Jet-engined Mini crashes during demo

A Time Attack event at Snetterton was disrupted when a jet-powered Mini crashed at the final corner while travelling the wrong way round the circuit during a demonstration run (scroll down for video).

The Mini reportedly was heading in the wrong direction at low speed in order to turn around for its jet-powered run down the straight towards Riches corner. The driver, Andrew Pleszko, appeared to pick up speed and lose control of the car before smashing into the barrier head-on.

An MSV spokesman said Pleszko was taken to hospital for precautionary tests before being discharged later the same day.

"The Mini was only supposed to trundle the wrong way down the start finish straight in order to turn around for its jet powered run the other way; clearly something went wrong as between driver and car," the spokesman said. "The car therefore hit the barrier in a direction and from an angle at which it is not designed to be hit.

"Nevertheless, the barrier as the first line of defense did its job by taking the energy out of the car, preventing it from reaching the secondary fence line and public areas. Repair work was carried out and the event was able to continue following a short delay."

Originally on Autosport.com