Davy Jones big crash at Road Atlanta (April 5, 1986) IMSA GTP

Davy Jones (born June 1, 1964) is an American racing driver. In 1983 he came 3rd in the British Formula Three Championship behind Ayrton Senna and Martin Brundle. He also that year tested the Brabham F1 car at Brands Hatch with Bernie Ecclestone, the then team owner, looking at Jones as the next American hope for F1 competition. In the mid-1980s Jones competed in New Zealand Formula Atlantic during the off season and twice won the New Zealand Grand Prix in 1984 & 1987. In 1986 Jones drove for the Factory BMW McLaren Team in IMSA GTP with teammate John Andretti and earned the only BMW GTP victory that season at Watkins Glen.

The BMW GTP was an IMSA GTP sports racing car built by BMW in 1986. Four March 86Gs were rebuilt by BMW North America into the BMW GTP, and fitted with a Formula One-derived BMW M12/14 turbocharged straight-four engine. Like the F1 cars that used the M12 engine, the BMW GTPs were fragile, and often retired from races; however, when they did complete a race, the BMW GTP was usually classified in the overall top ten. For longevity purposes in endurance races, it usually ran around 800 hp (597 kW; 811 PS). However, in qualifying trim, 1,400 hp (1,044 kW; 1,419 PS) was feasible; combined with the aerodynamics the 220+mph top speed was limited only by gearing. Contemporary car specifications at Le Mans with similar aerodynamics and far less power figures and were surpassing near 250 mph.