‘It was a bomb waiting to go off’
BRAVE DAD RUSHES TO RESCUE SPORTS CAR FROM FLAMES IN RACETRACK DRAMA
A DAD who rushed into a racetrack inferno to save a £40,000 sports car has kept his son’s motor racing dreams alive.
Brave Pete Orton, 55, bolted towards the flames after a fire broke out at a track in Norfolk where Will, 16, was preparing for a race.
The incident, at the Snetterton circuit in Norwich on August 7, sparked pandemonium as thick smoke billowed from a lorry parked next to Will’s beloved Ginetta G40 racing car.
Mr Orton watched on in horror with wife Liz, 50, before he realised that 100 litres of race fuel and compressed air were right next to the flames.
“It was a bomb waiting to go off,” said kayak manufacturer Mr Orton, of Flintham.
“Rightly or wrongly, we pulled the fuel cans out and shifted the compressed air.
“I could hear my wife Liz shout at me to come away, but I carried on.”
A trackside fire truck then arrived and quelled the flames – just enough for Pete to push Will’s car to safety.
Three fire trucks later arrived and extinguished the blaze within 15 minutes. Pete’s brave actions meant that son Will, who competes in the Senior British Ginetta GT5 championship, can keep working towards his racing driver dream.
Will, who is studying for a motorsport diploma from September, said: “My dad was really brave to get my car out. Who knows how bad it would have been if he hadn’t have done what he did.”
Sadly, Will’s family lost £8,000 worth of racing gear in the fire, including Will’s race suit and essential car spares. Will’s driving coach Bobby Thompson has set up a fundraising page to replace Will’s race suit and rebuild the team.
It can be found at https://gofund. me/73f48d89