‘Fast & Furious’ Star Paul Walker Killed In Car Crash

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Paul Walker Dies At 40 In Fiery Car Crash

Sat, November 30, 2013 9:58pm EST by Andrew Gruttadaro




So sad. Paul Walker, the star of many hit movies including the ‘Fast and the Furious’ series, died on Nov. 30 after being involved in a single car accident and explosion. He was 40 years old.

Paul Walker, 40, died on Nov. 30 after getting into a fiery car accident in Southern California. The car Paul was in was the only one involved in the crash, though reportedly one other person perished in the accident, according to TMZ.
Paul Walker Dies In Tragic Car Accident

A rep for Paul told HollywoodLife.com, “Sadly, I must confirm that Paul did pass away this afternoon. I don’t have an official statement at this time.” A statement was also posted on Paul’s Facebook page:

It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide. He was a passenger in a friend’s car, in which both lost their lives. We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news. Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time. We will do our best to keep you apprised on where to send condolences. - #TeamPW

The tragic accident reportedly occurred in Santa Clarita, which is north of Los Angeles. Sources claim that the Fast and the Furious star was in a Porsche when the driver somehow lost control of the vehicle. It then slammed into either a post or a tree and then burst into flames.

Paul Walker Interview “Sheriffs deputies are currently investigating a two person accident,” Deputy Heischuber of the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station told HollywoodLife.com exclusively. “Two people were pronounced dead immediately at the scene. The coroner’s office are the ones who will determine the identity.”

Paul had reportedly been taking friends out for test drives in the Porsche GT, and the accident occurred on one such ride.
The Life Of Paul Walker

The actor first gained fame when he starred in the 1999 film Varsity Blues. From there he became a household name, especially when he landed the role he is most known for — as Brian O’Connor in The Fast and the Furious movie series. Other films he starred in include Eight Below, Into the Blue, She’s All That, and Takers.
He is survived by his 15-year-old daughter, Meadow.


This is such a brutal tragedy that has taken an actor who was still in his prime. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family in this difficult time.



‘Fast & Furious’ Star Paul Walker Killed In Car Crash, Deadline Confirms

By THE DEADLINE TEAM | Saturday November 30, 2013 @ 6:58pm PSTTags: Fast & Furious, Paul Walker, R.I.P.

2ND UPDATE: Paul Walker‘s official Twitter and Facebook page confirm the actor died while riding as passenger during a charity event for Reach Out Worldwide: “It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide. He was a passenger in a friend’s car, in which both lost their lives. We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news. Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time. We will do our best to keep you apprised on where to send condolences. – #TeamPW”



UPDATED: Fast & Furious actor Paul Walker has died, his rep team has confirmed. He was 40. TMZ first reported Walker was one of two passengers killed in a car crash in Santa Clarita County, California. The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff department has confirmed to Deadline that a fatal collision occurred Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM on Rye Canyon Loop in Valencia where two victims inside a vehicle engulfed in flames were pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the collision is under investigation. Walker first came to prominence in the Gary Ross film Pleasantville. Then came Varsity Blues and shortly after, 2001′s The Fast And The Furious. Walker starred again in sequel 2 Fast 2 Furious and returned for the franchise’s fourth, fifth, and sixth installments. Filming had begun on Fast & Furious 7 with James Wan directing and Walker reprising his role of the speed-racing Brian O’Conner. Universal has set the sequel to be released July 11, 2014.

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Sun, 01 December 2013 at 12:42 am

Paul Walker Dead - Eyewitnesses Detail Car Crash Scene



Paul Walker tragically died in a fiery car crash on Saturday (November 30) and now some eyewitness reports tell a story about what happened at the scene of the accident.

The 40-year-old actor was in a red Porsche GT that crashed into a pole or tree around 3:30pm in the Rye Canyon Business Park of Santa Clarita, Calif.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Paul Walker

“Him and his buddy, his brother in arms at heart just decided to joyride, take a spin. Something we all do. We’re all car enthusiasts. … We’re all here driving, enjoying each other, and God must’ve needed help,” Antonio Holmes, who said he was a friend of Paul, told the Santa Clarita Valley Signal. “We all heard from our location (the accident). It’s a little difficult to know what it was. Someone called it in and said it was a vehicle fire. We all ran around and jumped in cars and grabbed fire extinguishers and immediately went to the vehicle. It was engulfed in flames.

