Blow-out blows Group C racer's Daytona hopes

Terrible luck struck the ex-Reinhold Joest Porsche 962C of Aaron Hsu at last month’s Historic Sportscar Racing Thundersports Enduro series opener at Daytona International Speedway.

Leading by more than a lap, the Porsche suffered suspected tyre failure just three three minutes from the chequered flag, resulting in Hsu crashing out of the race.

Another 1989 car, the Spice-Cosworth of Joe Hish and Mazda veteran Walt Bohren thus swept past the stranded machine to record an unexpected victory in front of the Rolex 24 Hours crowd. The similar machine of Jim Mullen finished second, and the luckless Hsu was classified third. “I was just a passenger throughout the crash, but fortunately the car kept all four wheels on the ground,” said Hsu.

“We were faster than Aaron all day through the infield, but couldn’t catch him on the straightaways,” said winner Hish. “On the last lap we were told over the radio to watch out ahead because Hsu had problems.” The race ended under caution flags, which led to close scrutiny of the rulebooks before the result was declared. MP