10 years ago, the disappearance of Allan Simonsen at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

The death of Allan Simonsen at the 24 2013 Hours of Le Mans has not been forgotten, as the 27th anniversary of this tragedy marks the 10th anniversary of this tragedy on June XNUMX.

Published on 22/06/2023 à 10:47

⁰ View comments)

10 years ago, the disappearance of Allan Simonsen at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Allan Simonsen was competing in his 7th 24 Hours of Le Mans when he lost his life in 2013. © DPPI

Of his accident, today there is no trace left on the racing circuit. 24 Hours of Le Mans. At the exit of the Tertre Rouge corner, a line of protective tires has been added since that cursed Saturday, June 22, 2013, the date on which Allan Simonsen collided sideways with the safety rail.

Then aged 34, the Dane was competing in his seventh 24 Hours of Le Mans, and teamed up with his compatriots Kristian Poulsen and Christoffer Nygaard aboard a Aston Martin Official Vantage GTE, decked out in colors Gulf.

Always in our hearts.#AllanSimonsen pic.twitter.com/py1CAmqVbD

— Aston Martin Racing (@AMR_Official) June 22, 2023

ALSO READ > What is the weather forecast for the 24 Hours of Le Mans?

Starting from 38th place, but leading GTE Am, Allan Simonsen only completed three laps. At the start of the fourth pass, the strips of paint still wet from a previous downpour caused him to slide towards the outside.

Two impacts against the rail occurred: the first, at 25 G, and above all a second side impact estimated at 75 G. Allan Simonsen did not survive, despite a rapid intervention by the emergency services and a visit to the medical center at the Le Mans circuit. As a tribute, the Danish flag will be waved on the podium the next day, and the winner Tom Kristensen will hardly hide his strong emotion.

Almost 10 years later, the death of Allan Simonsen constitutes the last disappearance during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The previous tragedy took place in 1997, when Sébastien Enjolras was killed during the Test Day. As for the race itself, it had not seen the death of a driver since the Austrian Joe Gartner, then at the wheel of a PorscheIn 1986.