Blueberry Racing Mosler destroyed at Hockenheim

Blueberry Racing made the worse possible start to its 2011 Dutch Supercar Challenge campaign yesterday when the team’s Mosler MT900 was completely destroyed by fire during Thursday’s test session ahead of the opening round at Hockenheim this weekend.

The car, due to be shared by Nol Kohler and Berry van Elk this season, ran without problem during four installation laps at the German circuit before being called into the pits for a systems check.

However, after just two more laps, the car started smoking heavily at the Parabolika corner and Kohler immediately pulled off the circuit. Thankfully, Kohler was able to leave the cockpit before the car quickly caught fire.

“There was no warning and then suddenly there was smoke in the cockpit,” said Kohler. “I decided to pull off the track immediately and fortunately I was fast in getting out of the car.

“I stopped by a marshal’s post that had a fire extinguisher, but despite their best efforts, and the fact fire crews were on the scene within ten minutes, it was too late to save the Mosler.”

While the exact cause of the blaze is unknown, the mostly white smoke indicates an oil fire, probably caused by a leak. However team manager Dennie van Os was left shocked that a leak could have occurred so soon after the pit stop.

“We checked the floor of the car with a lamp (during the stop) to see if there was any liquid leaking, but there was nothing,” he explained. “That’s why we sent Nol back on track.”

Watch Dutch Supercar Challenge highlights from Hockenheim on Saturday 30 April at 1:25pm (BST) on Motors TV.


Andy Wilkinson

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