Filed under: Motorsports, Mazda
Lucky Len Cave survives rolling Mazda3 race car 10 times
Click above to watch Len Cave's epic crash at the Bathurst 12-hour race.
We knew that the Aussies hoon it large, but Syndey's own Len Cave took it to a whole 'nother level. While racing his Mazda3 MPS (Mazdaspeed3 here in the U.S.) during the Bathurst 12-Hour race, Cave put a wheel wrong nine hours and 42 minutes into the event, slid sideways and then flipped over 10 times – many of which were in mid-air – before coming to rest on what's left of his wheels. Soon after the initial impact the entire engine, transmission and front suspension were ripped out of the car, bursting into flames as they hit the ground. Cave, who was reportedly traveling around 150 mph at the time of the crash, walked away with some minor scrapes and, we're sure, some serious bruising. You can check the video of the crash after the jump.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Will 4:53PM (2/13/2008)
It looks like it didn't hit the roof too hard, or barely at all.
Phew. I think I would have come out of the car the same way, shaking like crazy.
Glad to hear he's okay.
Do they run hans or similar devices in those things?
If so, he better be thanking it.
If not, get some.
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Torrent 4:54PM (2/13/2008)
whoa.
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Tom 4:55PM (2/13/2008)
So does this beat the world record of 7 flips from Casino Royale and the 6 from Top Gear? hah
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John Johnson 8:02AM (2/14/2008)
My first thought :P
Reid 4:58PM (2/13/2008)
I still think Joey Hand's wreck looked more violent..
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MemphisNET 4:58PM (2/13/2008)
""Holy crip he's a crapple""
Seriously, what a ride... he's very lucky. On tape, none of the physical impacts LOOK too jaring, but what the hell do I know - I've never rolled my car 10 times.
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mike 5:03PM (2/13/2008)
Impressive in that it threw off the front wheels.
Isn't it great these guys have Role Cages?
Too bad we can't get a single Role Bar in our cars.
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Andrew 6:30PM (2/13/2008)
Speak for yourself! You can stick one in there, you know. There's plenty of production cars with roll cages built in (some visible, some not).
Ryan 5:05PM (2/13/2008)
I only count 9 flips. Maybe it's just me though. Either way that's one hell of a ride.
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Farris 5:06PM (2/13/2008)
Um... I counted nine, and replayed the video on Youtube's site just to make sure, where the title is "Len Cave Rolls 9 Times."
Not like it makes a difference though... I would need new pants!
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Franz 5:19PM (2/13/2008)
I think I'd have shat my pants. lol
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I3ziko 5:23PM (2/13/2008)
Amazing how the hood didn't open but the engine is gone
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jaykay 5:41PM (2/13/2008)
I also only count 9 but man that's a huge endorsement for how well the safety systems in those cars are designed. Makes the 'fender bender' I was in last year seem sad in comparrison.
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BKadalur 6:00PM (2/13/2008)
i say he should get a world record for his efforts...
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David Brogden 6:03PM (2/13/2008)
Good thing he wasn't in a Chevy HHR.
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R 6:28PM (2/13/2008)
Came out from under. Damn, he looks super dizzy getting out lol.
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fbxcore 6:55PM (2/13/2008)
Well this makes me a little more reassured being a Mazda3 driver. Honestly for what the car is, it's a great piece of machinery, I could never understand why anybody would buy the very closely priced corolla over a 3. 3 Has more style, more motor, a great interior and some pretty kickass brakes for the class of car. I'm very happy with it for what it is.
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Gamblor 6:57PM (2/13/2008)
Wow amazing he can stand after such a twisty ride. I counted that he flipped over 9 times.
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TBlueMax 7:15PM (2/13/2008)
Motor mounts are designed to drop an engine down and slide it beneath the car in the event of a severe front impact - as opposed to the other 2 options: 1) through the firewall into the passenger compartment; or 2) up through the hood, through the windshield, and into the passenger compartment.
Not surprised the engine came out the bottom, but I'm shocked the driver was able to stand up afterward.
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DimmO 7:53PM (2/13/2008)
The Driver was on the tv news a few days later - no broken bones, just some bruises iirc.
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