OTR boss Sam Shahin thanks supporters after surviving serious crash in Bathurst
Scary footage shows the serious crash atop Mount Panorama on the weekend that has left OTR boss and The Bend owner Sam Shahin with major injuries.
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On The Run supremo Sam Shahin has thanked wellwishers after he survived a major crash during qualifying for the Bathurst 12 hour endurance race on the weekend.
The head of the Pegregrine group, that built the $100m racetrack at Tailem Bend, was transferred to hospital in his hometown of Adelaide from NSW to receive further treatment on extensive injuries.
Mr Shahin suffered two crushed vertebrae, a neck injury, a broken rib and fingers in the massive accident racing caused by a rival.
“Nasty accident last week,” the V8 Supercar legend wrote today on Twitter.
“Long road to recovery from here. We take so much for granted. Thank you to all the well wishers. The support is greatly appreciated.”
Nasty accident last week. Two crushed vertebrae, a neck injury, a broken rib and fingers. Long road to recovery from here. We take so much for granted. Thank you to all the well wishers. The support is greatly appreciated. https://t.co/2rseiu9OaB
— Sam Shahin (@samshahin_) February 6, 2020
Champion V8 driver Garth Tander responded: “No good Sam. Wishing you all the best for your recovery. Knowing you, you’ll be back even stronger!”
The Bend Motorsport Park owner Mr Shahin was driving the car as part of the Triple Eight team of Anton De Pasquale, Nick Foster and his brother Yasser Shahin when the incident occurred 30 minutes into the session.
Mr Shahin left the road following contact with the car of driver Cameron McConville, hitting the concrete wall front on.
He was then hit by driver Tyler Everingham before he also made heavy contact with the solid barrier.
Both drivers were taken to the on-course medical centre before being transferred to hospital for observation.
“After being looked after initially by the excellent on-track medical team and then Bathurst hospital, Sam was transferred to Adelaide for further treatment for a back injury,” a team spokesperson said.
Triple Eight boss Roland Dane launched a tirade at McConville calling him an “idiot” who “should have retired years ago”.“
McConville has apologised for the incident.
“Look, I feel sorry for Sam, he’s a great guy, honestly I did not mean to touch him.”
The Bend, South Australia’s world-class motor racing facility at Tailem Bend, is Mr Shahin’s brainchild, passion – and some say his folly.
The complex has a 7.77km bitumen circuit, drag racing strip, and drift racing circuit.
In 2020 it will host a round of the Asian Le Mans Series and the Supercars sprint round will be replaced by a new endurance event, The Bend 500.