We’re only halfway through the 2016 calendar year, yet already there have been some spectacular motor racing wrecks across the globe that have taken our breath away.
And what’s even more incredible, all of the racers involved in the following incidents have lived to race another day.
10. Hatchback rollover
Anyone can go to the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany and turn a lap on the Green Hell in any car they’d like. However, there are some cars that are less recommended than others, such as hatchbacks. The driver of this Honda Civic Type R learned that the hard way.
9. Spectator near-miss
The worst place to stand during a rally race is on the outside of an exit of a turn. These fans almost learned that the hard way back in January at the Jari-Pekka rally Heinola.
8. Josef Newgarden’s Texas crash
Josef Newgarden was lucky to survive a crash during the Firestone 600 at Texas Motor Speedway after going into a wall head-first. Though he did suffer injuries, he was back on track just two weeks later, and got a win just one month later at Iowa Speedway.
7. Christopher Bell’s Daytona flip
The 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series started off with a bang as Christopher Bell went barrel-rolling on the final lap of February’s race at Daytona. Although the incident was dramatic, Bell never missed a race and, in fact, picked up a win at Gateway just four months later.
6. Fernando Alonso’s Australia flip
Likewise in Formula One, the season got off to a dramatic start when Fernando Alonso went on a wild ride after colliding into the back of Esteban Gutierrez on Lap 18 of the Australian GP. Alonso was back behind the wheel just two rounds later.
Fernando Alonso (right) collides into the back of Esteban Gutierrez (left).
Fernando Alonso's car turns over as it hits the gravel trap and is thrown through the air before coming to a rest upside-down. Alonso was able to climb out.
(From left) The cars of Esteban Gutierrez and Fernando Alonso seen after their wreck.
5. Sprint car clears fence
25-year-old Austin Williams cleared a 22-foot fence in a crash during qualifying at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, California, in June. The USAC/CRA Sprint Car driver was the only driver on track and so the session could be immediately red-flagged, but Williams was able to walk away unaided.
4. Flip at Oulton Park
Back in May, Ameya Vaidyanathan stunned everyone after walking away from an incredible crash at Oulton Park in Cheshire, England. The incident took place during a British Formula 3 race after Vaidyanathan had attempted a pass on Sisa Ngebulana, resulting in contact. Ngebulana was excluded from the race results. An onboard view of the incident is also available.
3. Fireball
No injuries were reported after a four-rider incident at the Motorland Aragon in Spain back in May. The incident took place on the opening lap of the FIM CEV Repsol International Championship Moto 2 class, in which Xavi Cardelus lost control and his fuel tank was hit by another motorcycle.
IMPRESIONANTE accidente en el Fim CEV Repsol de Moto2. Esperamos noticias positivas sobre el estado de los pilotos pic.twitter.com/44QLLeaQYL
— Fran Calatayud #GR19 (@FranCalatayud19) May 29, 2016
2. Sidnei Frigo's NHRA crash
Sidnei Frigo was lucky to be diagnosed with nothing more than a broken left arm following a scary crash Friday at the Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas. The incident took place during the second qualifying round for the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series back in April.
ICYMI: Sidnei Frigo was conscious after this incredible wreck during @NHRA Pro Mod qualifying Friday night https://t.co/EN63HL1WRk
— SPEED (@SPEED) April 30, 2016
1. Red Bull Ring gives you wings
Two drivers were taken to hospital following a crash during an FIA Formula 3 European Championship race at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, back in May. Peter Li Zhi Chong - who goes airborne in the video - was diagnosed with broken bones in his heel and four fractured vertebrae, while Ryan Tveter - whose car was hit - was taken to the hospital by ambulance for examination.
