Fatal accident during practice for Nurburgring 24hrs
Chairman of imports into Germany for Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia Christian Peruzzi died in an accident during second qualifying for the Nurburgring 24-hour race on Friday
Peruzzi was to race an Alfa 147 diesel in the endurance event, along with three German journalists. During qualifying, the 38-year old's Alfa left the famous Nordschlieffe circuit between the Aremberg and the Schwedenkreuz section - one of the fastest parts of the 25.359km track. Peruzzi is thought to have been going almost 120mph when he lost control, hit the kerb and barrel-rolled several times, with the car coming to rest on its roof.
The session was stopped and doctors were on the scene of the accident almost immediately, but found there was little they could do. Peruzzi sustained massive head injuries.
Peruzzi joined Alfa Romeo after his graduation as an economist in 1988 and was a keen motorsport enthusiast. The part-time racer was one of the people behind Alfa Romeo's works-involvement in the DTM in the mid-90s and was also a strong supporter of the new Alfa 147 Diesel one-make series, which will make its debut in Germany at the end of this season.
After discussions between representatives of Team Scuola Sportiva, which ran the Alfa Romeo-entry, and the race organisers, it was decided the event would continue. Practice went on into the evening last night (Friday).
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