There was nothing. They were trapped. Employees, friends of the shop. We tried. We tried. We went through fire extinguishers.”

“When we saw Paul and Roger leave, Paul was the passenger in the vehicle. They both were experienced drivers. This was just a tragic accident that happened on a joyride,” another eyewitness said.

The Los Angeles Country Fire Department spokesman said that the vehicle struck a light standard and the whole car was burned. Paul and the driver of the car were unable to get out of the car in time.






Actor Paul Walker dies in red Porshe sports car... by teasertrailer

'Fast & Furious' star Paul Walker killed in car crash

By Alan Duke, CNN
updated 7:04 PM EST, Sun December 1, 2013

Tyrese Gibson (l.) and Walker appear in "2 Fast 2 Furious."
Actor Paul Walker dies

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: Autoweek: The Porsche Carrera GT is a hard car to drive, even for professionals
• Paul Walker's racing team partner was driving the Porsche, CNN affiliate reports
• Official identification of the remains will take days, coroner investigator says
• Speed was a factor, the sheriff's office says

Santa Clarita, California (CNN) -- Actor Paul Walker, who shot to fame as star of the high-octane street racing franchise "Fast & Furious," died in a fiery car crash in Southern California on Saturday. He was 40.

Walker was in the passenger seat of a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, driven by a racing team partner, that slammed into a light pole and burst into flames in an office park in the community of Valencia in Santa Clarita, about 30 miles north of Hollywood.

Walker's publicist Ame van Iden confirmed his death Saturday. The driver, identified by CNN affiliate KCAL-TV as Roger Rodus, also died.

"Thank you all for your condolences and prayers while we mourn the loss of our loved ones," read a message posted on the Facebook page for Always Forever, the high-performance car shop owned by Rodus.

Los Angeles Coroner Investigator Dana Bee told CNN on Sunday it would likely take 48 hours to officially identify the remains taken from the twisted wreckage.

The families are gathering dental records for use in the identification, which is necessary because of the condition of the bodies, Bee said.

Speed was a factor in the crash, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office said. A 45 mph speed limit sign was attached to the light pole knocked down by the Porsche.

The car, which sold for $450,000 when new, is a notoriously difficult vehicle to handle, even for professional drivers, according to Autoweek magazine. A top driver called it "scary," the magazine reported Sunday. It is powered by a V-10, 610-hp engine.


View scene of Walker's deadly car crash


Paul Walker killed in car crash

The wreck took place about 3:30 p.m. just a few hundred yards from the shop owned by Rodus. Both men had attended a holiday toy drive for Walker's charity, Reach Out Worldwide, hosted at the shop Saturday afternoon.

Antonio Holmes told the Santa Clarita Valley Signal newspaper that he was at the charity event when Walker and Rodus left for a ride in the Porsche.

"We all heard from our location," Holmes told the Signal. "It's a little difficult to know what it was. Someone called it in and said it was a vehicle fire. We all ran around and jumped in cars and grabbed fire extinguishers and immediately went to the vehicle. It was engulfed in flames. There was nothing. They were trapped.

Employees, friends of the shop. We tried. We tried. We went through fire extinguishers."

A crowd of grieving fans, curious onlookers and media surrounded the crash site for hours, watching as investigators and firefighters worked to extract the bodies from the wreckage. A memorial of flowers, left by fans, remained on the charred roadside Sunday.

Walker and Rodus had planned Saturday as a day to help survivors of victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The car shop website invited customers to the Charity Toy Drive & Automotive Social Gathering.

"During the holiday season, many economically disadvantaged children from around the world are faced with the same dilemma year after year; the lacking of joy and cheer," the invitation read. "Our goal here is to be able to provide aid to these less fortunate children in hopes of helping them grow up to become confident, responsible and productive young adults."

Walker's charity is described as "a network of professionals with first responder skill-sets who augment local expertise when natural disasters strike in order to accelerate relief efforts."

The website lists Rodus as captain and lead driver of the shop's racing team. Walker is also listed as a team driver.

