Lexus RC F GT3 at Goodwood: This Car Is On Fire
Lexus puts on a pretty “exciting” show at Goodwood as legendary driver Scott Pruett narrowly escapes disaster.
Each year, the Goodwood Festival of Speed serves up the most iconic racing machinery in the world – all in one place. We also get to see those amazing rides, both vintage and modern, in action in a variety of settings. It’s a genuinely good time for all. Well, except maybe Team Lexus driver Scott Pruett, who had a bit of a close encounter at this year’s FoS in a Lexus RC F GT3 racer.
Pruett was suited up after finishing a run around the circuit when his car suddenly burst into flames. Thankfully, neither he nor any of the nearby crew members were hurt. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but this particular Lexus RC F GT3 was not in the brand’s current IMSA racing fleet. In fact, it is a European race/show car used specifically for exhibitions like this one.
Which we suppose is a little comforting, at least. Of course, Pruett has had his fair share of time behind the wheel of these racers. Heck, he competed in one as recently as last season. So needless to say, the 57-year old’s instincts seem to have kicked in pretty quickly.
“Something broke – we were just about ready to turn in when I heard something snap in the rear,” Pruett explained to U.K.’s Express. “I don’t know what it was, the guys will get into it, but I started to smell some fuel. They had me get out real quick and unfortunately it dumped a load of fuel on the ground. It makes for an exciting day. I’m glad to be here and I’m glad everybody is fine.”
Exciting indeed. But we’re guessing that having a Lexus RC F GT3 racer spontaneously burst into flames wasn’t the automaker’s idea of putting on a show!