Is The Porsche Carrera GT The Most Dangerous Road Car Ever Made?

Walker wasn’t driving the Carrera GT when it crashed in 2013. His friend, Roger Rodas, who also died in the accident, was behind the wheel. The crash happened on a street with a 45 mph limit that’s a popular spot for drifting, but an investigation determined the car was traveling between 80 and 93 mph at the time. However, it was determined that the reason for the loss of control was down to the age of the tires. The 2005 car had 3,500 miles on the clock, and its original tires. That means the tires were at least eight years old, probably nine, and rubber degrades over time. Many manufacturers say to replace tires six years after their production date, whether they are worn or not. Some manufacturers claim a ten-year tire life, but that depends on how the tire is stored and things like exposure to heat.

The lawsuit from the Walker family blamed Porsche for defects in the car, including instability and seat belt placement. Porsche said of Walker that: “The perils, risk, and danger were open and obvious and known to him, and he chose to conduct himself in a manner so as to expose himself to such perils, dangers, and risks, thus assuming all the risks involved in using the vehicle.”

Originally published at https://carbuzz.com on May 10, 2020.