Chief Toyota test driver killed in LFA wreck
06-23-10, 06:17 PM
#31
Lexus Champion
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Very sad news. My condolences to those affected, particularly the family of Naruse-san and also the other, so far unnamed passenger, and also best wishes for a recovery to the other 2 in the E90.
It goes with the territory however that racing and test driving is a dangerous business. The LF-A prototypes had collisions in the 2008 24h race, an engine fire at 2009's 24h race, and at 2010's 24h race also another crash. Not to mention, one of the 2010 VLN qualifying events the LFA participated in was cancelled partway through due to a fatal Aston Martin crash. There was also a fatality in a test track crash involving the LS 400 decades ago. The F1 race driver who helped with the NSX's development was killed in a race accident several years later. It is a dangerous business, even with the safety precautions taken.
It will hopefully be illuminating to see what the investigation finds.
It goes with the territory however that racing and test driving is a dangerous business. The LF-A prototypes had collisions in the 2008 24h race, an engine fire at 2009's 24h race, and at 2010's 24h race also another crash. Not to mention, one of the 2010 VLN qualifying events the LFA participated in was cancelled partway through due to a fatal Aston Martin crash. There was also a fatality in a test track crash involving the LS 400 decades ago. The F1 race driver who helped with the NSX's development was killed in a race accident several years later. It is a dangerous business, even with the safety precautions taken.
It will hopefully be illuminating to see what the investigation finds.
06-23-10, 06:38 PM
#32
Lexus Test Driver
R.I.P
I hope Lexus releases more info.
Because this is pretty bad news... First car to get wrecked and the driver dies. First there was an engine fire with one of the prototypes and now this.
I hope Lexus releases more info.
Because this is pretty bad news... First car to get wrecked and the driver dies. First there was an engine fire with one of the prototypes and now this.
06-23-10, 07:03 PM
#33
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
06-23-10, 07:32 PM
#34
Lexus Test Driver
If you really think airbags save lives, you've drunk some pretty good Kool-Aid. This isn't the thread to discuss it though. Airbags or not, we'd be seeing the same result.
From the video it showed inside the cabin... honestly the knee airbags don't seem that comfortable.
06-23-10, 07:45 PM
#35
Lexus Fanatic
Though I didn't mention it in my last post, I was thinking the same thing. There are, of course, many racing drivers still with good reflexes at that age (witness Carroll Shelby, Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Phil Hll, etc....), but, in general, driving ability decreases as you get into your senior years. And, on top of that, many Japanese people don't live on a traditional diet of fish/rice/vegetables any more, increasing the rate of heart disease as they adopt Western-style diets.
06-23-10, 07:50 PM
#36
Lexus Fanatic
WOW...thats really sad , but I have to say I am amazed he was killed. That car should have protected him better than that. I wonder if there was an issue with the vehicle because its a prototype??? That road is narrow and curved so I cant imagine he was ripping it around the corner. Its sad and I hope the BMW drivers will pull through
06-23-10, 09:37 PM
#39
Seems to be different reports. This one says two test drivers in the LFA were killed.
http://wot.motortrend.com/6691329/au...any/index.html
I am also dismayed at how the LFA held up, just compare A-pillars.
http://wot.motortrend.com/6691329/au...any/index.html
I am also dismayed at how the LFA held up, just compare A-pillars.
06-23-10, 10:13 PM
#40
Lexus Champion
the LFA is lower, and it was probably traveling at a greater speed. There's no reason to assume the 3 series is stronger of a car than an LFA. This is sad, sad, news. Naruse-San was a master in his profession. At least his legend, the LFA will live on.
06-23-10, 10:25 PM
#41
Lexus Connoisseur
I have contacted Lexus HQ this morning (it was nighttime in Japan at the moment) as soon as news broke through Autoblog. They are gathering more info from Japan before they can release an official statement. Once it has been released, it will be posted up here and on our front page.
Last edited by flipside909; 06-23-10 at 10:29 PM.
06-23-10, 10:38 PM
#44
Lexus Champion
It's just extremely sad. I got online earlier to this news on autoblog, I was hoping for some video of the LFA from the ring since they had photos. Then I see this?? I just said to myself, no, no freaking way. HOW? I follow Gazoo racing and Naruse is the Nur-Meister. To think that he could be involved in an accident, he knows the ins and outs of that track and the roads around it, to me, there HAS to be more to it. Driver error from Naruse? That's next to impossible. Especially on the roads OUTSIDE the Nurb'. I'm thinking something might have affected him, health reasons maybe. A stroke? Something! I donno man, but not Naruse-san. Poor Naruse-san, and whoever else involved. I heard there was a passenger, perhaps collecting data. One of the saddest days for Toyota. I'm still bummed from the news.
