A frightening accident, fortunately without consequences for the drivers involved, occurred in Leeds, Alabama in the United States, during a USF Juniors championship race: Ava Dobson was unable to avoid a head-on collision with another car which it was stopped in the wrong direction on the track, the impact was extremely violent.
Terrifying images coming from Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama in the United States. A frightening accident, fortunately without consequences for the pilots involved. Rounds 4 and 5 of the USF Juniors championship, the series introduced in 2022 for younger drivers as the first step of the Road to Indy, which is the development program that provides a scholarship-funded path to the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. During the first race of the two scheduled for the weekend, Ava Dobson was unable to avoid a head-on collision with another car that was stopped in the opposite direction on the track: the impact was extremely violent.
It happened that Bruno Ribeiro he lost control of his car at high speed on an uphill stretch of track and spun. The young Brazilian driver was unable to prevent his car from crossing the track backwards and remaining in a very dangerous position, in the path of the other oncoming single-seaters. While several cars immediately behind, having seen what had happened, managed to avoid the oncoming car, ‘Jay Howard Development’ team driver Ava Dobson, who had not witnessed the accident, was unable to prepare herself before the curve to avoid hitting Ribeiro.
Despite braking desperately at the last moment, Dobson was left helpless as her car crashed nose-to-nose into Ribeiro’s. The Halo, or the driver’s head protection system, was crucial in preventing his left front wheel from returning to the cockpit. Footage available after the crash showed that marshals on the right side of the track had begun waving yellow flags to warn oncoming danger, but they were not clearly visible.
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Fortunately there were no injuries and ‘DEForce Racing’, Ribeiro’s team, paid tribute to the steps taken at all levels to improve the safety of motorsports. “We are still working through this… – they wrote – It’s easy to forget the risks inherent in our sport, amidst the adrenaline and excitement. Today we feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the tireless work done to make race cars safer. Safety is paramount and we are grateful for every innovation that helps keep our riders safe“. For its part, the other team involved, ‘Jay Howard Driver Development’, communicated: “Ava Dobson is fine after her crash in race one today“. And the pilot herself reassured everyone with a post on her Instagram profile.
