Rob Huff has thanked Gabriele Tarquini for coming to his aid after the Brit’s huge crash in the opening FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) race in Vila Real, which ended Huff’s weekend.
Huff made contact with Sébastien Loeb Racing team-mate Mehdi Bennani at the strt of race one, and both drivers were pitched violently into the barriers and collected by the chasing pack.
The accident ripped the engine from the front of Huff’s Volkswagen Golf GTi, and with oil spilling onto the circuit a brief fire broke out.
Huff, winded by the force of the accident, was helped out of his car by the experienced Tarquini, and he was thankful to his fellow racer for the support.
“I’d like to say a huge thanks to Gabriele Tarquini,” said Huff. “I was very winded after the crash and couldn’t get out of my car, and with the engine oil spilling it was on fire, and he quickly came over and helped me get out of the car and stayed with me in the few minutes before the medical teams arrived.
“Also thanks to Yvan Muller, who also came to help out; it just shows that even though we’re all rivals on the track, there’s a great camaraderie between us all.
“I also want to say a thanks to all the fans out there. The number of messages of support have been overwhelming, and it’s been very humbling to know there are so many people who are looking out for me.”
Huff had earlier qualified on pole and was expecting a competitive weekend on the streets of Vila Real.
“I feel sorry for the team, as this should have been a sensational weekend for us. The Golf GTI TCR was absolutely amazing around this track. The car was quick, Mehdi was quick and there with us, but it’s just one of those things.”
With the cars completely destroyed, the team are sourcing two new chassis for the next round in Slovakia.
“We’ve just got to put this weekend behind us and look forward now to the next race in Slovakia. The cars were completely destroyed, so we have two new cars coming for the next round, but that means a lot more work for the guys to get them ready.
“I’ll do my best to make sure to repay them for their hard work at the next race.”