WALKING MIRACLE
CRASH RACER’S GREAT ESCAPE
A RACING driver walked away without a scratch after his car launched into the air at more than 100mph before crash-landing into a tire wall. Kenneth McKell had a miraculous escape when the front brakes of his Mitsubishi Evo failed as he was competing at Knockhill in Fife. His crash was captured by photographer Leyton Cleverley, who said: “This was easily the worst one I have seen in years.” The pictures show dozens of parts flying from the car BY TOMMY LUMBY reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk in all directions as it barrelrolls along the tarmac.
Moments later, McKell walks away from the wrecked vehicle, with hardly a mark showing on his racing suit and helmet.
Leyton, 44, from Leven, Fife, was only feet away when McKell got into trouble along the finishing straight.
He said: “I saw the car clear the top of the marshall’s hut. That’s when I started to take photos.
“There was a very loud bang. Fortunately it didn’t clear the fence because, if it had, it would have landed on me.
“It was easily two-and-a-half metres in the air.
“The second the car stopped moving, the driver was starting to get out of the car.
“I think I was probably more shocked than he was. People were diving for cover.”
Leyton, who has attended hundreds of races, described McKell’s lucky escape as “exceptional”.
The crash happened during the Scottish Saloon and Sports Car Championship on Sunday.