California Porsche Crash Video: Race Car Flies off Laguna Seca Track; Driver Manuel Gil Del Real Survives

A Porsche race car went airborne and crashed through a safety fence at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in California on Saturday, September 5, after an apparent brake failure near the track’s famous Corkscrew turn. Manuel Gil Del Real was driving the No. 270 Porsche when it failed to slow for the newly named Zanardi Corkscrew, crossed the barriers and disappeared into the bushland beyond the circuit.

Dramatic footage shows Del Real approaching the blind turn at speed before the car launches over the curb and tire barriers. The Porsche struck and tore through the catch fence before breaking apart as it rolled into the trees, NYP reported. Del Real survived the crash and was airlifted to a hospital in Salinas for evaluation and treatment. Porsche Motorsport North America confirmed that he was awake following the incident. Who is Loek Hartog? Dutchman Hailed for Heroic Rescue of Ollie Millroy After Crash in China GT.

California Porsche Crash Video

Driver Awake After Heavy Crash

Porsche Motorsport North America said in a statement: “Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West driver Manuel Gil Del Real is awake following an on-track incident during Saturday morning’s race at Laguna Seca.” The driver was transported by helicopter to a local hospital. Further details about the extent of his injuries were not immediately released in the latest reports.

No onlookers or staff were injured in the incident. The severity of the crash caused a significant disruption to the day's track activity. IndyCar practice was delayed while crews dealt with damage to the barriers and fencing. Amazon Cargo Plane Crash Videos: 5 Killed After Plane Crashes While Landing at Miami Airport.

What Happened At The Corkscrew

Del Real was competing in the Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West when the incident occurred during Saturday morning's race. He was approaching the Corkscrew at the end of the Rahal Straight when he appeared to lose his brakes. Motorsport.com reported that the car went straight off as it approached the turn and became airborne after hitting the tire barrier.

The car cleared part of the tire protection, struck the catch fence and then went into the trees beyond the track perimeter. The impact scattered debris across the hillside and left substantial damage to the protective fencing. Video from the scene showed smoke rising from the crash site after the Porsche disappeared from view. The apparent brake failure has been reported as a possible cause, but an official investigation would be needed to establish exactly what happened.

Laguna Seca's Newly Named Zanardi Corkscrew

The crash occurred only a day after Laguna Seca formally dedicated its iconic Corkscrew to the late Alex Zanardi.

The corner was renamed the Zanardi Corkscrew during a ceremony on Friday, marking 30 years since Zanardi's famous 1996 CART overtake at the circuit. The maneuver, commonly known as “The Pass,” came on the final lap against Bryan Herta and became one of the most celebrated moments in Laguna Seca's history.

The Corkscrew is particularly challenging because drivers crest a hill without being able to see the entire corner before braking for a steep downhill left-right sequence. INDYCAR drivers have described the section as extremely blind, adding to the difficulty of approaching it at racing speeds.

The Legacy Of Alex Zanardi

Zanardi was a successful Formula One driver before establishing himself as a major star in American open-wheel racing. His 1996 victory at Laguna Seca included the celebrated Corkscrew pass that later became known as “The Pass.”

He later returned to racing after a 2001 crash in Germany resulted in the amputation of both legs. Zanardi subsequently built a successful career as a para-cyclist and won Paralympic gold medals.

Laguna Seca's dedication of the Corkscrew came 30 years after his landmark overtake and shortly after his death in May 2026 at the age of 59.

The crash damaged the tire barrier and catch fence at one of the circuit's most recognizable sections and temporarily interrupted racing activity. There has been reporting that the track is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident and the safety of the area, but the available reports do not establish that the Corkscrew itself was responsible for the crash. The immediate focus remains on Del Real's condition and determining what caused the Porsche to fail to slow before entering the corner.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 09, 2026 07:38 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).