Goodwood Festival issue statement as tyre flies off classic Jaguar and hits fans
The organisers of the Goodwood Festival of Speed has confirmed there were no serious injuries after a tyre flew off a classic MK1 Jaguar and hit two spectators.
The event is an annual motorsports festival which sees modern and classic cars compete in a hill climb event. The 1.5mile track includes nine corners, with fans packing in along the track to watch the event, held in the grounds of Goodwood House in Sussex.
But the event was marred by a horror incident on Thursday as an MK1 Jaguar driven by Grant Williams took to the track. The back left wheel of the car came off, bouncing several times before hitting the top of the barriers and crashing into the crowd.
The car continued on, with smoke being seen as the back left rim scratched along across the asphalt. A 40 minute delay followed, with commentators confirming that two people had been hit by the tyre.
Thankfully, organisers of the festival later confirmed that no serious injuries occurred. They also revealed that the people involved had been able to go back to enjoying the festival after receiving attention.
Mick Schumacher will drive dad Michael's car in rare chance to impress Mercedes
A statement posted on Twitter read: "Following the incident on the hillclimb we’re pleased to confirm that there were no serious injuries and those involved were able to go back to enjoying the event."
The world-famous festival will run for the rest of the weekend, with Moto GP riders also set to take to the track in a celebration of the championship. But the highlight for many will be seeing Mick Schumacher get behind the wheel of his father Michael's W02 Mercedes F1 car.
The MK1 Jaguar lost its back left wheel, which hit two spectatorsThe 24-year-old will also wear his father's helmet and overalls as he drives the car that helped to complete Michael's journey in the sport. Just a year after he retired, the F1 legend suffered a horror skiing accident from which he is still recovering.
The former Ferrari star drove the car during the 2011 world championship, before retiring a year later. While he did not win a race for the Silver Arrows, his time with the team was key in their rise to dominating the sport from 2014.
To make the drives even more special, Mick will be wearing the very same Mercedes overalls and the iconic red helmet that Schumacher senior wore. And the 24-year-old is delighted to be able to pay tribute to his father.
"It's going to be spectacular to run in my dad's 2011 car, the W02, even if it is only a short run,” he said. "Just experiencing this generation of cars will be mega. Knowing that he raced this car makes it extra special.
"There will be many emotions coming with it. I have been lucky enough to drive one of his Benetton cars and some of the Ferraris he raced, but this will be the first time behind the wheel of a Mercedes he drove. I am sure I will get out of it with a big smile on my face."
The car still runs with the naturally-aspirated V8 engine it used in the world championship, prior to the introduction of hybrid engines in F1, so the run is set to sound just as spectacular as it will look.
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