Da Matta hospitalized after colliding with deer
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ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin (AP) - Champ Car driver Cristiano da Matta was airlifted to a hospital after his race car collided with a deer that wandered onto the track during a test session at Road America on Thursday.
Da Matta was airlifted to Theda Clark Memorial Hospital in Neenah. Champ Car series spokesman Steve Shunck said da Matta was unconscious when he was airlifted.
The 32-year-old Brazilian is the 2002 series champion and has 12 career victories. He is sixth in the series points standings this season.
Da Matta left Champ Car after winning the championship and drove for the Toyota Formula One team in 2003 and 2004.
Da Matta was airlifted to Theda Clark Memorial Hospital in Neenah. Champ Car series spokesman Steve Shunck said da Matta was unconscious when he was airlifted.
The 32-year-old Brazilian is the 2002 series champion and has 12 career victories. He is sixth in the series points standings this season.
Da Matta left Champ Car after winning the championship and drove for the Toyota Formula One team in 2003 and 2004.
in ell(k)I don't actually think it is really a laughing matter. It looks pretty touch and go for him at the moment.De Matta
Cristiano da Matta suffered severe head injuries Thursday after striking a deer during Champ Car testing at Elkhart Lake, Wis.
The 32-year-old Brazilian was airlifted to Theda Clark Medical Center hospital where he underwent surgery Thursday night. His condition was critical.
“After arriving at Theda Clark Medical Center, a head CT scan showed Cristiano had suffered a subdural hematoma," stated Dr. Chris Pinderski, Champ Car Director of Medical Affairs. "He was urgently taken to the operating room for surgical removal of the hematoma and is now being observed in the intensive care unit.”
The next 24 hours will be crucial for the 2002 CART champion as doctors try to reduce the swelling in his brain.
According to an eyewitness, da Matta was heading for Turn 6 at Road America when the deer ran out in front of him and struck the right front of his RuSPORT Lola. The deer caromed into the cockpit as da Matta smashed into the tire barrier with his foot still planted on the throttle.
Safety crews extracted him on a backboard and applied an oxygen mask as he was taken to a helicopter.
In the wake of the crash, RuSPORT announced that Justin Wilson and the No. 9 team will not participate in the final day of Champ Car testing at Road America.
Known as "Shorty," the good-natured veteran was coming off his first podium of the season, a second place last Sunday at San Jose.
Cristiano da Matta suffered severe head injuries Thursday after striking a deer during Champ Car testing at Elkhart Lake, Wis.
The 32-year-old Brazilian was airlifted to Theda Clark Medical Center hospital where he underwent surgery Thursday night. His condition was critical.
“After arriving at Theda Clark Medical Center, a head CT scan showed Cristiano had suffered a subdural hematoma," stated Dr. Chris Pinderski, Champ Car Director of Medical Affairs. "He was urgently taken to the operating room for surgical removal of the hematoma and is now being observed in the intensive care unit.”
The next 24 hours will be crucial for the 2002 CART champion as doctors try to reduce the swelling in his brain.
According to an eyewitness, da Matta was heading for Turn 6 at Road America when the deer ran out in front of him and struck the right front of his RuSPORT Lola. The deer caromed into the cockpit as da Matta smashed into the tire barrier with his foot still planted on the throttle.
Safety crews extracted him on a backboard and applied an oxygen mask as he was taken to a helicopter.
In the wake of the crash, RuSPORT announced that Justin Wilson and the No. 9 team will not participate in the final day of Champ Car testing at Road America.
Known as "Shorty," the good-natured veteran was coming off his first podium of the season, a second place last Sunday at San Jose.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motor
Not much more info than is on here to be honest.
My prayers are with him.
Not much more info than is on here to be honest.
My prayers are with him.
hansgerd said:
Such an incident is unlikely to happen in Europe as all circuits are fenced up.
I've seen all sorts of wildlife on tracks. There's no such thing as a 100% secure circuit.
Best wishes to him for a full recovery. I'm sure most drivers accept racing accidents as an occupational hazard but something as random as this is always a shock.
hansgerd said:
Such an incident is unlikely to happen in Europe as all circuits are fenced up. There is a reason for the fences. I wish Da Matta all the best, I very much hope he recovers fully and quickly.
I'd have to disagree there, Most circuits only have catch fencing at points of high speed/risk, Silverstone is famous for it's hares, and you should see the size of the Crows we get at Combe!
Hope he recovers fully, but I guess they put it down anyway!
Seriously, I wish De matta all the best, he was one of the better drivers in Camp car (and also ex f1 driver)
LOVELAND, Colo., Aug. 4, 2006, 3:20 pm EDT - Champ Car World Series driver Cristiano da Matta (#10 RuSPORT Ford-Cosworth / Lola / Bridgestone) is continuing to recover at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, Wisc. Da Matta collided with a deer that had run onto the track near Turn Six at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., yesterday afternoon.
Dr. Chris Pinderski, Champ Car director of Medical Affairs, released the following statement from the hospital: "Cristiano da Matta continues to recover from a serious head injury sustained yesterday during Champ Car Open Testing at Road America. He remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Theda Clark Memorial Hospital in Neenah, Wisconsin and is under close observation by the attending neurosurgeons."
Updates concerning da Matta's condition will be released when they become available.
RuSPORT has also announced that it has withdrawn the No. 10 RuSPORT Champ Car from competition in the Grand Prix of Denver, which will take place on Sunday, Aug. 13. Da Matta's teammate, Justin Wilson (#9 CDW / RuSPORT Ford-Cosworth / Lola / Bridgestone) will compete in the Grand Prix of Denver as scheduled.
In response to numerous inquiries made by da Matta's friends and fans, RuSPORT has also announced that, in lieu of sending flowers and gifts, anyone wishing to express their support for da Matta during his recovery is asked to please make a donation in his name to Hole in the Wall Camps, an official charity of the Champ Car World Series. Donation information can be found by visiting www.holeinthewallcamps.org, or by calling 203-562-1203.
Dr. Chris Pinderski, Champ Car director of Medical Affairs, released the following statement from the hospital: "Cristiano da Matta continues to recover from a serious head injury sustained yesterday during Champ Car Open Testing at Road America. He remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Theda Clark Memorial Hospital in Neenah, Wisconsin and is under close observation by the attending neurosurgeons."
Updates concerning da Matta's condition will be released when they become available.
RuSPORT has also announced that it has withdrawn the No. 10 RuSPORT Champ Car from competition in the Grand Prix of Denver, which will take place on Sunday, Aug. 13. Da Matta's teammate, Justin Wilson (#9 CDW / RuSPORT Ford-Cosworth / Lola / Bridgestone) will compete in the Grand Prix of Denver as scheduled.
In response to numerous inquiries made by da Matta's friends and fans, RuSPORT has also announced that, in lieu of sending flowers and gifts, anyone wishing to express their support for da Matta during his recovery is asked to please make a donation in his name to Hole in the Wall Camps, an official charity of the Champ Car World Series. Donation information can be found by visiting www.holeinthewallcamps.org, or by calling 203-562-1203.
killer2005 said:
monkeyhanger said:
hansgerd said:
Such an incident is unlikely to happen in Europe as all circuits are fenced up.
I've seen all sorts of wildlife on tracks. There's no such thing as a 100% secure circuit.
Seen plenty of Kangaroos get hit in V8 Supercars in Austrailia
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