Audi R8 Fire Considered Accidental

[Bodhii]

Hand-held fire extinguishers are not a bad extra to keep next to the passenger seat.

July 11, 2010
Fairfield,CT.

The blaze that destroyed an Audi R8 valued at more than $120,000 on the Merritt Parkway Sunday morning is being investigated as an accidental fire, firefighters said.

Assistant Fire Chief Stephen B. Curry said the driver of the Audi R8, which he estimated is worth about $123,000, was driving northbound on the Merritt Parkway between exits 46 and 47 when he noticed smoke coming from the back of the car about 8:59 a.m.

"The engine caught fire. It's a rear-engine car. It absolutely destroyed the car," Curry said.

Curry said the car was a "pure race car" and "a street version of [Audi's] Formula One race car."

Curry said the driver, the only occupant of the car, pulled off to the side of the parkway when he noticed smoke and that the Audi was "essentially fully involved" by fire when firefighters arrived. He said the driver wasn't injured. "I think right now they're investigating it as an accidental fire," Curry said.

The identity of the driver wasn't available from firefighters Sunday afternoon.

http://fairfield.patch.com/articles/...l#photo-670542

[KfabR8]

I wonder if I can get his front end??? Put the back half of mine with the front of his and I'd be back on the road!

"Curry said the car was a "pure race car" and "a street version of [Audi's] Formula One race car."

Don't you love it when the hype is up to here? (I'm holding my hand just above my eyebrows - which Rich of OEM will attest is not all that far above the ground... )

Guess what guys! We drive street going Audi Formula One cars!!!




Sorry, I digress.

I just find it comical the way things get hyped up in the wonderful world of reporting - and more than likely the poor guy [that owned the car]'s ego.

Not trying to be ugly either; I know what it feels like to loose one.

[Bodhii]

Hey, there is a very good chance that the driver/owner reads this forum. Maybe he actively participates, or maybe he just stays in the shadows. > Anyway, if you are out there, man,... our honest condolences for the loss of the car, but all glad you are still good to go.

[gazza1]

Must be a totally hapless feeling to watch while the fire takes hold and you just become a observer.

It is a V8 model..correct??

Like all of us..why?

[tcoop1]

Found this today, only one of two registered in US?????
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/lo...ads-22377.html

[Bodhii]

Patel may have lost a car like this, but he still is the winner of a $25 million Powerball jackpot. According to CTPost, he won the money on June 29, 2009, from a $1 ticket. He only received a check for $8.7 million after all the taxes. Maybe he still has some of those money saved somewhere so he can just buy another one.

Easy come; easy go!

[russman]

Here's more....

According to reports, Rahul Patel, of Newington, was driving the car, only a week old, northbound on the parkway around 9 a.m., when, between exit 46 and 47 in Fairfield, he looked up in the rearview mirror and saw smoke.

NOW, it gets interesting!!!! Can you imagine!

Losing such a rare car might be considered bad luck but, almost exactly a year ago, Patel had luck of a different sort when he won a $25 million Powerball jackpot. He won the money on June 29, 2009, from a $1 ticket.

At that time, Connecticut lottery officials said Patel, then 32 years old, and the only winner, opted to take the prize as a one-time cash lump sum of $12.5 million. After state and federal taxes, he received a check for $8.7 million

[KfabR8]

Found this today, only one of two registered in US?????

Totaled Daytona Gray R8's. - at least it appears it was Daytona Gray.

[z356]

Some of the press reports are pretty pathetic. Apparently these crack reporters have never heard of comprehensive auto insurance coverage because they are speculating whether the owner, a past lotto winner, still has money left over to buy a new R8. z356

[S&W 10]

I wonder if he got the new flat screen TV off the roof before the fire got to it?

Seriously though, if you're hanging out here somewhere, sorry for your loss; I really do hate to see a fine vehicle damaged.