Peter James: Novelist and Film Producer: Peter's Smash At Oulton Park

Peter's blog

Monday, June 22, 2009
Peter's Smash At Oulton Park

Had a high speed smash in the second lap of my race at Oulton Park in Cheshire, yesterday. It was definitely one of those "oh sh*****t" moments, particularly in the seconds after impact when I found myself careening along on my side, before the car righted itself.

The chain of events leading to the accident was a spillage of petrol or oil on the track, causing several cars to spin or slide off, as we all entered one of the fastest corners on the circuit, at about 85mph. Before you see me, I had slid off onto the wet grass, was holding the car steady and about to get back onto the track, still travelling at very high speed, when a car spun right across my path. I swerved to avoid hitting it, went sideways, and then struck a car that had spun in the middle of the track. Watch the white car come off, then the blue car spin, then wait for the yellow car - that's me folks!

This is the film clip, taken by chance by a spectator, now up on YouTube.

You may also enjoy the selection of before and after photos below, including the one of blue car 93 which I struck.

Happily, and miraculously, no one was injured, although I am somewhat bruised and sore today.

One veteran driver came up to me afterwards and said that now I had had a major shunt, I could call myself a proper racing driver!

Then a wag came up to me, looking at the 'DEAD TOMORROW' posters plastered on each side of the car and said, "I think you should change the title of your book, mate, to "ALMOST DEAD TOMORROW".

Peter James Car Smash

PJ and car before the race

Peter James Car Smash

The Rescue Team

Peter James Car Smash

Ambulance arrives on the scene

Peter James Car Smash

The Aftermath

Peter James Car Smash

Number 93, Which I Crashed Into

posted by Peter James at 2:19 AM 15 comments

Comments:

God it all looked so horrendous watching the clip. Glad you are ok (we really need to know about Sandy, hehe)

Linda

By Anonymous, at 8:38 AM

Thanks Linda! I think my publishers re going to be insisting on the truth about Sandy being placed securely in their vaults, after this!!!!

By Peter James, at 10:06 AM

hahaha... What a wonderful slide.. I give it an 8 out of 10. Well done! .... Would expect the 2CV to flip over going sideways like that. Lucky it didn't.

By Marcel, at 12:47 PM

You are mad...who would even get in a CV2 never mind race it. The French rocking on the road car. Never needed a sick bag in a DC10 but chit that car should be scrapped.

I have to admit that car racing is my pet hate. VROOM VROOM. Yet my father always had a good powerful car but he never wanted to drive it round and round. tee hee.

You had better stay alive so we have more books. Now get home and do some real work

work to keep the public amused.

just JM to-day

By Anonymous, at 1:46 PM

Hi Marcel

Thanks for the points!!! Actually did tip over onto his side and slide several yards, just past the camera, then righted itself. That was an interesting experience...!

Hi JM - point taken!!!!

By Peter James, at 5:37 PM

Peter,
A bit more time in the skid car at Dunsfold me thinks!!!!

Stay safe,

Steve Hargrave.

By Anonymous, at 12:34 AM

Maybe I should have asked Jeremy Clarkson for a tip while I was there...!!!!!

By Peter James, at 12:37 PM

Sorry the weekend didn't go to plan, but imagine how Jensen feels. Pleased for Vettal and Red Bull though, looks like the season is going to get interesting. So pleased you didn't hurt yourself and live to write another day.

Loving Dead Tomorrow and I am trying not to read it too fast, what will I read when I have finished it. The characters and plot are fantastic, not that I like everyone in the book but I don't supposed I am meant too.

I heard you on the radio 5 live the other day, I thought that they didn't treat you too well interrupting you and speaking over you. And picking bits out of the book out of context, then cutting it short and not giving you a chance to speak. The thing about your books is that they are a complete work, if you don't read it all you will not understand. You always seem to have one bit in the book which is difficult to read but it is always a necessary part of the plot.

Good luck the Dead Tomorrow promotion.

Take Care Jacqueline Twamley

By Jacqueline Twamley, at 1:22 PM

Thanks very much, Jacqueline - yes very relieved I didn't injure my hands so can keep typing!!!

I agree that the Rad 5 show was very disjointed - it was bad enough having two sodding horse races in the middle of it, then a whole bit of politics which really could have waited! Simon Mayo was getting irritated to - he is a genuinely passionate supporter of writers.

By Peter James, at 4:35 PM

I am glad to hear it. Well I have finished Dead Tomorrow, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. The only problem is that I have to wait until next June to read the next one. Everyone did say it is the best Roy Grace yet and I have to agree. All the characters seem so real. You have done it for me again. The stories being about the area in which I live is soooooo interesting. Winter Cottage is up where my Mum lives and Wiston is just round the corner from me. I can see it from my house. Thank you Peter, take care Jacqueline

By Jacqueline Twamley, at 4:59 PM

You sure do love to live dangerously, Peter. I thought most authors wrote to get this stuff out of their systems. But you do it for real!! Still it makes for good download ;)

Take care on those roads...

Matt

By matwil, at 10:00 PM

Hi Matt

I guess I spend so much of my life sitting in a sedentary way behind my desk that I enjoy the adrenaline rush of speed as a contrast! Mind you, I had not planned to research a near-death-experience in quite such close detail......

By Peter James, at 7:31 PM

Oh,!! don't do that again will you,Peter..we need you. :)

Norma (from just down the road from Oulton Park)

By Anonymous, at 2:22 PM

Hi Peter

Many congrats on your Doctor of Letters honour - how exciting! Must say that the gown suits you very well - the colous are 'so you'!

Now finished Dead Tomorrow - wonderful! Also sent for the earlier books (originals of which I managed to give away!) from Book Depository - all arrived safely, so am now in the throes of reading them again!

Take care - no more car crashes if you can help it!

Linda (Auckland, New Zealand)

By Anonymous, at 11:59 PM

Thanks Linda - will obey your instructions!!!

By Peter James, at 2:48 PM