Jari-Matti Latvala rolls his Focus RS down a lovely Portuguese hillside in a crash

[HeilSvenska]

Latvala big crash Portugal 09 wrc - YouTube

The Ford team says Jari-Matti Latvala was extremely lucky to escape injury when he crashed while leading the Rally of Portugal this morning.

The Finn was 10 seconds clear of the field when he rolled near the mid-point of the Malhao stage.

Latvala's car went over the top of an armco barrier, and continued rolling for some distance - ending up 50 metres off the road. The Ford Focus came to rest against a tree, which prevented it from falling down an enormous drop.

The team reports that the car has been 'destroyed' and there is no chance that Latvala will be able to restart tomorrow.

Having crashed early on in both Ireland and Cyprus, Latvala had pledged to take a more measured approach to this weekend's event. His previous accidents meant he was only seventh in the championship heading for Portugal.

Autosport

[Vansquish]

Damn...that's a huge shunt...I'm glad to hear he's ok though.

[SHIZL]

he is probably my fav in the wrc the last 2 years unfortnately if he continues wrecking cars and not finishing he wont be driving for much longer. gronholms return was promising in the prodrive subaru then there was a tree and the rear of the car and he has been sidelined see if he comes back in day 3

[marcefer]

This boy was very lucky. 3 crashes so far, sounds like a warning.
he should cool down a little bit or may not be so lucky next time.