Monday, September 25, 2006

Katherine Legge Walks Away From Spectacular Crash

Robin Osborne

Warriors in Pink car

Katherine Legge walked away from a spectacular crash at the Champ Car Grand Prix of Road America this past weekend. The #20 Bell Micro Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone Champ car, which sported a custom pink paint scheme and decals in support of the Komen Race for the Cure, is now in pieces being reviewed by Champ.

Legge, who qualified a season and career high eighth, got off to a good start picking up three places by the second lap. One as a result of the opening lap incident and another when Justin Wilson was moved back two spots for jumping the start. On the restart following the crash Katherine got boxed in and lost six places dropping her to 11th. Showing her trademark determination, Legge began the long climb back. Legge was running in seventh place just before the start of the third round of pit stops. She moved into second place by staying out longer then most of the cars ahead of her. Katherine finally pitted making a quick stop and reemerged in sixth place on lap 43. With eight laps left in the race Legge would become airborne when the upper element of the rear wing detached instantly removing all downforce from her car.

Warriors in Pink Race

Commenting on the incident after a 30 minute stay at the Champ medical center Katherine said “I am a bit shaken, but I’m okay. All my bits are intact, so that just goes to show how strong Champ cars are. It was a big impact, but hopefully everything will be fine for the next race at Surfers Paradise.” Legge went on to say, “I don’t think you are really aware of what is going on when you have a situation like I had. All of a sudden the car just sped up and hit the wall. Then I see the ground and there is dirt coming into the cockpit, and I see the fence, honestly you are thinking what is going to happen next. I think I saw parts breaking off all around me. And I think I saw the engine split away because the thing I was thinking about the most was that the car was going to catch fire, which it did. Then when the engine went away I thought okay that’s good. To be honest I think I had my eyes closed for lots of it, but it is a bit scary.”

Warriors in Pink Team

Bell Micro Racing will host its next Relationship Sales Event at the Petit Le Mans on Saturday, September 30th