Sometime between Friday and Saturday prior to the 1991 US Grand Prix, the cars of the Leyton House cars were sabotaged with brake lines being cut, etc. Was it ever explained or suggested what was behind all this?
Sabotaged Leyton House cars
Started by
Formula Once
, Apr 09 2012 16:30
8 replies to this topic
#3
jcbc3
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Posted 10 April 2012 - 06:10
Disgruntled employee seems the most obvious explanation.
#4
Amaroo Park
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Posted 10 April 2012 - 08:27
Was it widely reported at the time?
#5
Tim Murray
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Posted 10 April 2012 - 09:31
In the UK, certainly. It was the lead item in Autosport's news section that week (with a photo of some of the damage) and Motoring News had a separate 'box' about it in their GP report. I've checked the following few issues of both mags looking for any follow-up items but couldn't find anything. I assume the mystery was never solved.
Leyton House's Chris Murphy described the incident as 'a malicious attack obviously done by someone who knew exactly what they were doing. They knew how to upset a racing car, but only in an annoying way.'
Leyton House's Chris Murphy described the incident as 'a malicious attack obviously done by someone who knew exactly what they were doing. They knew how to upset a racing car, but only in an annoying way.'
#6
Formula Once
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Posted 10 April 2012 - 09:35
I only remember a TV report on Eurosport in which it was explained that the damage done was so obvious that the one(s) who did it probably wanted it to be discovered before the cars would go out. I read the Autosports of the time as well, but never heard anything of it later on, that's why I wonder what really happened there.
#7
BRG
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Posted 10 April 2012 - 11:49
Wasn't Leyton House a bit dodgy? Maybe it was someone making them an offer they couldn't refuse?
Another sabotage incident was on the works TR7s on the Tour de Corse 1978 when someone removed the gearbox drain plugs from both cars in parc ferme.
Another sabotage incident was on the works TR7s on the Tour de Corse 1978 when someone removed the gearbox drain plugs from both cars in parc ferme.
#8
arttidesco
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Posted 10 April 2012 - 13:09
Wasn't Leyton House a bit dodgy?
Leyton House team owner Akira Akagi was implicated in a financial scandal involving the Fuji Bank, fake deposits and loans taken out on them. Not to sure if he was ever found found guilty of a crime or did any time.
He once said ''I want to sell dreams to people. I can say our product is a little more expensive than others because it includes these dreams.''
#9
backfire
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Posted 10 April 2012 - 16:29
I think some Japanese porridge was eaten (according to my Japanese friend who did some work for the team - he was always paid in cash!)
