1986 IMSA GTP - Riverside crash

[@randyashley2101]

Just found this video today. I was on the Fire Truck (Cal Club) on this Crash. I remembered instantly the chaos and we all worked flawlessly on this, Emergency 1 /Tow 1/ Rescue 1, the 240SX. It's been so long I don't remember who all was there that day, but I do know that Hib Halverson, Fred Buge, and David Fredendall (Chief of Emegency driving Rescue One, with Chuck Likens (RIP) the Chief Paramedic) were on that wreck. WOW ! I was also on the Rolf Stommelen fatal crash in the entrance to turn 9, Can't find footage of that wreck. The late 70's and early 80's SCCA CAL CLUB did Riverside/Long Beach GP/Willow, and Del Mar GP with the SD Region,.Laguna Seca with the SF Region. What a great bunch of men and women that came together (and still do) to ensure the safety of Regional/National/ SCCA Pro Racing/IMSA/F-1 & F-5000/NASCAR/CART/SCORE (The Off Road Chamionships at RIR) their drivers and their crews as well. What an evolution all of these Racing Industries has gone through. And truly what a joy to have been a part of any of it.

[@OjaiRoy]

Randall, here are photos I took that day pbase.com/honda/imsa_gtp_1986

[@adrienmarchetti1303]

@@OjaiRoy I remember watching that crash on a crash compilation cassette in the early 90s as a kid, been looking for it for a while, crazy to find that video again as well as the pictures. Thank you.

[@Icosiol]

I was there with my Dad and I was 8yrs old. I didn't see the accident, but we did see the smoke from the opposite end of the track. This was such a great track, and I really miss these cars. Especially my beloved Group 44 Jaguar which sadly got destroyed in this wreck.

[@RussellAutosport]

I think the meaning of the word "terrific" has changed over the years. I believe it comes from the same root word as the word "terrifying". It definitely seems way inappropriate to say that it's a "terrific crash" now of course

[@BeanDip96_]

Its funny because the same thing has happened to the word awesome. It used to mean something that was awe inspiring or unbelievable, but now it is typically used to describe something that is amazing or extraordinary in a positive manner.

[@cakraft24]

i was a St James fan. talked with her a little over an hour before this wreck which happened right in front of where i was standing(pits). maybe you don't know what you're talking about. 31 international and national closed circuit speed records Raced twice ('89, '91)24 Hours of Le Mans The 24 Hours of Daytona.won GTO 87,91 9 times 12 Hours of Sebring race.won GTO 91 7 TransAm Top-5 finishes,6 GT wins and 17 Top-5 and 37 Top-10 finishes. Only woman to have ever won an IMSA GT race driving solo.

[@OjaiRoy]

@Flame Resistant Troll Danica is beautiful but she had a short temper and seemed not wanting to take tips from Pros who wanted to help her in auto racing.

[@camcoulter5993]

We were sitting in the bleachers for the esses that day and saw the cars come out of the turn, already involved. We were so sure someone had to have been killed. It was great to later learn everyone survived. Still, it was a terrific raceday. The 6 hour event was good every year. Miss it.

[@marblelegends-mastersofmar5033]

I never saw this before, Thank You!

[@musiclovindad]

A few comments... this crash was definitely caused by Doc Bundy who then blamed St.James. He was a spoiled, irresponsible jerk! I was at a 24 hr race at Mid Ohio when he took out a Porsche driver at the end of the back straight in the night. The driver was severely injured. When Bundy returned to his pit, he blamed the wreck on the other guy thinking no one witnessed the event! Several fans screamed their disapproval. Lynn was an OK driver... just not enough upper body strength.

[@WSBT960]

The irony here...Doc Bundy the previous year drove the Ford Probe GTP car and now he makes contact with it.

[@williamford9564]

2:04: This is my first time seeing this. Looking at the Jaguar flipping and hitting the dirt bank. It could have been possible for it to flip again and then roll into the crowd which looks like it was unprotected by any high guard rail or catch fencing. That would have been catastrophic.

[@todjef73]

Do you have this entire race? Any chance you will be uploading anytime soon?

[@OjaiRoy]

I HATE bundy!!! This was one of my favorite tracks and I took many photos there in the 80s. The esses were my favorite spot and the chain link fence had holes designed in it just for us photographers! For my photos of this crash go to pbase . com and search for imsa gtp 1986

[@raulv04]

I can only answer your third question, sorry. The crash happened on the kink just after the start/finish line, before the esses. The last curve you see before the crash is the last curve, which was banked.

