A Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West driver sustained injuries in a crash at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Saturday after his car went off track and became airborne. The incident occurred as the driver approached the track's renowned corkscrew turn.
Manuel Gil Del Real, piloting the No. 270 Porsche, appeared to lose brake function while heading towards the Zanardi Corkscrew section of the track, according to notes from the event. Video footage captured the car cresting a blind hill without slowing down, launching over a curb, clearing a tire wall, and impacting a protective catch fence.
The Porsche 911 broke apart upon impact, somersaulting into a treeline beyond the track's perimeter and scattering debris across the hillside. Despite the severity of the crash, Del Real survived the incident and was airlifted to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. Porsche Motorsport North America confirmed Del Real was awake following the crash. The car was participating in a race event at the California-based raceway.