Posted on 09/07/2026 2:32:01 AM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701
Ollie Millroy’s (GBR) FIST Team AAI Ferrari was struck by Chen Weian’s (CHN) Harmony Racing Ferrari after clashing with the BC by 610 Racing BMW of Neil Verhagen (Connecticut) on the back straight.
Chen and Verhagen went sliding through the grass before the two Ferraris collided at the hairpin, causing Millroy’s car to burst into flames.
Having seen the incident unfold in front of him, Loek Hartog (NED) stopped his Phantom Global Racing Porsche at the scene of the crash and pulled Millroy from the inferno.
Hartog tried to extinguish the car. The race was red-flagged and ultimately abandoned.
“I am still alive tonight, entirely thanks to one man,” Millroy wrote on social media.
“Loek Hartog stopped instantly with no flag marshalls or fire crews in sight, and risked his own life to get me out of the car.
“I don’t remember anything between 30 seconds before the crash and one hour after it, but I will remember his incredible act of bravery for the rest of my life.
“One day I will tell our three kids this story and Loek will be the biggest superhero in history in their eyes too.
“Thank you Loek. I owe you my life for your selfless act today.”
Millroy suffered five broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken hand, a broken finger, and a bruised lung.
The British driver said he would be spending a few days in the hospital bed and is set to undergo surgery.
“I’m counting my lucky starts tonight, that’s for sure,” said Millroy.
“I have a couple of operations tomorrow to put everything back where it should be, then a few weeks resting here before I can fly.”
Hartog said he had no doubts about stopping his car and approaching the scene of the accident.
“When I saw a car turning into a huge fireball far ahead, there wasn’t really a decision to make,” said Hartog.
“From what I had seen, I genuinely believed the driver might not be able to get out by himself. I stopped, got out and went towards the car. There was never a moment of doubt.
“And reflecting on it afterwards, I’m mostly grateful for the people I’ve had around me throughout my life and career who have taught me to recognise when something is bigger than racing and to live in the present. This is what living in the present is like.
“It was scary. There were moments where I didn’t know I would actually be able to get Ollie out.
“But this isn’t about what I did, and I’m sure many people in the same position would have reacted exactly the same way.
“I’m just thankful that I happened to be in that place at that moment.
“It also gives you an enormous appreciation for the safety standards we sometimes take for granted.
“When you see an accident that violent and a fire that large, you realise exactly why all of it matters.
“Most importantly: Ollie is okay. Today could have ended very differently. I’m incredibly grateful that it didn’t.”
The accident has drawn a stern response from China GT competitors, with two teams abandoning the championship.
FIST Team AAI said it would withdraw from all future China GT events until a meeting is held with organisers of what it claims was a slow response to the crash.
“We fully understand that motorsport carries risks,” wrote team owner Betty Chen.
“However, the measures taken by the organizers following today’s incident, particularly the lack of an immediate and adequate emergency response, are something we cannot accept.
“The safety of drivers and team members must always come before anything else.
“What happened today and the way the situation was handled is truly unacceptable.
“Given the way today’s incident was handled by the organizers, the team and I have made the decision to withdraw from the championship and will not participate in any future China GT events.
“Thank you to everyone who stepped forward to help today, and I wish Ollie a speedy recovery.”
TBC by 610Racing has also announced its exit. Yang Baijie, the teammate to Verhagen, alleged trackside marshalls left Hartog to extinguish the Ferrari.
Baijie also claimed it took 15 minutes for an ambulance to arrive at the scene because the driver was asleep.
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AAI Motorsport is from New Taipei City.
Chinese motorsport authorities need to be ashamed.
Wow!
Mr Hartog is a hero. Beautiful words spoken about the situation.
Many racers in the US said Shanghai International Circuit did a poor job. They see NASCAR, INDYCAR, IMSA, and NHRA, and say what they did in China was wrong.
Marshals are secondary to the full-time safety team with a 600 lb fire extinguisher in the truck.
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