Skyline GT-R Owners File Lawsuit Against Laguna Seca After Tractor Collided with Stationary Vehicles During Red Flag Situation

      Artin Nazaryan

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      Two drivers are filing a lawsuit against WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca after a day at the track turned disastrous when a worker operating a telehandler collided with their Nissan Skyline GT-Rs while they were stationary on the track's front straight during a red flag earlier this month.

      The lawsuit, submitted on Tuesday in Monterey County Superior Court by attorneys representing GT-R owners Artin Nazaryan and Akihiro Fuchigami, states that the two men were following Laguna Seca's directions by safely pulling over to the side of the track after their session was halted due to another incident. While they were stopped, a telehandler—a large tractor with a forklift design and an extendable boom—entered the track behind them carrying a stack of tires, drove directly towards them, and crashed into both cars with the drivers still inside.

      Videos of the collision along with images of the damage quickly spread on Instagram after Nazaryan shared them following the incident.

      A camera facing rearward from a vehicle in the pit lane captured the moment just before the telehandler struck Nazaryan’s GT-R.

      In the top right, Nazaryan’s red R34 GT-R is shown. Below it is Fuchigami’s purple R32 GT-R. Photos courtesy of Artin Nazaryan.

      The Drive contacted Nazaryan, whose lawyer provided the images in this article as well as the court documents. A media and public relations representative from Laguna Seca responded to our request for a comment, stating: “An incident involving a track support vehicle and a racecar took place at the facility during a privately operated on-track event earlier this month. The track is continuing to diligently and promptly address the situation.”

      The collision severely damaged the back of Nazaryan’s red R34 GT-R, crushing the trunk and rear bumper, shattering the rear window, and breaking the wing. Fuchigami’s purple R32 GT-R also suffered significant damage to its right rear quarter panel.

      The lawsuit claims that “the telehandler operator proceeded without maintaining a safe and clear line of sight ahead and without taking adequate measures to ensure the path of travel was clear,” and that he “failed to perceive both of Plaintiffs’ stopped vehicles in front of him in sufficient time to avoid a collision.” It argues that the telehandler was operated in a “grossly negligent manner” and that necessary precautions such as “appropriate communications,” along with spotters and guidance, were not implemented.

      Furthermore, it states that both Nazaryan and Fuchigami experienced injuries that include, but are not limited to, physical injuries, pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, inconvenience, and other non-economic damages that will be established at trial.

      Aside from the substantial monetary value of the cars, they were evidently cherished by both owners, and Nazaryan's Instagram profile indicates he purchased his R34 in March. While we cannot assess the level of negligence on Laguna Seca’s part, it is clear from the images and videos that something went horribly wrong that day. We hope the situation is rectified.

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