Crash at Donington could’ve been fatal – Happe survives

Right after Donington Park

This morning we got word from the hospital of St. Johns that Siegfried Happe was released with minor injuries sustained in the crash on Donington Park. As we followed the race, we had to witness not only Siegfried, but also Evadne Cleo having crashes, that could’ve been fatal.

Days after – It was my mistake, my focus was off

As Happe told the Dresdner Neuste Nachrichten after being brought back to Germany, it was purely his mistake and that Maserati and the car itself had no involvement in the crash of the car.

“My focus was just off that day. We had a stable race for the first 5 to 6 laps, when a lapse in judgement forced me to go wide. Luckily, the car survived the impact at the fence and it was a miracle, that the fence didn’t cave in hitting any viewers. While the car got going again, my focus on that particular section of the track was off again and from the point of me hitting the inside of the next right turn, my mind is blank. With the upmost respect I have to thank the personnel on track, that they got me to the nearest hospital immediately, reducing the chance of a critical injury. I also have to thank every driver for visiting me at the hospital, especially those, who had a finished race to celebrate. As for Jorge (Manuel Russo), he earned that title with every meter he drove in this season. I can safely say, that even in the Maserati or Bugatti, Jorge would’ve driven the same positions in those races.”

The next steps after the season | is Happe ready for racing?

As the choice of the allocation of cars is getting made by the AIACR, the question of Happes condition lingers. The german 40 year old said with confidence: “Motor racing will still have me, at least for next year. I’m ready to jump into the next car – whatever that might be”, which opens the question, if Happe will still race in the Maserati moving forward.

After the season ended, we were very invested in the future participation of Siegfried Happe, especially after his crash on Donington. It was an unfamiliar view seeing the Talbot 700 getting dropped off in Napoli, black in the front, silver in the back, with a red 71 and his name on it.

Happe pulled some strings and got the seat for the 1927 Talbot 700, which he could test out on Napoli this weekend and as we watched the grid of 20 cars run towards the first turn of this fairly narrow city track, Happe himself wasn’t sure, what to expect of this new opportunity, that comes with the car, as he told us in an interview beforehand:

“It’s good to be here for sure, but the car is very new and with cars, it’s a character thing: My character, my racing style has to adapt to the characteristics of the Talbot and we will have to see what comes of it”

Happe has an even worse day on Chrystal Palace

The Talbot 700 of Siegfried Happe could not make a difference in London, as the German wasn’t ready enough for the tough track. The strategy was made just before the race and Happe himself seemed confident after just a few laps. The fact that the car could make the chequered flag was a miracle, as Happe collided with the haybales more than once in the 2 hour race this Saturday.

Tripoli – Happe in the 6c-34 promisses better results on Saturday

After Chrystal Palace it’s time to travel to Italy yet again – Tripoli is the destination for our next Libre Race and all eyes are on Happe – his 6c-34 has yet to hit the asphalt, as Happe drove the Talbot in Napoli – For the 2nd italian track this season, he decided, that the Talbot wouldn’t cut it. The Maserati 6C-34 has 20 kilometers per hour advantage on the track, that consists of mostly straights.

“We will just run the car and hope for the best. This track is dangerous, too dangerous in my opinion, but the Maserati will do fine. We chose the Maserati over the Talbot 700 just because of the straight line speed – in terms of handling, it’s way worse than the Talbot.

If you look at the track, it doesn’t feature many harsh turns, so the handling will be a second thought for today.”

Dangerous track indeed – Tripoli ends in injuries

Out of 16 starting cars, 8 managed to finish on todays race without severe crashes. Luckily nobody got injured badly and most drivers could walk away with a few bruises. Siegfried Happe only encountered a scary situation in Lap 1, when a driver crashed and got swept back onto the road, hitting Happe in the process. “Only minor body damage” assured Happe after the race.

“We were right on strategy. One other driver drove the 6C-34 today and made it work on the light studs – we did many tests and all the data suggested, that the lights studs would get too hot in the process. So we were one of the only cars today to actually use the heavy studs. Even with the added time per lap, we still made it work until the end and got a very good position due to the very safe driving. I hope that every driver will be back on their feet for the next race and we will celebrate the finish of this libre race today.”

Siegfried Happe finishes 7th. For a libre race and especially after the horrendous previous races in the past, this seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for Siegfried Happe this year.

The next Gentlemen Race will be hosted in Brooklands and Siegfried Happe will drive the Talbot 700.