Gregory Moore fatal accident at Fontana (October 31, 1999) THE MOST COMPLETE FOOTAGE
Gregory William Moore (April 22, 1975 – October 31, 1999) was a Canadian racecar driver who was fatally injured in a violent (154 G - forces) crash on the tenth lap of the CART season finale, the Marlboro 500, at the California Speedway in Fontana, California.
Moore was killed in the early going of season final race at Fontana Raceway. If his car hadn't tripped onto its side while sliding across the infield grass of the California Speedway, the 24-year-old Canadian might well have survived. The on-board telemetry said Greg Moore's fatal accident registered 154 in G-forces, but it was the angle of impact that produced the devastating results. But when Moore's car spun down from the turn two banking and got into the grass, it crossed the concrete surface road, dug in and flipped hitting the wall cockpit first and inducing massive head injuries. Dr. Steve Olvey, director of CART's medical affairs, said it was the inverted angle of impact, not the speed, that proved fatal.
After early race restart, on lap 9 of the race, Greg lost control of his racing car in the exit of turn two and spun into the infield grass at more than 200 mph. His car hit an access road, flipped over and slammed into an infield concrete wall sideways with the top of the car directly facing the wall at unabated speed crushing his body between the car and the wall. Moore received massive head and internal injuries in the crash and was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
A similar crash involving Richie Hearn a few moments before Moore's didn't result in the same consequences. Hearn's car remained on its wheels when it slid across the surface road before plowing into the wall. Richie Hearn had crashed in exactly the same location. The skidmark pattern was nearly identical, both drivers having struck the inside wall. Hearn walked away, and Moore did not. Moreover, a strong northerly wind was blowing that day, creating a cross wind down the backstretch where both incidents occurred.
During the weekend before the race, Moore was knocked off his scooter by a paddock truck and Greg broke his right hand. Unsure that he would be able to race, Player's-Forsythe hired Roberto Moreno as an emergency backup driver. After a medical consultation, and an in-car test, he was allowed to race using a hand brace, starting from the back of the grid because his team had missed qualifying.
Moore was a well-liked driver by both racing fans and members of the CART racing community. Makeshift memorials were started at his former high school, Pitt Meadows Secondary School, and at Greg's father's car dealership. Moore competed in the Indy Lights and CART World Series, where he had great success with several wins in both series and a championship in the 1995 Indy Lights series. Moore's car number, 99, was retired by CART as a mark of respect after his death.
Moore was killed in the early going of season final race at Fontana Raceway. If his car hadn't tripped onto its side while sliding across the infield grass of the California Speedway, the 24-year-old Canadian might well have survived. The on-board telemetry said Greg Moore's fatal accident registered 154 in G-forces, but it was the angle of impact that produced the devastating results. But when Moore's car spun down from the turn two banking and got into the grass, it crossed the concrete surface road, dug in and flipped hitting the wall cockpit first and inducing massive head injuries. Dr. Steve Olvey, director of CART's medical affairs, said it was the inverted angle of impact, not the speed, that proved fatal.
After early race restart, on lap 9 of the race, Greg lost control of his racing car in the exit of turn two and spun into the infield grass at more than 200 mph. His car hit an access road, flipped over and slammed into an infield concrete wall sideways with the top of the car directly facing the wall at unabated speed crushing his body between the car and the wall. Moore received massive head and internal injuries in the crash and was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
A similar crash involving Richie Hearn a few moments before Moore's didn't result in the same consequences. Hearn's car remained on its wheels when it slid across the surface road before plowing into the wall. Richie Hearn had crashed in exactly the same location. The skidmark pattern was nearly identical, both drivers having struck the inside wall. Hearn walked away, and Moore did not. Moreover, a strong northerly wind was blowing that day, creating a cross wind down the backstretch where both incidents occurred.
During the weekend before the race, Moore was knocked off his scooter by a paddock truck and Greg broke his right hand. Unsure that he would be able to race, Player's-Forsythe hired Roberto Moreno as an emergency backup driver. After a medical consultation, and an in-car test, he was allowed to race using a hand brace, starting from the back of the grid because his team had missed qualifying.
Moore was a well-liked driver by both racing fans and members of the CART racing community. Makeshift memorials were started at his former high school, Pitt Meadows Secondary School, and at Greg's father's car dealership. Moore competed in the Indy Lights and CART World Series, where he had great success with several wins in both series and a championship in the 1995 Indy Lights series. Moore's car number, 99, was retired by CART as a mark of respect after his death.