Hollywood left stunned by Walker's death

Walker's generosity

Tales of the actor's philanthropy are not new. CNN confirmed one story from a decade ago when Walker noticed a young U.S. military veteran shopping with his fiance for a wedding ring in a Santa Barbara jewelry store.

"The groom was just back from duty in Iraq, and he was going to be deployed again soon and wanted to buy a wedding ring, but he said he just could not afford it," saleswoman Irene King told CNN. "I don't think the soldier realized how expensive those rings are, about $10,000."

Although Walker noticed them, the couple apparently did not know who he was, King said.

"Walker called the manager over and said, 'Put that girl's ring on my tab,' " she said. "Walker left all his billing info, and it was a done deal. The couple was stunned. She was thrilled and could not believe someone did this."

King called it "the most generous thing I have ever seen."

Box office success

Walker's career began on the small screen, first with a commercial for Pampers when he was 2, and then with parts in shows such as "Highway to Heaven" and "Touched by an Angel."


Photos: People we lost in 2013

His first few movie roles were as supporting characters in teen flicks, most notably in "Varsity Blues."

His career really took off when he was cast as undercover cop Brian O'Conner infiltrating a street-racing gang in 2001's "The Fast and the Furious."

The box-office success of the surprise summer hit yielded numerous sequels. And along with Vin Diesel, Walker was one of the franchise stalwarts.
At the time of his death, he was working on the seventh film of the franchise, due out next year.

Walker wasn't just a car enthusiast on the silver screen; offscreen, the actor competed in the Redline Time Attack racing series.

On his verified Twitter account, Walker described himself as "outdoorsman, ocean addict, adrenaline junkie ... and I do some acting on the side."

Walker also is the star of "Hours," an independent film scheduled to be released December 13 about a father struggling to keep his newborn infant alive in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Twitter and other social media exploded with reactions to Walker's death.

"Completely numb and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Paul Walker," wrote one.

Hollywood condolences came from Will Smith, Jack Osbourne, DMX and others.

"No, @RealPaulWalker. No. No. No," tweeted actress Alyssa Milano. Walker appeared with her as a guest star in the '80s comedy "Who's the Boss?" "Rest with the angels. You. Sweet boy. #beauty #love #RIP."

Walker is survived by his 15-year-old daughter, Meadow.

People we lost in 2013

'Fast and Furious 7'

Critical Paul Walker Scenes

Were Days From Filming

12/1/2013 11:00 AM PST BY TMZ STAFF

Exclusive


The new "Fast and Furious" movie was scheduled to shoot key scenes with Paul Walker this week -- and on the heels of his death, several members of the cast and crew say they won't be returning to the set anytime soon ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the production tell us most of the actors and crew were supposed to fly to Atlanta this weekend to resume filming on Tuesday ... but they're all expecting a halt in production.

Universal -- the studio behind the movie -- hasn't announced when, or if, they'll start shooting again ... but we're told some of the main stars are too distraught to work anyway.

According to our sources ... most of this week's scenes centered around Paul, so even if Universal were to go forward ... it would need major rewrites.

Ultimately, the biggest hurdle to completing 'FF7' could be the emotions of the actors. As one source put it, "No one wants to even think about the movie. Period."

We contacted Universal for comment ... no word back yet.

'Fast & Furious 7' production will proceed despite Paul Walker's death, report says

By Adi Robertson on December 1, 2013 04:01 pm Email @thedextriarchy 80Comments
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The seventh installment of the Fast & Furious series may not have been entirely derailed by star Paul Walker's sudden death yesterday. Sources have apparently told The Hollywood Reporter that although production has been delayed, Universal executives and director James Wan met this morning to discuss how to proceed with the film while being respectful of Walker's death.

The film was set for a release date of July 11th, but TMZ has reported that Walker was supposed to film several "key scenes" this week, and that other cast members are too distraught to return to the set any time soon. The Hollywood Reporter's sources also say that Walker and others were scheduled to shoot more scenes, though they say that a large part of the film had already been shot.

Wan and others, sources say, will be discussing the prospect of rewrites to help save the film. Some of these, obviously, would involve writing Walker out of missing scenes, but filmmakers will also have to deal with the fact that the circumstance of his death — a car crash — makes the film's subject matter much more sensitive. Even if Fast 7 is recovered, the franchise's future prospects look grim right now.

