Whospunit? Riddle of supercar crash driver

Published on Thursday 25 March 2010 21:43

IT'S the most intriguing mystery to grip the world of British motor sport since the Stig first donned his distinctive helmet to drive a reasonably priced car on BBC's Top Gear show.

• The 528,000 Pagani Zonda S, capable of 220mph, went off the road and ploughed into a telegraph pole, doing 300,000 of damage in September. Picture: PA

Yesterday, websites devoted to supercars and motor racing were abuzz with speculation about the possible identity of the "internationally famous" racing champion who had been at the wheel of a 528,000 Pagani Zonda S – one of the world's most exclusive cars – when it crashed spectacularly on an Aberdeenshire road, causing a staggering 300,000 of damage.

Aberdeen's Press and Journal yesterday reported motor racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart was at the wheel of the supercar when it spun off the road and slammed into a telegraph pole during a test drive for a motorsport magazine.

But the "Flying Scot", who is in Melbourne, Australia for the second race of the Formula 1 racing season, angrily refuted the allegation. A spokeswoman said: "We are aware of this story and it is categorically not true. Sir Jackie is aware of the story and it was absolutely not him. He has never driven the car."

The speculation about the identity of the driver began earlier this week after it was revealed that the Zonda, owned by oil tycoon Gareth Jones, had been sent for repair to the supercar's manufacturing base at Modena in Italy.

Insurers Aviva confirmed the company was facing its biggest insurance payout for repairs to a private car in the UK. A spokesman for Aviva said the claim had been lodged by "a test driver" and not the owner of the car.

He added: "Although the vehicle was badly damaged, Aviva decided that the car may be repairable and set about making arrangements for it to be shipped across to Modena."

Mr Jones, 57, is the laird of 12th Century Arnage Castle, near Ellon. He revealed earlier this week he had been in the passenger seat, beside an "internationally famous racing champ", when the driver crashed on the Ellon to Auchnagatt road, striking a telegraph pole then plunging through a barbed wire fence.

Mr Jones, who has been photographed standing next to Sir Jackie at a race meeting at the Knockhill circuit in Fife, declared: "Whilst I can't say who the driver was, I am very happy to say it wasn't Sir Jackie."

He continued: "I wish I could go and dig a hole and just jump into it. This absolutely never came from me. I was so careful to point out that it wasn't him.

"I didn't put Sir Jackie's name out there. I have been very careful to point out that it wasn't him."

Repairs to his damaged Zonda are expected to be completed by May. In the meantime, he has consoled himself by buying a 900,000 Pagani Zonda F Club Sport from the Italian supercar company.

Petrolheads, meanwhile, flooded various websites to comment on the story and pictures of the badly damaged Zonda.

One blogger from Sweden said: "That'll buff right out." An American supercar enthusiast wrote: "Wow! People in Scotland still use the telegraph?" And another blogger declared: "I cannot imagine Aberdeenshire being the best place to road-test this car. The roads are narrow, pothole ridden, full of tractors and their mud."

The story about Sir Jackie was yesterday removed from the Press and Journal's website.

ZERO TO 60 IN 3.7SECS

THE ZONDA S is said to be one of only two car models in the world which gain in value because they are so sought after.

Designed by Horacio Pagani – the "Leonardo da Vinci" of supercar design – the Zonda is custom made in the Italian town of Modena which is also home to Ferrari and Lamborghini.

Only some ten Zondas are made each year, tailor-made from carbon fibre, titanium and aircraft aluminium. The Zonda S is powered by a V12 engine and can do 0-62 mph in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 220 mph. The central safety cell is precision-made using standards from the aircraft industry.

Top Gear's website says it is "Outrageously quick and useable, with masses of potential if you're feeling brave enough to explore the limits of grip."