Danish driver Allan Simonsen died following a crash at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Saturday in the first driver fatality at the high-speed endurance event since 1997. Race organizers said the 34-year-old Simonsen was taken to the hospital after his Aston Martin No. 95 crashed about 10 minutes after the start of the race. The car spun at high speed and skidded into the barrier at the Tertre Rouge corner where speeds reach up to 170 kph (105 mph). The violence of the impact showed as a tire from Simonsens car rolled on the track while a door hung open. Simonsen died at the hospital soon after arrival "due to his injuries," organizers said. "Tragically, and despite the best efforts of the emergency services in attendance, Allans injuries proved fatal," Aston Martin Racing said in a statement on its website. Sebastien Enjolras lost his life in pre-qualifying in 1997. The last driver fatality in the 24-hour race itself was Jo Gartner in 1986. The worst crash in Le Mans history occurred in 1955 when Pierre Leveghs Mercedes flew into the crowd, killing more than 80 spectators. Aston Martin, which has five Vantage V8 cars in the GTE-Pro and GTE-Am classes, will continue in the race "at the specific request" of Simonsens family and in tribute to the driver. "I would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the individuals, and families whose friends or loved ones were involved in todays terrible tragedy," Aston Martin Racing managing director John Gaw said. The safety car came out after the crash and the race was held up for nearly an hour to repair the guard rail. Simonsen was participating for the seventh time at the endurance race, which is won by the team that completes the most laps in 24 hours with up to three drivers alternating. He finished second in the GT2 class at Le Mans three years ago. He clocked the fastest time in qualifying on Thursday in the GTE-Am class. Jean Todt, the FIA president, and Pierre Fillon, president of Le Mans organizer the Automobile Club de lOuest, paid tribute to Simonsen. "Allan was an extremely talented and experienced sports car driver who had raced in every corner of the world and was highly respected by his peers and his team," they said in a joint statement. "For many in endurance racing, Allan was above all a good friend who displayed his passion for racing on and off the track. His loss will be felt by the FIA, the ACO and the greater motorsport family." Simonsen and Danish co-drivers Kristian Poulsen and Christoffer Nygaard were leading the GTE-Am class in the world endurance championship after topping their category at Silverstone in April and finishing second in Spa-Francorchamps last month. Audi held the top three spots after the sixth hour, followed by two Toyotas. IndyCar series leader Helio Castroneves tweeted: "Very sad to know about the fatal accident of Allan Simonsen on Le Mans today. Praying for him and (his) family." Tony Kanaan, another IndayCar driver, tweeted: "Such a tragic news on the passing of (at)AllanSimonsen. Sad day in motorsports again. Thoughts and prayers are with his family." There was second driver death on Saturday, in Germany. Two-time champion Wolf Silvester died because of "health problems" during the German VLN Endurance Racing Championship, race organizers said. Safety marshalls said Silvester, 55, apparently lost control of his Opel Astra OPC, and when they approached the stopped car on the track they found him sitting motionless in the seat. The dpa news agency reported that Silvester had a heart attack. Cheap Custom Grizzlies Jersey . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. Authentic Custom Grizzlies Jersey . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. http://www.customgrizzliesjersey.com/ . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Custom Grizzlies Jerseys .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. Allen Iverson Jersey Large . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. MIAMI -- Giancarlo Stantons season is not over. Neither is the Miami Marlins slide.Stanton made a surprise return to the lineup, Ichiro Suzuki hit the first pinch-hit home run of his legendary career, and Justin Bour got on the field for the first time in two months.All that still wasnt enough, as the Marlins fell to the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 on Tuesday night -- dropping to 1-10 in their last 11 games.Stanton, the reigning Home Run Derby champion, was reinstated from the disabled list about an hour before the game -- 24 days after his season was thought to be over because of a badly strained groin. Marlins manager Don Mattingly said all that Stanton will be able to do for now is pinch-hit, but for a team that is freefalling out of the NL wild-card race any help would be welcomed.And Stanton delivered, getting a sharp pinch-hit single in the fifth before being removed for a pinch-runner.Thats what he knows he can do right now, Mattingly said. Were not talking about him going to be in right field three days from now. Thats not going to happen, but I do expect that to happen at some point.Ichiros home run in the eighth made it 4-3, and Jeff Francoeurs try for what would have been a go-ahead two-run homer later that inning sailed just foul in the left-field corner.One pitch later, Francoeur nearly knocked down third-base coach Lenny Harris with another foul ball. Harris stayed on the grass for a few seconds for comic relief, but in the end there was again nothing for Miami to laugh about as the teams fledgling playoff hopes took another hit.Stanton took part in a simulated game Tuesday, did some baserunning and shagged fly balls. After all that came one final check-up with doctors -- the Marlins almost foreshadowed what was happening by tweeting out a photo of the chiseled Stanton with the words Not Human -- and then the announcement of the roster move.This is something that could givve us a little bit of a bump, hopefully, Mattingly said.ddddddddddddStanton hurt his left groin trying to stretch a single into a double in what became the final out of an 8-7 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 13. The Marlins originally thought the severity of the injury meant Stanton would need six weeks to recover.Phillies starter Adam Morgan (2-9) snapped his major league-worst streak of nine consecutive losses, and Odubel Herrera scored three runs for Philadelphia. Jeanmar Gomez pitched the ninth for his 35th save in 39 chances.Morgan (2-9) allowed five hits and one run in six innings. He hadnt won since May 10, going 0-9 with a 6.72 ERA in his last 15 appearances, 13 of those starts.Tommy Joseph and Freddy Galvis each drove in two runs for the Phillies. Jose Urena (3-6) gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings for Miami, which is 11-23 since Aug. 1.I was trying to stay down in the zone, Urena said. And I did, but they found holes.Bour returned from the 60-day DL after missing two months with an ankle injury.Also Tuesday, the Marlins recalled left-handers Justin Nicolino and Hunter Cervenka from Triple-A New Orleans, and outfielder Yefri Perez from Double-A Jacksonville. Right-hander Kendry Flores was designated for assignment.OLYMPIC VIBEAshleigh Johnson -- a Miami native who was the goalie for the gold-medal-winning U.S. womens water polo team at last months Rio de Janeiro Olympics -- threw out the ceremonial first pitch.TRAINERS ROOMThe Marlins had LHP Wei-Yin Chen (elbow) and RHP Bryan Morris (back surgery) throw simulated games Tuesday.UP NEXTThe series ends with Phillies RHP Jeremy Hellickson (10-8, 3.88) going up against Marlins RHP Andrew Cashner (4-11, 5.00). Hellickson is 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA in four starts against Miami this season. ' ' '