Wolf Silvester Dies After Health Problems at German VLN Racing Championship

VLN driver Wolf Silvester has passed away from "health problems" suffered on the track Saturday during the third-round run of the 2013 German VLN Endurance Racing Championship. 

The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) had the report.

Silvester was 55. 

The VLN released this statement following the tragedy:

"

The third round of the VLN endurance racing championship at the Nürburgring was stopped due to the death of ‘Wolf Silvester’, participant in the event, presumably as a consequence of health problems.

According to the statements made by the safety marshals, Silvester was driving on the track with his Opel Astra OPC apparently without having any more control over the car which then stopped between post 178 and 179 (access Schwalbenschwanz). The marshals reported to Race Control that the driver was sitting into the car, motionless. The rescue team, arriving at the site immediately after the report had been received, immediately initiated rescue measures and attempted to resuscitate the 55 years old driver. The attempts were continuously carried on during the transport to the Medical Centre at the circuit where the Chief Medical Officer finally had to testify the death due to an internal medical background.

"

Silvester reportedly lost control of his Opel Astra OPC during Saturday's run, and when personnel at the track approached his car, he was sitting motionless in the seat. 

Attempts were apparently made to revive the two-time champion (2006 and 2010) of the 10-race VLN circuit after he was removed from the car, but he was pronounced dead in the circuit's medical center. 

Sylvester's untimely passing marks the second death for motorsports on Saturday. Fellow driver Allan Simonsen also passed away Saturday after a crash at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. 

Jamie Fretwell of Auto Express commented on Twitter concerning one of the saddest days in motorsports we've seen in quite some time:

The actual cause of death has not yet been confirmed; the AP report does note that the DPA news agency listed it as a heart attack. 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Silvester's family, friends and anyone else affected by the tragic events in Germany on Saturday.