Sun Valley ‘no speed limit’ car event cut short after major crash

Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman

KETCHUM (Idaho Statesman) — Two group were injured successful a high-speed kindness arena successful Sun Valley complete nan weekend.

The seventh yearly Sun Valley Tour de Force arena came to an abrupt halt Saturday greeting aft a participating conveyance crashed.

The weekend’s signature arena involves rule enforcement shutting down a 3.2-mile agelong of Idaho Highway 75 adjacent Phantom Hill successful nan Sawtooth National Recreation Area for 1 day. Participants salary astir $3,500 to thrust their vehicles arsenic accelerated arsenic they’d for illustration without worrying astir nan velocity limit successful time-trial runs. The money raised done nan arena is donated to The Hunger Coalition and different section nonprofits successful nan Wood River Valley, according to nan event’s website.

“Drivers are allowed to put their machines to nan eventual test,” nan website states. “To date, nan fastest velocity connected grounds is simply a Bugatti Chiron achieving 253.01 mph.”

A man driving a achromatic Porsche pinch a rider collapsed adjacent nan decorativeness line, witnesses told nan Idaho Mountain Express. Witnesses posting connected societal media said nan driver was going betwixt 190 and 200 miles per hour.

A family personnel of nan driver posted connected societal media Sunday saying some group progressive were “alive, but severely injured.”

“We are successful connection pinch nan injured participants and are sending loving thoughts and prayers to their family and friends,” nan Sun Valley Tour de Force statement said connected Facebook. “We are each hopeful for a afloat recovery.”

The Tour de Force play — which includes scenic drives, a car show, drama events and fundraisers — was group to tally from Thursday to Saturday afternoon. Saturday’s remaining play events were canceled pursuing nan crash.

Several witnesses astatine nan arena posted videos of nan clang connected societal media. In them, nan car tin beryllium seen flipping complete respective times.

“Yesterday was a difficult time for each progressive successful Sun Valley Tour de Force,” nan statement said connected Facebook. “We would for illustration to convey everyone who has been truthful adjuvant and considerate during nan past 27 hours. Your outpouring of support to nan family injured, nan offers of donations, and truthful overmuch more, is simply a testament to nan spot and resilience of our Sun Valley Tour de Force family.”

The Tour de Force organizers declined to comment, saying nan Blaine County Sheriff’s Office wanted to beryllium nan ones to grip information.

The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office did not respond to nan Idaho Statesman’s petition for comment.