The series has kept going over six installments because of its increasingly elaborate driving stunts and a core cast of characters including Vin Diesel and Walker himself (who has appeared in all but one movie), and Walker's absence would leave a glaring hole in any attempt at a Fast 8.

[American Patriot]

I've never seen the movies. I also heard that a few weeks or months back there was a hoax about him dying in a car crash... rather ironic, no?

[Malsua]

The first couple movies were pretty good, then they got really silly.

Bummer of a way to go. With luck he died on impact.

[Ryan Ruck]

Those Carerra GTs are a stone cold bitch if not driven with respect. They are very raw cars with lots of power.

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You nailed it Ryan!!!

A CLOSER Look At The Hardcore Porsche Carrera GT, A Road-Going Car That DEMANDS Respect.

Agent00R submitted on 12/2/2013 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 12:41:11 AM
3 user comments | Views : 9,010 | Category: Misc News | Source: www.autospies.com

Tag Links: #paulwalker, #walker, #rogerrodas, #rodas, #porsche, #carreragt, #fastnfurious

In the wake of Saturday's fatal car accident involving an experienced racer and shop owner, Roger Rodas, and Hollywood's well-known Paul Walker, it seems pretty evident that folks are starting to drift towards two entities to blame for the wreck:

1) The driver
2) The car

One things we know for sure at the moment is that there is no conclusive evidence to blame either.

It's all speculation. BUT, if you do some digging, you'll note that there is a trend here.

There are a lot of published accounts of Carrera GTs that have met their demise.

From Lewis Hamilton's father to the fatal accident at Fontana Speedway to Jay Leno spinning a CGT five times over at Talladega to first-hand accounts via Ferrarichat, there is one common thread. You have to treat this Porsche with respect or it will eventually make you sorry.

If you want the best insight into the characteristics of the Carrera GT, the best anecdotal evidence can be found on Ferrarichat.com, a message board where actual owners of CGT's tell of their experience.

In addition, I have embedded some media in form of videos help detail the Carrera GT's fickle character. Also, I have attached Porsche's recent press release regarding the development of all-new tires for the Carrera GT.

Porsche's press release follows:

Atlanta. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, based in Stuttgart, has developed a new tire for the Carrera GT in partnership with tire manufacturer Michelin. The new tire once again noticeably enhances the handling of the 1,270 versions of the super sports car built between 2003 and 2006. The new Michelin Pilot Super Sport tire, which now replaces the current Pilot Sport PS2 tire on the Carrera GT, brings together the findings of ten years' worth of tire development to give drivers of the Carrera GT noticeably improved handling, even faster lap times and a more harmonious driving experience overall.

Drivers will even see benefits in relation to the stability of the Porsche model at its top speed of 330 km/h, as well as its behavior at high lateral acceleration speeds. This is all down to the new structure of the tire, which, of course, features the Porsche specification "N0" on the sidewalls.

The tread compound of the Pilot Super Sport tire, which is manufactured on the same production line as Michelin racing tires, is based on "dual-compound" technology. With this technology, different rubber compounds are used for the inside and outside of the tread. This concept offers maximum grip on bends and highly precise steering behavior. What's more, the belt is made from an especially durable mix of aramid fibers, which are five times lighter than steel but deliver the same tensile strength. In addition, the variable contact area distributes the pressure evenly across the tire, meaning as much of the tread as possible is always in contact with the asphalt under any driving conditions.

The new Carrera GT tires are available now in 265/35 ZR 19 98Y "N0" and 335/30 ZR 20 108Y "N0" dimensions. Alongside optimized performance criteria, these tires offer the cost-effective side-effect of increased mileage: Compared to the previous tire, mileage is up to 10% higher on normal roads, and even as much as 20% higher when the tires are used on tough race tracks. The new tire also improves braking performance, showing that, even after ten years, Porsche is still working just as hard to look after drivers of its older models as it does to look after drivers of its new vehicles.











