Bernie Webb, a seasoned rally car co-driver, experienced a harrowing moment during his second Finke Desert Race when the truck he was navigating became airborne at a speed of approximately 160 kilometers per hour. This shocking event took place at the junction of Australia’s highways. It’s got a lot of people on the floor captivated for its whole intensity, but mostly for Webb’s cool temperament in the tornado.
The crash happened while he was co-driving for 6-time driver champion Mick Magher. Webb described the scene as it unfolded, with the truck flipping end over end, eventually landing almost 200 feet from where they had launched. Against all odds given the extremity of the crash, both Webb and Magher walked away with just some bruising.
The Incident
Webb described the sensation of the crash, stating, “It’s one of those situations where everything suddenly slows down.” The car launched into the air. He was thinking, “I recognize this feeling,” a testament to his deep experience with high-pressure racing situations.
In preparation for such incidents, Webb’s helmet was secured by tethers to prevent neck injuries, while his seat cocooned his torso tightly. This protective arrangement reduced their movement and probably helped them survive. The following day, Webb showed no soreness beyond the expected mild soreness in his calves, which was evidence of the precautions that were taken.
“We’ve gone to extreme lengths to make sure we are as well protected as possible.” – Bernie Webb
Though the situation was dramatic, Webb was sure to note that crashes like this one are an anomaly. It’s because staying where you were at during the situation that occurred was very important. “If I try and struggle against anything, it’s not going to help,” he reflected. At the heart of this philosophy is his pursuit of safety in racing through preparation—which may just stem from his aversion to the sport’s dangers.
Preparation and Strategy
Webb discussed the intricate planning that underlies the Finke Desert Race. Most importantly, he touted the enormous efforts made in advance of the event to guarantee a successful execution on Inauguration Day. The key, he warned, is in preparation. He just doesn’t have luck in his vocabulary, which is an indicator of his deep commitment to safety and strategic foresight.
“Luck is for people who don’t prepare.” – Bernie Webb
Webb told us that he considers himself incredibly lucky to be able to look back on the incident with nothing more than scrapes and bruises. He was incredibly thankful for all the safety features built into today’s rally cars. He argues that these features were absolutely key to their survival.
Looking Forward
Webb’s incident is a reminder to us all—the danger is a part of the exhilarating world of rally racing. After narrowly escaping what could have been a near-catastrophic incident, he’s not shaken and doesn’t plan on quitting — he wants to keep racing. We’re looking forward to his giving us some great insight into the challenge, beauty and intricacies of rally racing. His mission is to teach more people to be prepared, protected and safe.
“I look at that [accident] and say that everything that we’ve worked hard to prepare as an industry and individually has all worked perfectly.” – Bernie Webb
