This wild wreck at Pollauberg Hillclimb was not fatal for anyone.
These photographers thought they were safe from the racing action. It is always dangerous to be on the outside corners. However, this video gives two important lessons for those who love taking photos at racing events. Always keep a spotter close by and never underestimate the unexpected. Even if you are standing on a hill in the middle of a straight.
The 2022 Pollauberg Hillclimb was the scene of the crash. It took place in April in the southeastern Austria region. This annual event has a wide variety of competitors taking on the 1.24-mile stage. It is a modest 328-foot climb from start to finish. The video above, from Motorsportvideos Luky M., on YouTube, captures the final straight right before the finish. According to comments, neither the driver nor the spectators were injured in the crash.
This was not the case for the KTMX-Bow GTX which suffered a complete loss of its front clip. Dominik Olbert, the driver, went into the last left-hander slightly too hot. This caused the rear to swerve slightly as he exited the corner. Control is lost when the right rear tire slides into the grass. The KTM sailed off the course at almost a 90-degree angle and crashed into the deep ditch head on. The front of the car spins, sending parts flying in every direction.
Despite being several hundred feet from the road, the photographers begin scattering as momentum carries a heavily damaged X-Bow into the spot where many people were standing. It stops just in front a parked vehicle, about 50 feet away from the finish line.
Olbert’s Instagram account features a XBow racing in a recent endurance race. It’s not clear if this is the same car or a rebuilt car. We are glad to see that all is well, and that he is back on the saddle after such an awful crash.