Porsche Carrera GT in Paul Walker crash had six owners in its cross-country life

Car was listed as a 2005 model that sold new for $450,000


The Porsche Carerra GT that reportedly crashed and burned on Saturday, killing actor Paul Walker and business partner Roger Rodas.

By: Steven Cole Smith on 12/01/2013

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• 2005 Porsche Carrera GT

Always Evolving's Porsche Carerra GT -- recognizable for its unusual red color and black wheels -- is a difficult car to drive for even professionals, with one top driver calling its handling “scary." Those of us at Autoweek who have driven the car will likely concur.

Always Evolving, a car race and tuner store operated by CEO Roger Rodas, a financial consultant who became friends and business partners with actor Paul Walker at a racetrack, acquired the car last spring, and used it often at car shows and in promotional ads. Rodas was driving when the car crashed, killing him and passenger Walker in a California business park Saturday afternoon.

There were fewer than 1,300 of the V-10, 610-hp, midengine cars built from 2004-07, with less than half coming to the U.S. The car that crashed, number 479, was one of 38 cars offered for sale by Always Evolving's store in Sun Valley, Calif.; it was listed as a 2005 model with 3,283 miles. The price is not listed; the car sold new for about $450,000.

It was offered by a dealer in Dallas for $339,000 when it had 1,707 miles, and then the car was listed in the duPont Registry by an exotic car dealer in Pompano Beach, Fla., when it had 2,100 miles. A dealer in Fort Lauderdale listed the car for $359,900, with 3,231 miles on it, and by then it had acquired the black wheels that were on the car when Always Evolving had it. Always Evolving was the next owner.

The car was originally purchased from Beverly Hills Porsche in California, in March of 2005. When the second owner in California bought the car in 2007, it had only 456 miles on it, and when it was sold to owner three in Texas in January, 2009, mileage was 1,510. When it was offered for sale in October, 2011, it had gained only 200 miles. The car went to Florida, then Indiana, then back to Florida, then Always Evolving apparently acquired the car last spring, where the license plate, California number 7CCY590, was mounted inside an Always Evolving black frame.

Sadly, you know the rest of the car's history.


Paul Walker getting into the the Porsche Carerra GT that was involved in a deadly crash on Saturday.

Get more car news, reviews and opinion every day: Sign up to have the Autoweek Daily Drive delivered right to your inbox.

Paul Walker dead: Fatal Porsche supercar described as "brutal and savage" by Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson

1 Dec 2013 14:12 Clarkson said that drivers were on a "knife edge" handling the 612 bhp Porsche Carrera GT, which has a top speed of 205mph

The supercar that Hollywood film star Paul Walker died in has been described by Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson as "brutal and savage".

Clarkson said drivers were on a "knife edge" handling the 612 bhp Porsche Carrera GT, which has a top speed of 205mph.

He said if you "make a mistake - it bites your head off".

There is no suggestion anyone was to blame for the crash which happened when the car hit a tree and before bursting into flames in Los Angeles.

Clarkson road-tested the German car in August 2008 and described it as one of "the fastest and most exciting cars I've ever driven".

He said: "This is the most exciting, the best looking, the most expensive and the fastest road-going Porsche ever made.

"I've never felt anything like this before.

Wreckage: Walker was a passenger in the fatal crash

"It's 5.7 litre V10 engine - originally designed for racing but now it's in a road car and the effect is absolutely mind-blowing

"You need to be awake to drive this fast. It really isn't an easy car to control.

"The clutch is brutal, the power is savage and the handling....you really are on a knife edge. But if you put in the effort boy, oh boy do you get the rewards.

"It is a phenomena - mind blowingly good. Make a mistake - it bites your head off."

Tragic actor Walker was pictured with the car - which goes from 0-60mph in a staggering 3.9 seconds - just hours before the shocking crash.

Walker was in the passenger seat of a friend's red Porsche GT on his way to a charity event when the driver lost control.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's department confirmed when officers arrived at the scene, they found the vehicle had gone up in flames and two people were pronounced dead.

A statement on Paul's Facebook page said: "It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide.

"He was a passenger in a friend's car, in which both lost their lives. We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news."Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time."

The actor - who is survived by his 15-year-old daughter - made his name in the Fast & Furious film series, appearing in five of the six movies to date.

The seventh movie in the serious began filming in September and is currently in post-production.