[@OjaiRoy]

I always remember driving on the freeway and when the track came into view we all got real antsy and could not wait to jump out of the car. What a shame they tore it down just for another stupid mall and houses. UGGHHHH!!!! I don't remember the off ramp we took, does anyone recall the name and what off ramp is there now? I would like to know for when I drive by there.

[@cakraft24]

Day Street and the 60 freeway. There was a sign about Pigeon Pass Road in that area as well.

[@FormulaFox]

@prevenger Doc Bundy actually changed his tune after talking to the other drivers and took responsibility - he misread the situation and thought the Probe was having problems so he tried to make a move. Was still a poor call on his part, though. And the 'Vette GTP is a lot more beautiful than the Junkstain Probe. (disclaimer: I do like the Probe, just not as beautiful a car as the 'Vette GTP to me)

[@cakraft24]

Mustang Probe was a beauty and a tech work of art compared to the fugly ass vette. Just a few too many people wanting to go different directions with the powertrain. Kranefuss, Zakspeed and Roush could have made it work butttt were too busy fighting over silly things. Pretty obvious Bundy mistake to attempt a pass right there and the FORDs were clearly faster that whole week....... de-tuned even.

[@FormulaFox]

@@cakraft24 The Mustang Probe is one of the least pretty cars to come out of Group C/GTP. It was certainly more advanced than the Corvette's 5 year old base chassis, but it was frankly trying to do too much too soon in this regard.

[@OjaiRoy]

Miss St. James was in the flaming Mustang Probe.

[@muscless89]

She was a badass to say the least.

[@jcynavarro]

In my opinion.. motorsports in general will always be dangerous. No matter how safe the cars become, your still in a car going at a high rate of speed that can crash at any moment if by your own mistake or from an outside force like in this video. That being said, its amazing to see them walk away seeing as how there were crashes during that era of racing that were not as violent looking, that still ended the life of the driver.

[@OjaiRoy]

This was stupid bundy's fault because you don't pass in that area. Lyn had no problem with being passed. All the top GTPs looked good and timeless in my opinion and I sure enjoyed that era.

[@pellergin]

The car in the middle is to blame. Began to cut off the overtaking car, long before the front was next to its rear.

[@cakraft24]

@@pellergin NO..... middle car was following the groove/line and didn't expect anyone attempting a pass right there. Bundy was trying a bonsai move in the wrong place with a long way to go in the race. He had several accidents like this one over the years.

[@weallfollowmanutd]

​@@pellerginThe guy on the inside should've been a lot more circumspect. It's also an endurance race, so he should've calmed down and not lunge on the inside of two cars.

[@ImPapaJustifyGaming]

Is the reason they didnt race at this course the following year?

[@topski100]

first time I've heard commentary of this crash

[@tylerdurden4006]

She destroyed 2 walls...that could've turned out so tragic...

[@WSBT960]

Guessing fuel fire there for Lyn?

[@cendasfoniok9093]

Kdo byl v tom převráceném autě, Stomelen ?

[@MOliscous]

Yes it is.

[@nannaf666]

who was in the flaming car?

[@OjaiRoy]

Miss St. James was in the flaming Mustang Probe.

[@clutchcrgo]

I hear Bob Jenkins’s voice; who was the other commentator?

[@michaelroberts3004]

Can’t be 100% but it sounds a lot like Phil Parsons

[@wildgoobsid5]

Doc Bundy had no right to ever get in a race car. He was a disaster waiting to happen in every race.

[@nitroholic2002]

I lolled a few weeks ago iN drivers Ed when they showed this wreck in an old Tape on Seat belt safety

[@castrotroy6622]

Anybody got Rolf Stommelen?

[@DrSamwpepper]

Honestly gotta be the worst accident in IMSA's history.

[@yracpontiferous4846]

1995 at Road Atlanta, IMO. 1993 at Watkins Glen is a close second.

[@DrSamwpepper]

​@@yracpontiferous4846I'll give you road Atlanta,that one was just brutal.

[@MOliscous]

No, yellow only.

[@311superfly]

good ole doc bundy.

[@prevenger]

Doc bundy worst racing driver ever he blamed her and destroyed one of the most beautiful race cars ever the mustang probe.

[@MOliscous]

I'll agree with that. Never liked him.

[@SpeedwayGuy]

People thought is fatal