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Second Audi R18 out of Le Mans as Rockenfeller involved in huge crash

Mike Rockenfeller crashes his Audi R18 TDI at Le Mans - Click above to watch video after the jump

Audi is down to one R18 TDI in the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans after Mike Rockenfeller was involved in the team's second horrific accident of the race, following the disastrous Allan McNish crash in the race's first hour. As Rockenfeller, driving the #1 car, overtook the #71 Ferrari on the Mulsanne straight, the two cars made contact, sending Rockenfeller into the barrier at full speed, obliterating the Audi in dramatic, terrifying fashion. The shunt was captured by an unmanned camera and Rockenfeller's on-board cam.

Rockenfeller got out of the car on his own power and is apparently okay. He's being checked out at the medical center as a precaution. The safety car is out for what will undoubtedly be another long cleanup. The remaining Audi, the #2 car, is still the race leader. 15 hours to go, people. Follow the jump to see the Rockenfeller crash. The second video is longer, and shows the reaction in the Audi garage.

UPDATE: Audi Sport boss Wolfgang Ullrich was just interviewed on EuroSport, and he again confirmed that Rockenfeller left the car on his own, adding that the driver was communicative with staff at the onsite medical center. Rockenfeller is now headed to the hospital for additional precautionary scans. This is basically the same course of events that Allan McNish went through following his crash earlier today.

UPDATE 2: Mike Rockenfeller is okay, but he's being kept at the hospital overnight for observation.



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