Grand Prix cars swerve to avoid protester at 145mph

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 07/21/03 | Timothy Collings

[Pokey78]

A man ran on to the circuit during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone yesterday, forcing cars to swerve to avoid him at 145mph.

	The man confronts the cars on Hangar Straight

The incident on the 12th lap caused the race to be stopped temporarily as marshals chased the man on Hangar Straight, the fastest section of the circuit, after he scaled a high-security fence.

He was caught and charged with "aggravated trespass". Northamptonshire police said the 56-year-old man, originally from Co Kerry but now based in London, was performing a religious protest.

As he cavorted in front of oncoming racing cars, dressed in a green beret and a green and orange kilt, he waved signs that declared: "Read the Bible, the Bible is always right." The race organisers said a full investigation had been launched.

Mark Webber, who was driving in the race, said: "It really shocked me. The last thing you expect is some idiot doing this. For a moment I thought it was the end for me."

The incident came after Formula One's commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, and Max Mosley, the president of the sport's ruling body, said the circuit was in danger of being dropped from the motor-racing calendar.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

As he cavorted in front of oncoming racing cars, dressed in a green beret and a green and orange kilt, he waved signs that declared: "Read the Bible, the Bible is always right."

What a wonderful witness for the gospel.

[John Beresford Tipton]

"Grand Prix cars swerve to avoid protester at 145mph"


LOL, now that sounds like a swift protester.

Perhaps the author meant:
"Grand Prix cars swerve at 145 mph to avoid protester"

[Prodigal Son]

I wonder how high up in the air a guy in a kilt will fly when hit by a F1 car at 145 mph?

[vikingcelt]

County Kerry is my favorite place in Ireland. Most of the people there are quite sane. Not like this fellow at all.

[John Beresford Tipton]

He'll be "Knocking on Heaven's Door"

[JennysCool]

Crankcase vs. Nutcase

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Why swerve? They shoulda gunned it.

[sirchtruth]

Crankcase vs. Nutcase

ROTFLMAO!!

[PatrioticAmerican]

The chase car should be equipped with a cattle plow!

[decimon]

FReeper protesting the "libertarian" Formula One.

[jjbrouwer]

Was he a race protester...? /lame joke.

[RightWingNut]

Perhaps he's an AC/DC fan. In that case he'll se singing "Highway to Hell".

Or Sammy Hagar's "I Can't Drive 55".

[CholeraJoe]

"Let the wind blow high
Let the wind blow low
Through the streets in a kilt I go
All the lassies say 'Hello'
Donald, where your trousers?"

[jjbrouwer]

Formula One ping...

I hope they don't take Silverstone off the calendar. It's one of my favourite tracks (apart from Monaco), even if you do get the odd nutter playing "Frogger" in the middle of the race.

[CalvaryJohn]

I wonder how high a guy's kilt will fly if you just miss him at 145 MPH. Seriously, what a lame witness for Christ.

[MarkL]

While I really don't care if this numbskull wanted to meet his maker, what he did was unbelievably dangerous for the drivers! Hiting at 160-200 object at 145mph is a seriously dangerous thing for the drivers!

In 1996, Troy Corser, racing in World Superbike for Ducati, hit a seagull at over 100mph, and it destroyed his bike! And a seagull weighs what, no more than 10 pounds?

Mark

[Cachelot]

he waved signs that declared: "Read the Bible, the Bible is always right."

If he finds F1 racing in the Bible, he must have the Special Edition.

[Ole Okie]

I wonder how high up in the air a guy in a kilt will fly when hit by a F1 car at 145 mph?

Far enough that you'll be able to answer the timeless question, "What does an idiot wear under his kilts?"