Enge seriously injured in ALMS race.

[cosworth151]

Former Minardi F1 driver Tomas Enge is in stable condition at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla. following a serious accident on lap 87 of the Sports Car Challenge at St. Petersburg. Enge suffered serious trama, the extent of which is not known at this time, but was awake and alert during the rescue process. Despite a fire that erupted after the car made hard contact with the outside wall in Turn Four of the 14-turn, 1.8-mile street course, he sustained no burns. He will undergo further tests and reviews over the course of the night.

The exact cause of the accident is under review but mechanical failure is not believed to be a factor. Enge, who started from the class pole, was leading at the time of the incident. The No. 31 MMPIE/PAWS/Petersen Holdings/Michelin Ferrari F430 GT, sustained heavy driver-side damage, both front and rear. The car also suffered substantial fire damage on the right side. Minor damage was found on passenger-side, front fender as well.

I was watching the race on TV. The track at St. Petersburg is a mixed street/airport circuit with the usual concrete k-rail barriers. The car didn't appear to turn at all and went almost straight into the wall.

[cosworth151]

Less than 18 hours after a violent accident in the Sports Car Challenge at St. Petersburg American Le Mans Series race, Tomas Enge is awake, alert and resting at the Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla. Following overnight evaluation, X-Rays and CT scans of the Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing driver, it has been determined that he has suffered a severely shattered elbow, cracked ribs, a partially collapsed lung and a potentially broken ankle. All the serious injuries were to his left side. Despite being extremely sore and bruised from the accident, Enge is talkative with medical and team personnel and is his lighthearted and humorous self.

X-Rays of Enge's elbow and ankle will be reviewed today by renowned orthopedic surgeon Terry Trammell. Once his recommendations are made, it is anticipated that Enge will be transported to Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital where Trammell's practice is located. Because of the partially collapsed lung, as well as soreness, Enge will not be transported to Indianapolis until Monday at the earliest. The date of Enge's surgery, its duration and magnitude, as well as his projected recuperation time have not been determined at this time.

It reminded me of the first time I saw him in person. He was driving for Prost at the 2001 USGP. He ran straight off Turn 8 at the end of the Hulman Straight. fortunatly, the run-off area there is huge. It is the access road to the garages for the undercard races.

Electronic well wishes for Enge are welcome and can be sent to Tom@PetersenMotorsports.com and will be forwarded to Enge.

  Cosworth

[Dare]

Cosworth,thanks for the update,I looked aroumd web but
couldn/t find out much

You heard any updates on the IRL driver hurt last week at
Homestead.Watched the St. Petersburg race on the
internet today on the IRL site

[cosworth151]

I think you're talking about Pablo Perez, who drives in the Indy Pro Series. It's a developmental series for the IRL, sort of like GP2 is for F1. He was airlifted to a Miami hospital last Saturday because of serious leg injuries after a crash ended the season-opening Indy Pro Series race 10 laps early at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Perez, driving his first race for Target Chip Ganassi Racing, was in stable condition, awake and alert at Jackson Memorial Hospital, according to IRL and track officials.

Perez is listed in stable condition at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his lower legs March 28, according to Dr. Michael Olinger, director of medical services for the Indy Racing League.

Perez is under the care of Dr. Kevin Scheid, the Indy Racing League's orthopedic consultant, in conjunction with Methodist Hospital's trauma team. He is scheduled for additional reconstructive procedures before beginning an extensive rehabilitation program, though no specific timetable has identified at this time.

Sean Guthrie, son of car owner and former Indy driver Jim Guthrie, had a Get Well Soon message on the side of his Indy Pro car for the St. Petersburg event.

[Dare]

Forgot that was Indy Pro Series.That's the one
actor Jason Priestly got seriously hurt trying
to be a race driver

Whatta you think of Milko Duno,lady driver from
Venezuela who's backed bt Citco.From what I read
she has far more money than driving skills.

[davewilson]

dare,came across her web site the other day
http://www.milkaduno.com/races.html
If it helps
The Stig

[Dare]

Just for Stig's eyes

Milka

[davewilson]

I would not have recognised her without the helmet.
Very nice pair dare......of photographs.
Thanks
The Stig

[Wizzo]

I didn't look

[Ian]

Who needs airbags. 

[Wizzo]

Ian, you looked!! Shame on you! 

[cosworth151]

And you all thought that Eau Rouge was the best curve in open wheel racing.

[Dare]

Not to sure how America's gonna take to her
with her Citco backing

[cosworth151]

There is good news about Enge. Dale White, Petersen Motorsports/ White Lightning Racing Team Manager/Entrant: "Tomas is back to himself 100% today. That is really good to see. You always hope for the best and try to fight thinking the worse in situations like this. But, even last night, he was the same-old Tomas so all the fears of the worse are gone. Scott Atherton, the American Le Mans Series and the staff here at Bayfront have been tremendous and we want to thank them. We are working on all the details of what comes next in his treatment and recuperation and we will let everyone know the details as soon as we can. On behalf of the Tomas and the team I want to thank everyone for the incredible outpouring of support. There is no way we can express our gratitude."

The shunt is now up on YouTube:

He did hit that wall a ton. It seems like there should be some way to adapt SAFER barrier tech to a street circuit.

[cosworth151]

The latest on Tomas Enge: He will undergo surgery to repair his broken left elbow on Friday, April 6. The Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing driver, who was injured in an accident while leading the GT2 class at the Sports Car Challenge at St. Petersburg American Le Mans Series race, will travel from Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla. to Indianapolis, Ind. for the surgery. Due to a partially collapsed lung, Enge cannot be transported by air. Therefore, the four-time American Le Mans Series race winner will travel in team owner Michael Petersen's motorhome to Indianapolis.

Following the 24 hour drive from Florida to Indiana, Enge is scheduled to arrive in Indianapolis on Thursday, April 5. He will then be admitted to Methodist Hospital and will have his first face-to-face visit with Dr. Terry Trammell. Trammell, the renowned orthopedic surgeon who has helped scores of professional race drivers return to the cockpit after serious injury, has reviewed Enge's X-Rays and is preparing for the surgery. Once the surgical procedures have been completed, Enge will remain in Indianapolis for rehabilitation.

Despite what is, at times, overpowering soreness from the impact, Enge's spirits and attitude remain high. He is excited about moving on to the next level of his rehabilitation and ultimate homecoming with the Dale White-managed team. He will return to the No. 31 MMPIE/PAWS/Petersen Holdings/Michelin Ferrari F430 GT upon the clearance of Dr. Trammell.