CAMS
It is with deep regret that the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) confirms that Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series driver Ashley Cooper, aged 27, of Ulladulla in New South Wales, has passed away in Royal Adelaide Hospital today following a race incident last Saturday at the Clipsal 500.
Cooper, an experienced motor racing competitor, was critically injured when his vehicle impacted with a safety barrier at the exit of a corner. He was quickly attended to trackside by the event's senior medical personnel and subsequently transported to the Royal Adelaide Hospital by ambulance.
There were no other vehicles involved in the incident and no one else was injured.
CAMS President, Colin Osborne, said that Cooper's passing was something that would be felt by the entire Australian motor sport community.
"Firstly our thoughts and sympathies go to Ashley's family and friends, particularly his wife Casey and two children and parents Alan and Maree," said Osborne.
"It is always a very sad day when any member of the motor sport community is taken from us.
"The motor racing community involves a close knit group of competitors and officials and I know that everyone will be feeling the loss of Ashley.
"CAMS will conduct its own full independent investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the incident. In the mean time, CAMS and event officials are working with the relevant civil authorities to assist with their investigations."
CAMS Chief Executive Officer, Graham Fountain, praised the actions of officials immediately following the incident.
"We have to thank our Clipsal 500 Adelaide officials for their swift and professional actions as the loss of Ashley will no doubt have an effect on our many volunteers who work tirelessly at amateur and professional motor sport events around the country each weekend.
"Our extensive counselling and support services will be offered to Ashley's family and friends as well as to the competitors and officials involved in the event to help them though this tragic time."
CAMS will provide further details on Cooper's funeral arrangements when they become available.
V8 Supercar
Wayne Cattach CEO V8 Supercars Australia:
“It was sad to learn that Fujitsu V8 Supercar driver Ashley Cooper has passed away.
Ashley fought a strong battle but sadly his injuries were too great.
Our greatest sympathies and all of our wishes are with Ashley’s family, in particular his partner Casey and their two children Ella and Bailey.
As a group we will do absolutely everything we can to support them at this time. I visited Ashley’s parents and his partner Casey in hospital yesterday along with Clipsal 500 Chief Executive Andrew Daniels and we will continue support them along the rocky road ahead.
We ask that all members of the media respect the privacy of the family and do not contact them at this time.
A full and thorough inquiry into the accident will be conducted and led by CAMS.
We have had a preliminary look at the footage of the accident and from what it appears his car may have clipped the guard rail on entry to the corner. There is nothing that we can find that would indicate any failure of the seat, his HANS device, the straps or the roll cage.
Our sport over-complies with the highest FIA rules for closed cockpit racing and most of our teams extend even beyond our own high standards with their own safety measures.
Certainly there have been accidents that would appear far more severe than was the case here when drivers have walked away unscathed. Such is the nature of motorsport.
We will not be making any further comment at this time.”