The circumstances of his death are as tragic as they are ironic. According to witnesses, Grosjean got hit from behind by Tony Jordan, who finished third, as he was doing a celebration wheelie some 300 meters passed the finish line.
"The Dubai Autodrome team and the motorsport community of the UAE are deeply saddened by the enormous loss and pass on our sincere condolences to Pascal Grosjean's family and friends," Hamish Brown, general executive of Dubai Autodrome said in a statement. "Pascal was a multiple UAE champion who was well respected in motorsport and motorcycle community."
Those attending the race were in shock as they witnessed Grosjean slowing down for the wheelie and Jordan coming right towards him at speeds of around 200 km/h (127 mph). Both were rushed to hospital, but Grosjean was declared dead upon arrival. Jordan has suffered injuries which required surgery and is currently in intensive care at the Rashid Hospital in Dubai.
"Motorsport will not be the same without Pascal. He was such a super guy - he was funny, energetic and such a perfectionist. He had a disciplined lifestyle and was committed to the cause of taking motorbike racing to a different level," Carissa Crowley, public relations and marketing manager for Gros Gross, the dead rider's team was quoted as saying by Gulf News.
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