Richard Hammond Crashes Once more, This Time Driving A Racecar In Poland
Richard Hammond, ex-High Gear presenter and nonetheless a part of automotive’s most well-known trio on The Grand Tour, has to have 9 lives. It’s the one method to clarify the presenter’s luck in strolling away from wrecks alive and comparatively unharmed. Although, he has come shut to just about killing himself twice earlier than, even touchdown up in a coma for 2 weeks after a 288mph crash in a jet-powered dragster.
Then again, it does appear dangerous luck follows him round. Evidently Hammond has crashed once more, while filming a brand new particular episode of The Grand Tour in Poland — this time in a single-seat racecar on a racetrack in Poznań.
Now, it’s not unusual for auto journalists and motoring presenters to wreck every so often. It’s simply one of many hazards of the work place, particularly when their job is to inform us what a automobile appears like on the restrict. However given how well-known the High Gear trio are, and the truth that celeb crashes get blown out of proportion, Hammond’s handful of crashes do seem lots worse than they had been. To not point out, his crashes have often been in unique equipment.
Right here’s extra particulars on Richard Hammond’s newest wreck, what he was driving, and what The Grand Tour are as much as in Poland.
Richard Hammond Crashed His First Racecar, However He’s Okay
A fan web site, GrandTourNation, has come throughout a social media submit by a person in Poland displaying Hammond alongside a wrecked racecar, with James Could by his aspect, and a observe marshal. We haven’t heard a lot else from Hammond, Could or Jeremy Clarkson, formally or on their social media however it does seem like Hammond’s not been injured. See, 9 lives.
The trio had been at Tor Poznań, Poland’s longest highway race circuit at 2.5 miles lengthy, that includes 14 corners. It’s the one circuit in Poland with worldwide certification, having earned an FIA Grade 3 mark. The circuit’s been likened to the Brno racetrack within the Czech Republic, for its quick flowing corners. Although, at this level we’re unsure which nook on the observe Hammond went off at.
The automobile he was driving is considerably extra attention-grabbing. It seems to be what’s referred to as a ‘Formulation Easter’. Apparently, the background for the automobile stems from Formulation 1 not being common within the communist bloc of nations, for apparent causes, which led to individuals constructing their very own Formulation-style open-wheeled racecars within the 70s to save lots of prices! Nonetheless, F1 drivers like Robert Kubica, Jackie Stewart and Michael Schumacher have all raced Tor Poznań since.
What The Hell Is A Formulation Easter?
Formulation Easter vehicles use customized chassis, with rudimentary suspension from minivans and normal automobile engines from vehicles just like the Dacia 1300, Polski Fiat 125, or Skoda 105. Then they had been all hacked collectively from no matter fans might get their palms on. Technically, the vehicles had been constructed to FIA Formulation Class 9 spec, although the FIA doesn’t official sanction their existence. Regardless of that, the principles initially restricted engine capability to 1.3-liters, which meant engines from Ladas had been pulled out and put into motion. The rule e book additionally restricted modifications to the engine and carburetor, which means the unique engine’s 70 hp or so might solely be taken as much as round 90 hp. Although, by some accounts some engines had been extra extremely tuned. All the way in which as much as 120 hp. However contemplating the vehicles are fairly fundamental, they might weigh round 1,300lbs, which implies that’s nonetheless loads of energy to get in hassle.
Contemplating these racecars are rear-engined and rear-wheel drive, there’s lots of weight hanging over the rear finish, with subsequent to no weight up entrance which might make spinning one very simple. Additionally, contemplating these Formulation Easter vehicles had been designed and developed within the 70s with no outdoors assist, it’s laborious to say how a lot engineering really went into them. It’s protected to say they weren’t excellent, as a result of quickly after the autumn of communism, most Formulation Easter drivers moved to the Formulation Ford collection of racing.
What Will The Subsequent The Grand Tour Particular Be?
Hammond, Could and Clarkson are in Poland filming a brand new The Grand Tour particular, themed round World Conflict II and ugly vehicles, seemingly. The trio have been noticed driving a Chevrolet SSR, Crosley convertible and Mitsuoka Le-Seyde primarily based on a Nissan Silvia S13. This episode will possible air after the episode that TGT filmed in Norway and the Arctic Circle earlier this 12 months, that includes vehicles just like the Audi RS4, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 and Subaru Impreza WRX.
