24 Hours of LeMons Altamont: Max Mosley Penalty

Jonny Lieberman
by Jonny Lieberman

There are numerous reasons why the running of the 24 Hours of LeMons represents the world's best motor racing. Driver skill, huge purses and fancy machinery blistering around the track using the latest in high tech whizbangs aren't amongst them. Even so, LeMons isn't just a bunch of junk heaps running around a track bashing into each other. It's a bunch of junk heaps running around a track bashing into each other with an officiating crew. Should you get out of line (by, say, smashing through the tire chicanes), you get a warning. Should you choose to ignore said warning, they whip out a paint ball gun and shoot your car (this happened to the Black Metal V8olvo). The paint ball is, in effect, a black flag. The driver must leave the track and sit in the penalty box for 30 minutes. But LeMons ain't hockey (it's more violent)– you don't just sit there. No, you get to spin the Wheel of Punishment so the Ides of Fate can choose appropriate castigation. Like this poor sap from the Axles of Evil Audi 4000 Quattro. He got the Max Mosley penalty. And no, it's not having to watch F1 on the Speed Channel for half an hour. Enjoy!

Jonny Lieberman
Jonny Lieberman

Cleanup driver for Team Black Metal V8olvo.

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 4 comments
  • Cyclopticgaze Cyclopticgaze on May 17, 2008

    Das ist gut.

  • Mike Solowiow Mike Solowiow on May 17, 2008

    no! Not the Audi 4000 quattro!

  • Ppellico Ppellico on May 17, 2008

    I used to follow this as a boy. One race, and perhaps you can remind me which one, tore my littler boy heart out. As I remember, the Ford GTs were running 1,2,3 and 4. Then, suddenly the leader and my former hero Mario Andrettii, crashed and took them all out. This is a hundred years ago so my memory is poor, but does anybody remember this specific event?

  • PandaBear PandaBear on May 18, 2008

    If you consider this the ultimate punishment... >> A tragedy occurred at the 24 Hours of LeMons last Saturday at Altamont Motorsports Park. Court Summerfield, a driver, died. A California Highway Patrol investigation was undertaken at the track. The CHP informed us that there was no mechanical failure or unsafe track conditions and that no other cars were involved. The CHP also informed us that, based on physical evidence and witness statements, it appears that the driver was not conscious prior to impact. We are awaiting the final reports. Our deepest sympathies go out to Court's wife and family. We have established a memorial fund in his honor, with Court's wife receiving all proceeds. The 24 Hours of LeMons has contributed $5000, and Altamont Motorsports Park has committed $5000. Other participants have made contributions of varying amounts.

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