During a Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West race Saturday morning at Laguna Seca, driver Manuel Gil del Real appeared to lose his brakes in the No. 270 Porsche entering the newly renamed Zanardi Corkscrew of the Rahal Straight and plowed into the fence while airborne.
The driver was airlifted to a local hospital, and Porsche Motorsport North America announced via a press statement at the track that he is awake and being treated following the crash.
“Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West driver Manuel Gil Del Real is awake following an on-track incident during Saturday morning’s race at Laguna Seca. He has been transported to a Salinas hospital and is being evaluated and treated. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”
The massive impact caused major damage to the barrier, delaying IndyCar’s second practice session, which was ultimately cut to just 25 minutes due to time lost while workers repaired the tire barrier and catch fence.
The corner where Gil del Real crashed is frequently used by photographers, but fortunately no one was near the track at the time. Per Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Laguna Seca confirmed that no one other than the driver was injured.
