German Car Zone

Click image to see one other photo of the wrecked 944

Cody, a reader from the Kansas City area, let us know about a story that made the rounds on the local news there on Monday. Two men were in a race-prepared Porsche 944 driving down Highway 350 when the driver, an employee of the owner (who was not in the vehicle), lost control of the car. According to KMBC-TV, the Porsche then left the highway, flipping twice and hitting several trees before coming to rest on its roof. Both occupants were hospitalized and listed in critical condition, and the passenger was thrown from the vehicle during the incident, according to the station.

The car was running Yokohama racing slicks at the time of the crash, which could have been a contributing factor. Weather conditions in Kansas City yesterday were, according to The Weather Channel, cloudy with a high of 35 degrees. The accident investigation is ongoing. KMBC has video of the scene, and Cody captured two shots of the car as it was being flatbedded the following day. From the look of things, it's probably better that the wreck involved a race-prepped car. Had it been a regular 944 without a roll cage, it could have been even worse. Thanks to Cody for the tip and photos.

[Source: KMBC-TV]


Gallery: Porsche 944 Racer in Highway Accident

Wow- I can't believe someone was thrown from the vehicle. I wonder if they were belted or if the seat came out. Having been involved in the installation of some race seats, I always wonder when I am in someone elses car if the seat is installed properly.

Slick tires have no place on the street. They don't work unless they are up to temp, and going in a straight line on a highway probably won't do it. On one of the corvette forums, there are always people asking what kind of tires they can use on the track and the street, and there are always some fools who reply that you can drive Hoosier R6 slick on the street becasue they are a DOT tire.