Race car driver critically injured in high-speed crash at Sydney Motorsport Park
A HIGH-SPEED crash at Eastern Creek today has left a competitive go-kart driver in an induced coma. The 55-year-old man was injured when two racing go-karts collided at full speed on the finish line, forcing him to crash land into a race track wall.
NSW
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A HIGH-SPEED crash at Eastern Creek today has left a competitive go-kart driver in a coma.
Two racing go-karts collided at full speed on the finish line at Sydney Motorsport Park at 11am, causing the injured driver to veer into the race track wall.
The go-karts involved in today’s Superkart National Series can complete a flying lap of the circuit “almost as quick as a V8 supercar”, and reach speeds of at least 170km/h.
The 55-year-old driver was taken by ambulance to Westmead hospital under police escort where he remains in a critical condition.
“The driver is extremely experienced, with decades of racing experience,” CEO of Australian Racing Drivers’ Club Glenn Matthews said.
“Motorsport is dangerous but we have best practice circuit configuration.”
Two CareFlight critical care doctors flew to the race track by helicopter, where they took over from track medics.
The doctors treated the driver before placing him in an induced coma to stabilise him.
“Sydney Motorsport Park has a top medical team, which was on the scene within a minute,” Sydney Motorsport Park media manager Samantha Stevens said.
The accident happened in the qualifying session for the second round of the Superkarts Australia 2018 Nationals Series.
All drivers in the Nationals Series need to be licensed race car drivers.
Sydney Motorsport Park, formerly known as Eastern Creek, is an FIA Grade Two track, which means it is equipped to host elite motorsport with the sole exception of Formula One.