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[V8SC] Car #15 in bad shape - UPDATE 2
by Sean Henshelwood
(Archived)
Car #15 in bad shape after morning warmup incident - UPDATE 2
Mount Panorama, Bathurst
October 11, 2008
Former world touring car champion Paul Radisich suffered what appears to be a throttle failure on top of Mount Panorama this morning, bringing the V8 Supercar warmup to an immediate stop as officials attended to the popular New Zealander.
From trackside footage it appeared that Radisich was unable to stop the #15 HSV Dealer Team car coming across McPhillamy Park, striking the outside wall at unabated speed before running across the Skyline gravel trap and hard into the outside retaining wall.
Officials were immediately on the scene calling for medical support, in-car footage showing Radisich in some pain, possibly as a result of his heavy impact at Bathurst just two years prior. Once extracted, Radisich was taken to the trackside medical centre for observation.
Whilst Radisich's well-being was the immediate thought for his team and that of team-mate Rick Kelly, the incident will also provide the team with what might be an impossible task in repairing the car for tomorrow's Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. The entire right side of the car has been torn from the chassis, with the right front wheel ripped off on impact with the retaining wall.
More details as they come to hand..
Radisich suffers broken ankle
An official release has just been provided to the media at Bathurst confirming that Paul Radisich has suffered a broken right ankle as a result of his heavy contact with the Skyline wall in this morning's practice session.
He suffered what was termed a 'severely fractured right ankle' but medical staff claimed that he was otherwise okay.
As yet it is unknown whether the HSV Dealer Team will be able to repair the car in time for tomorrow's race, or what can be done to replace Radisich as driver, although with the retirement of the Team Kiwi Falcon and the PWR entry of Andrew Thompson and Paul Weel yesterday, there are a couple of possibilities.
Meanwhile, Paul Weel has been given the all-clear after yesterday's nasty crash at the top of the mountain, although he will remain in hospital under observation for a few days, after suffering some bruising and a broken rib - his car however not quite so lucky and is likely to be replaced by the team's spare for the final rounds of this year's series.
HSVDT withdaws car #15
After Paul Radisich's stunning morning warmup accident, the Toll HSV Dealer Team has elected to withdraw car #15 from tomorrow's 1000 kilometre enduro because of the heavy damage sustained in the contact with the Skyline wall. Early indications suggested both Andrew Thompson and Marcus Zukanovic may have been considered as replacements for the injured kiwi should the car be repaired, but with the announcement of the cars withdrawal came some question that dual-Bathurst champion Rick Kelly may in fact miss a start in the 1000.
That news was closely followed by news that Dumbrell's scheduled partner, David Reynolds may be unfit to drive due to a virus, with further news released within hours that Rick Kelly would replace the former Formula Ford and Carerra Cup champion in car #16 for tomorrow's race.
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