Claim from a track day

[Elliott_3R]

This is unbelievable.

A good friend of mine, Owen Calloway, was on a track day at Snetterton on the 14th Feb 2010. Whilst on track, during the #MSV #trackday going in to turn 1 he spotted an incident ahead, someone had spun. Concerned that the other driver was going to rejoin the track in front of him Owen lifted, causing his car to spin.

Unfortunately, this caused his car (a Honda Civic) to also spin (easy mistake) and collide with the already spun Caterham. Both cars suffered damage. Understanding it was a trackday and trackday rules, Owen accepted the damage to his own car and apologised to the other driver thinking although unfortunate, that would be the end of it.

Today Bury St. Edmund's County Court ruled him to pay £21k in damages and costs to the other driver.

ON A TRACKDAY? How can this even happen?

Thoughts?

[Elliott_3R]

The waiver only protects the organiser, not the participants. It was ruled that he was negligent by hitting the spun car.

They have all the circuit CCTV footage, but the court said it was irrelevant.

[Elliott_3R]

As soon as there is more information available, I'll post it.

From what I understand the Caterham driver was track day insured and they paid him out. They have then come after Owen for the costs.

[Elliott_3R]

Chaucer Insurance

[Elliott_3R]

Never lift!

[Elliott_3R]

Another interesting point is that it was an MSV Novice Only event.

I'll try and get as much information together as possible, so everyone can see the facts.

Owen needs help in this as it's likely to bankrupt him.

Any advice is appreciated.

[Elliott_3R]

Jez - from my perspective it is unbelievable. Having done hundreds of track days I didn't even consider this could happen. And secondly, although meant in a light hearted way, lift off oversteer was the cause of Owen's spin. An easy mistake to make considering the circumstances.

[Elliott_3R]

I've been on a track day at Silverstone with Nick Mason's 250 GTO on circuit... imagine hitting that!

Unfortunately, due to financial circumstances, Owen decided to represent himself, which perhaps was a mistake.