concerning the tragic death of Aston Martin Racing driver Allan Simonsen, and at the specific request of his family, the team will continue to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in tribute to Allan.

Our condolences go out to Mr. Simonsen’s family and friends.

We’ll update this page as we learn more.

The GM Authority staff is comprised of columnists, interns, and other reporters who provide coverage of the latest General Motors news.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. Sad! I wanted the Vettes to beat Aston but not this way.

    Look like he hook the berm and over corrected. The car held up but I wonder if he had any side bracing for his head. He may have had the same thing leffler had happen last week. Hans devises will not help much in a side impact.

    Reply
  2. very sad day in racing, even though racing has got a lot safer these years, our hearts go out to the family , and sadly racing has to go on.

    Reply
  3. I am very deeply saddened by this and I do not take death lightly having seen my own share of death. My deepest respects and condolences to his loved ones family and friends.
    To be claimed by God during the pursuit of that which you love the most, is the way I would choose to meet my maker if given such a choice. May your afterlife be a perfect day on your favorite track in your most loved car, the lights just turned green and off you go!

    Reply
  4. After reviewing the in-car footage, it looks as though the Ferrari (?) three cars ahead of Simonsen lost its engine right at the corner exit. Look for the exhaust fire and blue smoke immediately after. The two cars following it seemed to avoid anything as one was passing the other around the outside into the runoff. Not sure if Alan straddling the rumble strip was a mistake on his part that added to the situation or if the oil/wet condition there at exit made him go over it. With his experience and expertise, I doubt the former reason, but nonetheless a horrible combination of circumstances will no doubt be found by the investigation: Wet surface, hot oil on that surface, high speed corner exit where the power is being laid down by right foot as much as possible, early race adrenalin pumping, manner in which Allan’s AM hit the barrier, etc. leads to a sad day at Circuit de la Sarthe. My condolences to his team, friends, and family.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel