SALISBURY — Two race car drivers suffered injuries from a crash at Lime Rock Park Race Track in Salisbury Saturday morning, according to State Police.
The cars collided on the track just after 10:45 a.m., during a warm-up session for the afternoon’s races at the park.
Lime Rock Park Spokesperson Rick Roso said 21-year-old Andrew Palmer, in the #87 Bentley, struck the #4 Aston Martin, with Jorge De La Torre inside. De La Torre was waiting in the run-off area to re-enter the track, when the incident happened, according to Roso.
“Next thing you know they went off the runoff area there, one of them caught the edge of the wall over there and sort of went flying through the air,” spectator Tim Brown said. “No one was expecting it.”
Roso said both drivers were taken by ambulance to Sharon Hospital, then flown by Life Star to Hartford Hospital.
“Crashing happens in all kinds of racing,” Roso said. “Incidences where drivers are hurt are fortunately very rare.”
A spokesperson for Pirelli World Challenge said both drivers remain under treatment at Hartford Hospital.
In a statement, Bentley Motors, Inc. said Andrew Palmer sustained a head injury and is being closely monitored after treatment by specialists.
Bentley’s Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush, comments: “Everyone at Bentley Motorsport sends their best wishes to Andrew. We are a close-knit community and we have team members at the hospital with him and his family. We will continue to offer our support to them at this difficult time. Our thanks go to the trackside team at Lime Rock and the medical professionals who have helped Andrew so far.”
A state police sergeant and three troopers are investigating the crash. The track was shut down while police investigated, but reopened for races Saturday afternoon.
According to Lime Rock Park’s website, three races were scheduled for Saturday, starting at noon. They are hosting their annual Memorial Day Weekend season opener: The Pirelli World Challenge Lime Rock Grand Prix & Sunday Royals’ Garage Car Show Friday through Sunday.
