View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
January 23, 2013

Motoring journalist ‘facing bankruptcy’ after classic car’s engine exploded during track session

By William Turvill

A motoring journalist claims he is facing bankruptcy after he was sued for damaging a former professional racing driver's £1.25m Porsche.

Mark Hales, a freelance whose work has featured in The Daily Telegraph, Classic and Sports Car, and Evo, was at the wheel of the car when its engine exploded. And the car's owner,  ex-Formula One driver David Piper, is now suing him for damages.

He believes the damage was caused by Hales “over-revving” the engine during a track session in 2009. But the Grimsby Telegraph reports that Hales claims the gear jumped out, leading to engine failure.

According to AOL's report of the case, 82-year-old Piper told the High Court: “If you bend it, you mend it.” He claimed he had to ship his Porsche 917 to Germany in order for the engine repairs to take place.

According to reports Hales has been ordered to pay nearly £50,000 for the repair and is also facing £63,000 in legal fees after a High Court judge ruled that the incident was a result of “driver error”.

Hales told the Grimsby Telegraph: “It looks like bankruptcy for me.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network