Universal Pictures - who distribute the series - said: "Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the 'Fast and Furious' films, and to countless fans.

"We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul's family."

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Paul Walker: 1973-2013

Porsche Paul Walker Died in what a Pro Called "Scary" to Drive

December 1, 2013 at 2:32PM
by Laura Beck


Details are emerging about the Porsche Carrera GT that 40-year-old actor Paul Walker was riding in and when he died on Saturday afternoon. Driven by his friend and business partner Roger Rodas, who also passed away in the crash, the car has a somewhat troubling past.

The car was originally purchased from Beverly Hills Porsche in California, in March of 2005. When the second owner in California bought the car in 2007, it had only 456 miles on it, and when it was sold to owner three in Texas in January, 2009, mileage was 1,510. When it was offered for sale in October, 2011, it had gained only 200 miles. The car went to Florida, then Indiana, then back to Florida, then Always Evolving (Rodas' car race and tuner store) apparently acquired the car last spring, where the license plate, California number 7CCY590, was mounted inside an Always Evolving black frame.

The 2005 car had six owners before Always Evolving purchased it for $359,000 last spring.

A professional driver told Autoweek that the Porsche Carrera GT was "scary" to drive even for pros, and the magazine agreed saying, "those of us at Autoweek who have driven the car will likely concur."






Previous owner of car in Paul Walker crash was IndyCar driver Graham Rahal

Rahal was the fifth of sixth owners of the Porsche Carrera GT owned by driver Roger Rodas

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The Carrera GT owned by Roger Rodas that was reportedly the car that crashed into a tree, killing Rodas and actor Paul Walker. This is a picture of the car from Graham Rahal's Facebook page.


By: Steven Cole Smith on 12/01/2013

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• 'Fast & Furious' star Paul Walker dead at 40

The fifth owner of the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT in which "Fast and the Furious" actor Paul Walker and the car's owner and driver, Roger Rodas, were killed was IndyCar driver and avid car collector Graham Rahal.

The car had six different owners since it was new.

Rodas' Always Evolving car shop was the sixth owner. The fifth owner appears to have been Rahal, who fit the car with the distinctive black alloy wheels -- replacing the stock silver wheels -- that made the car so recognizable at Southern California car events.

Rahal bought the car in Florida, and another Florida dealer apparently sold it to Rodas and his company. Rahal traded the car in for a Ferrari, and it was a Ferrari dealer who sold the Carrerra to Rodas.

Rahal had the Carrera GT for a year.

"I get bored with cars pretty quickly," he said in a story published earlier this year. "The Carrera GT is just harder to drive, and I drive my cars a lot. Nothing that I have will not be used. Every car that I have will be driven a lot. I have two cars that are old that don't get used that often, but that is rare."

Rahal compared the Carrera GT to a 2010 Ferrari 599 GTO. Some of his observations and his descriptions of how difficult the Carrera was to drive are chilling in light of the crash.

"It says it has traction control, but that traction control on that car is not going to do a thing to save you," Rahal said. "And that's what I love about it. Part of me is very happy about it and part of me regrets it. It was a great, great car.

"With the GTO, the noise, the shifts, the fact that it's still evolving, with the dual-clutch gearboxes these days, you don't even feel it shift. I'm not really a fan of that," he says. "I like to feel that you're interacting with the car. This [GTO] still has the old style, so you can feel it shift. That's what I personally enjoy about it, whereas a lot of the new cars you can't feel it at all. To me it becomes more like you're driving a computer than driving a car.

"The carbon clutch, things like that are a challenge, whereas the 599 you hop in, off you go. It's pretty simple," he said. "But if I was insanely wealthy and could have 10 supercars, a Carrera GT would be one. I would have to be somewhat of a garage queen, because long-term, I think that is a fantastic investment. I think that the Porsche collectors would agree."


Graham Rahal



A cover picture promoting the Always Evolving car shop includes a Porsche Carrera GT, right.




Paul Walker, How He Ended Up in Death Car

12/1/2013 4:00 PM PST BY TMZ STAFF

Exclusive



Paul Walker may not have ever gotten into the car that took him to his death if it hadn't been acting up moments before the crash ... TMZ has learned.

