Indian F3 racer cheats death

London-based Ameya unscathed after horror crash.

London-based Indian driver Ameya Vaidyanathan miraculously escaped unhurt after his car was wrecked following a terrifying crash at a British Formula Three race at Oulton Park in England over the weekend.

The Indian, who drives for Carlin Motorsport, lined up sixth on the grid for the first race of the weekend and lost four places at the start, running 10th behind Sisa Ngebulana — who had gained five places — when the incident occurred.

Chasing the South African for ninth on Lap 7, Vaidyanathan made contact with the HHC Motorsport car while heading towards Cascades.

The car was launched high into the air before it rolled along the ground multiple times. The race, which was being led by Vaidyanathan’s teammate Ricky Collard, was immediately red-flagged.

According to reports from the series organisers, Vaidyanathan was alert and conscious after the dramatic crash — which completely wrecked the vehicle — and was taken to the medical centre for a precautionary test. He was released shortly thereafter.

Upon his return from the medical centre, Vaidyanathan commented on the incident: “Ngebulana had a poor exit out of the first corner and we were side-by-side heading into the flat kink heading into Cascades,” he was quoted as saying in news reports. “Our wheels touched and after that my view was quite disturbing. I felt quite a few big hits but I have no idea what direction they were in or where they came from.”

“Once the accident finished, I was in shock but once that initial traumatic period had subsided, it was all ok.” Meanwhile, Ngebulana was excluded from the race results and handed four penalty points.