Le Mans legend Wollek killed in road accident

Le Mans legend Wollek killed in road accident


‘Greatest driver never to win Le Mans’ struck down while cycling near Sebring


Sportscar legend Bob Wollek has died after being hit by a car while cycling near the Sebring circuit in Florida.

The Frenchman was struck by a car at approximately 16:30 local time (21:30 GMT) on Highway 98 near Sebring. He was taken to Highlands Medical Centre where he was pronounced dead.

57 year-old Wollek made his Le Mans debut in 1968, driving an Alpine Renault A210. Over the course of 30 subsequent appearances at La Sarthe his name became synonymous with the Porsche marque, although he never took overall victory in the enduro.

Wollek won the Daytona 24 Hours on four occasions and won the Sebring 12 Hours in 1985, sharing a Porsche 962 with AJ Foyt. He was due to drive the Petersen/White Lightning Porsche 911 GT3-RS with Britain’s Johnny Mowlem in the 12-hour race tomorrow.

Panoz Motor Sports Chief Operating Officer Scott Atherton issued a statement expressing his deepest sympathy to Wollek’s friends and family and his legion of fans.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.