Paul showed up Saturday for a fundraiser at Always Evolving -- Roger Rodas' high end auto shop that specializes in exotic cars. Paul had a stake in the shop.

Sources connected to Roger tell TMZ when Paul arrived ... Roger was watching one of his employees try in vain to back the Carrera GT into the shop, but it kept stalling. Roger decided to take matters into his own hands ... told the worker to get out and took the wheel himself.

As Roger began to back into the garage ... Paul came up and said he hadn't driven in the Porsche yet -- so he jumped in the passenger seat and they took a 20 minute drive.



The fatal accident happened on the way back from that drive -- just 500 yards from the shop.

Paul's best friend from childhood, Nute, grabbed a fire extinguisher and was among the first to arrive on scene. We're told Nute frantically tried to extinguish the flames ... even though it appeared to him both men were already dead.

When the fire dept arrived they tried to pull Nute away, but he was overwrought and punched a firefighter. We're told Sheriff's deputies put Nute -- and several other of Paul and Roger's friends -- in custody, but let them go when they realized the circumstances.



Paul Walker dead at 40: Police investigating if possible street race led to fiery crash: report

Police are said to be looking for witnesses and possible video evidence that another car was involved in a street race with the ‘Fast’ actor’s car.

By Chiderah Monde / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Published: Monday, December 2, 2013, 11:01 AM

Updated: Monday, December 2, 2013, 12:03 PM

Print Share This URL:

EMILIO NARANJO/EPA

Authorities are investigating whether Walker’s car crash happened as the actor was involved in a street race.

The crash that killed "Fast & Furious" star Paul Walker may have had a lot more parallels to his film franchise than initially believed.

Authorities are reportedly investigating whether Walker, 40, and his friend Roger Rodas — the former racecar driver behind the wheel of the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT when it crashed — were in the middle of a high speed competition with another car on Saturday afternoon, according to TMZ.


Carparazzis via Facebook

Walker (L) and his financial partner, Roger Rodas, had apparently been racing together for years. Rodas was reportedly driving at the time of the fatal crash.

RELATED: PAUL WALKER DEAD AT 40: ACTOR POSED WITH PORSCHE JUST BEFORE WRECK
It was suspected that speed contributed to the cause of the fiery crash, but a law enforcement source told TMZ that investigators received a tip about a possible race.


Walker poses beside his friend Rodas' Porsche Carrera GT before getting into it. The photo was reportedly taken 30 minutes before the crash that killed them.

The Santa Clarita, Calif., street where the accident occurred is apparently known to be a popular spot for the law-breaking hobby, the gossip site reports.
PHOTOS: STARS GONE TOO SOON

Splash News

The red Porsche exploded in flames after hitting a tree on Saturday, ‘badly’ burning ‘Fast and the Furious’ star Walker.


Police are looking for witnesses and any video evidence that another car was involved.

There were also reports that the Porsche may have malfunctioned shortly before the crash.

Sources connected to Walker and Rodas’ high-end car shop, Always Evolving, told the gossip site that there could have been a fluid leak in the vehicle.

Jaimie Trueblood/AP

Walker’s hit film franchise ‘Fast & Furious’ centers around the illegal world of street racing.

RELATED: PAUL WALKER DEAD AT 40: TYRESE GIBSON BREAKS DOWN AT MEMORIAL SITE

There was a “noticeable absence of skid marks” and no visible “swerving” leading up to the crash site, the auto source told TMZ, suggesting Rodas did not lose control of the car.


Eamonn McCormack/WireImage

Walker was 40 years old. The actor’s autopsy has reportedly been delayed as the coroner’s office awaits dental records.

The fire also reportedly spread from “the front of the car,” the insider said, apparently reinforcing the theory of a fluid leak.

PHOTOS: PAUL WALKER DEAD AT 40: A LOOK BACK AT HIS LIFE AND CAREER

Walker and Rodas died at the scene, police confirmed, and were reportedly burned "badly" after the car exploded into flames.

An autopsy on the actor's body has been delayed, a rep for the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office said, until dental records for both men are obtained to identify the "unidentifiable" bodies.

