Tag Archives: serious

Motorsport

See Wheel From Classic Jaguar Come Off, Take Scary Bounce Into Goodwood Crowd

Update: Goodwood officials confirm no serious injuries resulting from this wayward wheel. The exact number of people affected hasn’t been revealed, but officials say they are back and “enjoying the event.”

During the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, a classic Mk1 Jaguar experienced a frightening incident. After exiting the second turn early in the run, the car lost its left rear wheel. The wheel then bounced unexpectedly and flew into the crowd. Unconfirmed reports suggest that two people were struck.

According to witnesses at the event, the wheel hit an older man who was able to give a statement to officials before being taken away in an ambulance. Goodwood officials have not yet confirmed the number of people affected or the severity of any injuries. The racing action was paused for approximately 40 minutes due to the incident. It then resumed with the McLaren Artura leading a procession of supercars up the hill.

The Jaguar involved in the incident is a Mk1 Jaguar driven by Grant Williams, a seasoned Goodwood veteran and exhibition expert. It’s unclear what caused the wheel to detach; the run began with a burnout at the starting line to warm up the tires. Williams navigated the first turn with a controlled drift and slightly wobbled in the second turn, which is a common occurrence on the hill. In the video, the left rear wheel is seen wobbling before it comes off. The wheel then passes the car and bounces off the ground, landing on top of the hay bales. It bounces again, clears the fence, and lands in the crowd.

This isn’t the only notable incident that occurred on the first day of the Goodwood event. The Hyundai RN22e electric concept crashed heavily when the driver missed the infamous tight left-hander midway through the course. Although the occupants of the unique concept car were unharmed, it plowed straight through several rows of hay before coming to a stop. Visible damage suggests that the car suffered significant impact.

The 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed will continue until July 16. You can watch the action, which has been quite eventful so far, through the livestream available on Motor1.com.

Motorsport

FCA Urges 2003 Dodge Ram Owners Not to Drive Due to Airbag-Related Fatality

The Takata airbag recall has been an ongoing issue for years, and it continues to pose serious risks. The first recalls were issued ten years ago, and the 2003 Dodge Ram was added to the list in 2015. Unfortunately, another fatality related to the airbags has recently been reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As a result, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has issued a warning, advising owners of 2003 Ram trucks who have not had the airbag recall performed to refrain from driving their vehicles.

The main concern lies with the passenger-side airbags in the 2003 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 models. These airbag inflators are at risk of rupturing upon deployment, sending dangerous shrapnel into the passenger compartment. The recall included 385,686 vehicles, and as of July 2023, it is estimated that up to 84,000 trucks could still have the original passenger airbags installed.

NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson emphasizes the increased danger of older defective Takata airbag inflators and urges owners to have their airbags replaced immediately, both for their own safety and the safety of their loved ones.

This recent incident involving a 2003 Dodge Ram marks the first reported fatality from this model. In total, there have been 26 deaths in the United States caused by ruptured Takata inflators. Globally, the number is at least 35, leading several automakers to issue do-not-drive warnings for vehicles at risk. BMW, for example, issued warnings in May 2023 for 90,000 vehicles, including the 2000-2006 3 Series, 2000-2004 X5, and 2000-2003 5 Series. Additionally, Honda and Acura models from 2001-2003 received a warning in February 2003, and FCA issued warnings for 276,000 Dodges and Chryslers from 2005-2010.

The Takata airbag recall, which began in 2013, is the largest recall of its kind in automotive history. Over 42 million vehicles in the US alone are affected. The consequences, including fines and compensation totaling over $1 billion, led to Takata’s bankruptcy in 2018.

Owners of FCA vehicles can check for open recalls on the automaker’s website, while NHTSA provides a comprehensive list of affected automakers and vehicles subject to Takata airbag recalls.

News

On Board With Pol Tarres At Erzbergrodeo 2023

Pol Tarres is back in action, but this time it’s not about stunts or showcasing his skills. He’s fully focused on the dirt, armed with his camera and his trusty T7 motorcycle.

Tarres has made a name for himself by riding dirt on one of the best adventure bikes on the market, the Yamaha Tenere 700. He joins the rest of the grid at Erzbergrodeo, where everyone is riding enduro bikes that are lighter and more agile. Despite the competition, Tarres managed to get the holeshot and remained unfazed in the early sections of the race, even against the lighter bikes.

As the race progressed to the rockier sections of Erzbergrodeo, Tarres faced some challenges. A tip-over caused him to lose the lead temporarily, but he quickly caught up in the faster sections of the course. However, the real challenge for Tarres and his T7 awaited beyond the gravel and rocks.

When the terrain became thicker with greenery and the trail muddier, all riders started to struggle. Climbing up a single track hill proved to be difficult for many competitors with their lightweight enduro machines. Tarres, on the other hand, seemed largely unaffected in comparison. It’s incredible to witness how calm and composed Tarres was during the run and how well he managed his machine.

The climb was brutal, with rocks, shrubs, and mud posing a constant challenge for the racers. There were moments in the hour-long video where I couldn’t help but hold my breath. Yet, Tarres managed to put on a show and tackle the obstacles with his adventure bike.

Unfortunately, the video ended before Tarres’ run concluded. He finished 131st out of 500 riders at the 16th checkpoint, “One Way Train.” This achievement is remarkable considering Tarres was riding his T7 and competing against a field of lightweight enduro bikes. It’s worth noting that this is not Tarres’ first rodeo (pun intended) – he made history by finishing 77th in 2022 at Erzbergrodeo.

News

Meta scales back its COVID-19 misinformation policy

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Meta, along with other major platforms, took steps to combat the spread of dangerous misinformation and disinformation. This move was prompted by the tech industry’s role in shaping public opinion on various societal issues, such as elections and child welfare. The goal was to protect users and limit the negative health effects and deaths caused by COVID-19.

As misinformation about COVID-19, including false claims about vaccines and the origins of the virus, became more prevalent, Meta joined forces with platforms like Twitter and YouTube to establish official guidelines on content that could be shared. However, as global COVID-19 cases and deaths declined, Twitter stopped enforcing its policy. Now, with national governments and the World Health Organization adopting a more relaxed approach to the pandemic, Meta and other platforms are following suit.

Although COVID-19 cases are lower compared to two years ago, there are still thousands of Americans testing positive for the disease daily, particularly among the elderly, despite widespread vaccination. With the possibility of future outbreaks, Meta and other platforms may revise their policies once again. In the meantime, Meta’s misinformation policy will remain intact in areas where COVID-19 is still considered a public health emergency.