So...think the rain in Fontana was the worst news for motorsport over the weekend?

I'll give you something else to compare it to then (and I haven't even seen it mentioned on here); Ashley Cooper.

He's a driver in the development series for the V8 Supercars in Australia and they had their opening round for the 2008 season in Adelaide. That was about the high point of the weekend for the 27 year-old really.

No need for me to add anything to it so this is straight from The Daily Telegraph paper article;

On Sunday afternoon fans at the V8 Supercar event were asked to stand in silence as chaplain Garry Coleman led a prayer dedicated to Cooper, who was given an emergency tracheotomy at the crash scene.

Sporting chiefs were yesterday left to defend their safety record and the Adelaide street circuit as they paid tribute to him.

Cooper was competing in the Fujitsu Series, a V8 Supercar support category, when he slammed his VZ Commodore into a concrete barrier as he exited the street circuit's fastest turn at more than 200km/h.

V8 Supercars chief executive Wayne Cattach said a preliminary look at crash footage suggested Cooper's car might have clipped the guard rail on entry to the corner.

There was nothing to indicate failure of the seat, his roll cage, seat belt or other safety systems.

"Our sport over-complies with the highest FIA (Federation Internationale De L'Automobile) rules for closed cockpit racing and most of our teams extend even beyond our own high standards with their own safety measures," Mr Cattach said.

"Certainly there have been accidents when drivers have walked away unscathed that would appear far more severe than was the case here.

"This one didn't look all that bad to me (but) at the end of the day, motorsport is a dangerous pursuit and we try and make it as safe as possible.

"But when you've got a 1350kg car travelling at say 260 km/h top speed, it's a risky combination."

According to Cooper's personal website, he started racing in 1998 and his career highlights included being crowned the 2006 V8 Utes Rookie of the Year.

In an interview published just six days ago he said he was looking forward to racing and had high hopes for his trip to Adelaide.

"I hope to be able to finish the race well, but myself and the team are focused on working out the potential of the car and working out any kinks in performance," Cooper said.

"Having strong support from the local community is something that is important to us all (so) we hope people tune in and watch the Clipsal 500 and give me some support. In turn I hope to do the region proud."

Cooper is the second driver to die in a V8 Supercar accident in the past 12 years.

New Zealand driver Mark Porter was killed in the Fujitsu Series race at Bathurst in 2006.

He leaves behind a wife and two kids...still reckon it was the rain now?