RELATED: PAUL WALKER DEAD AT 40: ACTOR’S AUTOPSY DELAYED

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Paul Walker dead at 40: Tyrese Gibson joins fans at memorial, breaks down in tearful tribute

The ‘Fast & Furious’ actor shares several of his last moments with Walker on Instagram and Facebook.

By Chiderah Monde / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Monday, December 2, 2013, 7:32 AM

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ALMA/AKM-GSI

Tyrese Gibson, ‘Fast & Furious’ costar and friend to Paul Walker, breaks down in tears during his emotional visit to the site of the tragic car accident in Santa Clarita, Calif.

"Fast & Furious" actor Tyrese Gibson joined several fans for a tearful memorial at the crash site where his co-star Paul Walker was killed.

Gibson, 34, was photographed crying with a flower in hand during his emotional visit to the Santa Clarita, Calif., road where Walker, 40, and his business partner Roger Rodas died in a fiery car crash Saturday.


ALMA/AKM-GSI

Gibson laid a flower at the site where Walker died in a fiery car crash on Saturday.

RELATED: PAUL WALKER DEAD AT 40 AFTER FIERY CRASH

Rodas, 38, was driving a red 2005 Porsche Carrera GT with the actor after attending a charity event for their foundation, Reach Out Worldwide, when the vehicle flew off the road and hit a tree. Authorities believe speed was a factor.


ALMA/AKM-GSI

The actor was visibly emotional as he stood with fans at the crash site. ‘At least I got to say I love you,’ Gibson wrote in a Facebook message later.

The blond, blue-eyed movie star and his companion were said to be burned "beyond recognition," and a coroner will reportedly delay autopsies until identification is made using dental records, a rep from the Los Angeles County coroner's office told TMZ.

PHOTOS: STARS GONE TOO SOON


ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Fans pay their respects with a make-shift tribute at the site of the car accident in which actor Paul Walker and Roger Rodas were killed.

By Sunday the wreckage from the crash was cleared away and replaced by a make-shift memorial of flowers and candles.

Gibson, along with several of Walker's other "Fast" costars, shared messages of his heartbreak on social media.


Chris Polk/FilmMagic

Gibson and Walker starred in four of the seven ‘Fast’ films together.

RELATED: PAUL WALKER DEAD AT 40: 'FAST AND FURIOUS' FUTURE IN LIMBO

"I will keep your energy with me forever," Gibson wrote in a Facebook message, sharing a photo of a piece of the car wreckage he picked up.

Dan Watson/AP

Walker and Rodas were ‘burned beyond recognition’ in the fiery explosion after the 2005 Porsche Carerra GT they were riding in flew off the road and hit a tree on Saturday.


"Fast family around the world we love you … Paul is the heartbeat of this franchise and were gonna see to it that his energy and presence lives on forever #myhearthurtssobad."

PHOTOS: PAUL WALKER DEAD AT 40: A LOOK BACK AT HIS LIFE AND CAREER


Tyrese Gibson/via Instagram

Tyrese Gibson posted this picture on his Facebook that shows him holding a piece of the wreckage from the site. ‘I will keep your energy with me forever,’ he wrote.

"At least I got to say I love you," Gibson added, sharing a text message exchange between him and Walker from Thanksgiving.

"Our laughs and moments will live forever."


Tyrese Gibson/via Instagram

‘Our last exchange.’ Tyrese Gibson posted this picture on his Facebook that shows his last conversation with Paul Walker.

RELATED: PAUL WALKER DEAD AT 40: GIRLFRIEND IS BROKEN UP OVER MOVIE STAR'S DEATH: REPORT

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[American Patriot]

You know... I'm sorry the guy died and he was part of the "franchise" but all this nonsense and making a big assed deal out of a dead guy with Fast and Furious.....

What happened to:

Brian Terry and the Obama Fast and Furious scandal?

HUH?

WTF is wrong with Americans?

[Malsua]

I'd be willing to bet 25 million people would know who Paul Walker is if you said "The guy from the first F&F movie".

You'd be hard pressed to have 100,000 people who know of Brian Terry. Maybe a few more if you said "The guy killed by Eric Holder's gun walking scandal".

[American Patriot]

Mal, I had no IDEA who he was or what the movies "Fast and Furious" were.