The KVSH Racing transporter, carrying the No. 11 Team Hydroxycut KVSH Racing Chevrolet for Sebastien Bourdais, caught fire en route to the Verizon IndyCar Series’ Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix, approximately 25 miles northeast of Phoenix International Raceway.
Fortunately, there was no damage to the cars or equipment inside, the team confirmed later on Wednesday. Initially, a team spokesperson confirmed the fire to NBC Sports, and that the team would assess the situation.
Driver Sebastien Bourdais just tweeted that the car should be good to go for the rest of the weekend.
Fire damage on the way to race2 but Stew and Phil did not get hurt, the car is fine, we will be good to go ! Thx. @KVSHRacing @TeamChevy
— Sébastien Bourdais (@BourdaisOnTrack) March 30, 2016
Here is the updated statement from the team following the incident:
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KVSH Racing will literally “rise from the ashes” for this weekend’s Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix, April 1-2, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, AZ.
The team has confirmed that the transporter carrying the No. 11 Team HYROXYCUT – KVSH Racing Chevrolet/Dallara/Firestone car driven by Sebastien Bourdais was damaged by a fire in Peoria, AZ approximately 25 miles from the end of a 1450-mile trip from the KVSH Racing shop in Indianapolis, IN to PIR.
The fire occurred and was confined to the rear axle area of the transporter. The vehicle sustained substantial damage, however, due to the quick actions of the two team members driving the transporter, the help of other racing team transport drivers and local Fire and Police officials, the contents of the transporter were undamaged.
“First and foremost, the good news is that both of our team members, John Phil Davis and Eric “Stu” Stewart were uninjured. Secondarily, the cars and equipment are undamaged,” said KVSH General Manager Steve Moore. “We are very fortunate to have to highly skilled and experienced transportation professionals who took quick and decisive action. Without them this situation could have been a lot worse. KVSH Racing would also like to thank the members of other teams and local Fire and Police responders for their assistance.”
The team is currently working on alternative logistics to support this weekend’s effort as they literally attempt to rise from the ashes and capture this weekend’s Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix, Round No. 2 of the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season. The race will be held April 2 at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, AZ. It will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network at 8:30 p.m. ET, Radio Broadcast: XM 209 and IMS IndyCar Radio and Online: IndyCar.com and Verizon IndyCar 15 app.
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Here is a screen capture of the fire by the NBC affiliate in Phoenix, KPNX, 12 News:
NOW: Sky12 is over WB L-101 and 75th Ave. for a vehicle fire. The fire is now out and crews are still on scene. pic.twitter.com/gKHtu7hZfG
— 12 News (@12News) March 30, 2016
Additionally, here is a shot from ace NHRA photographer Mark J. Rebilas, who lives in Phoenix:
Fire dept on scene for fire in the hauler for @IndyCar driver @BourdaisOnTrack 15 min from @PhoenixRaceway #indycar pic.twitter.com/krb1ZvocMf
— Mark J. Rebilas (@rebilasphoto) March 30, 2016