Tragedy unfortunately struck down the motorsport community again at the weekend after it was confirmed that a veteran racer succumbed to injuries inflicted in a multi-car accident at the opening race of the 2026 ADAC Ravenol N24 Qualifiers on Saturday.
Over one hundred and thirty-two cars were listed as entering this weekend’s pair of four-hour races however the events early into Saturday’s race saw the proceedings red flagged due to this multi-car incident, but no further details were given.
Only later into the evening when it was confirmed that race one of the weekend would not be resumed did race organisers confirm that 66-year-old Finnish racer Juha Miettinen had sadly passed away despite the best of efforts by the medical and circuit staff.
That seven-car accident had also claimed the #27 Prosport Racing Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT3 amongst the carnage just prior to the Karussell and that car and crew would take no further involvement in Sundays continuation.
Another Aston Martin also damaged during earlier track sessions on Saturday was the #39 Walkenhorst Motorsport AMR Vantage GT3 Evo which was lucky not to have either rolled or vaulted the circuit guardrail having spun out coming out of one corner to nose heavily into the barrier before careering backwards in flight before landing again in a crumped heap on its wheels.
The driver concerned reported back to the team that he was otherwise OK.
A minute’s silence was held for Miettinen before the start of Sunday’s Qualification race but the results of that appear to be insignificant considering.
The 2026 ADAC Ravenol N24 will run over the weekend of the 16-17th May.
Photo credits – Team /social media
