Da Matta in critical state after crash
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Da Matta in critical state after crash
Da Matta in critical state after crash
This sounds serious. You guys over in the US catch any further developments?
Cristiano da Matta underwent emergency surgery last night following a major crash at Road America during the first day of a two-day test session at the circuit.
The Brazilian, who last Sunday scored his best result of the season with second place at San Jose, was approaching Turn 6 at the Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin venue when his RuSPORT car was in collision with a deer.
According to eye witnesses, the animal struck the right front corner of the car, was thrown across the cockpit, and da Matta plunged off circuit with his foot still on the throttle.
Da Matta was airlifted to Theda Clark Memorial Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma. A subdural hematoma is a form of traumatic brain injury.
The Brazilian, who last Sunday scored his best result of the season with second place at San Jose, was approaching Turn 6 at the Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin venue when his RuSPORT car was in collision with a deer.
According to eye witnesses, the animal struck the right front corner of the car, was thrown across the cockpit, and da Matta plunged off circuit with his foot still on the throttle.
Da Matta was airlifted to Theda Clark Memorial Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma. A subdural hematoma is a form of traumatic brain injury.
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From: San Luis Obispo, CA
Oh jeez brain surgery, that doesn't look good.
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ne...Nightlead.html
He'll be in my prayers.
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ne...Nightlead.html
He'll be in my prayers.
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Cristiano da Matta continues to recover from the serious head injury he incurred following a high speed shunt at Road America yesterday.
He remains in the critical care unit of Theda Clark Memorial Hospital in Neenah, Wisconsin, and is being constantly monitored.
Da Matta suffered a subdural hematoma - bleeding between the brain and the skull - to the right side of his head.
The 32-year-old Brazilian struck a deer at a 130mph part of the 4.048-mile course. Skidmarks on the track indicate da Matta saw the deer as he came over the crest of the hill approaching Turn 6, and RuSPORT engineers have revealed he had got down to 90mph but could not avoid the animal, which struck his crash helmet.
The RuSPORT car swerved right and had a side-on impact with the concrete wall just after the bridge, and slid along it, crossing the gravel trap at Turn 6 before relatively gently hitting the tyre wall.
The Champ Car Safety Team were on the scene within 40 seconds and found da Matta unconscious.
Da Matta was not taken to the Champ Car Medical Center but was instead airlifted straight from the scene and taken to Theda Clark.
Close friends and colleagues Bruno Junqueira and Oriol Servia are reported to be at his bedside in intensive care and are expected to be joined by Tony Kanaan and Christian Fittipaldi.
He remains in the critical care unit of Theda Clark Memorial Hospital in Neenah, Wisconsin, and is being constantly monitored.
Da Matta suffered a subdural hematoma - bleeding between the brain and the skull - to the right side of his head.
The 32-year-old Brazilian struck a deer at a 130mph part of the 4.048-mile course. Skidmarks on the track indicate da Matta saw the deer as he came over the crest of the hill approaching Turn 6, and RuSPORT engineers have revealed he had got down to 90mph but could not avoid the animal, which struck his crash helmet.
The RuSPORT car swerved right and had a side-on impact with the concrete wall just after the bridge, and slid along it, crossing the gravel trap at Turn 6 before relatively gently hitting the tyre wall.
The Champ Car Safety Team were on the scene within 40 seconds and found da Matta unconscious.
Da Matta was not taken to the Champ Car Medical Center but was instead airlifted straight from the scene and taken to Theda Clark.
Close friends and colleagues Bruno Junqueira and Oriol Servia are reported to be at his bedside in intensive care and are expected to be joined by Tony Kanaan and Christian Fittipaldi.
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Just to put this out there, this can happen to you at any track at any time. Usually first session in the mornings, particularly at VIR, if you look around the edge of the track you can see deer, ground hogs, etc. here on the east coast.
Hope this turns out well.
Hope this turns out well.
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From: South Carolina
When I was at Road America in the AMS Evo at One Lap one of the workers told me that a deer crossed between another car and me, but it was just out of sight for me to see it. They had to stop the session to get the deer out of one of the fenced in areas.
I have seen a deer at CMP in South Carolina while on track, and deer at Roebling and VIR while off track. I also know of a couple formula car drivers who were killed when they hit deer, I forget which track it is, but there is actually a section named "deer's leap" because deer go over that part enough.
I hope that Da Matta pulls through this ok, and we see him on track soon.
Jon
I have seen a deer at CMP in South Carolina while on track, and deer at Roebling and VIR while off track. I also know of a couple formula car drivers who were killed when they hit deer, I forget which track it is, but there is actually a section named "deer's leap" because deer go over that part enough.
I hope that Da Matta pulls through this ok, and we see him on track soon.
Jon
Damn, and all you need is a half dozen rednecks... with rifles..
And you'd have a clear track, and some dinner.
Really though, if it's a known problem, they need to do something about it. Taller fenses or something, ya know?
And you'd have a clear track, and some dinner.
Really though, if it's a known problem, they need to do something about it. Taller fenses or something, ya know?
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From: South Carolina
They have pretty tall fences at Road America, but the deer get into the track, or onto the track from the access points for rescue workers and such.
At tracks where you know it's a problem, workers keep an eye out. The hting about between 5 and 6 from Road America is there is fence on the left, but on the right there is a lot open because it is where the track has the 2nd pit entrance. There are also buildings around there, skip barber keeps their cars over there, etc.. so they might not expect a deer to come in from that side as much.
If there is a good part to this, it is that that's probably the slowest straight on the track.. even so I top 110mph in the AMS car.
Jon K
(I will try to get a picture of said spot up in a while)
At tracks where you know it's a problem, workers keep an eye out. The hting about between 5 and 6 from Road America is there is fence on the left, but on the right there is a lot open because it is where the track has the 2nd pit entrance. There are also buildings around there, skip barber keeps their cars over there, etc.. so they might not expect a deer to come in from that side as much.
If there is a good part to this, it is that that's probably the slowest straight on the track.. even so I top 110mph in the AMS car.
Jon K
(I will try to get a picture of said spot up in a while)
a picture would help, but an 8 foot fense will keep deer out. I'd imagine it hard to believe that the whole compound isn't fenced in, ya know?
the whole inside shouldn't have any animals in it, i'd think.
i dunno. just seems like an avoidable hazard, ya know?
Best of luck to the guy.
the whole inside shouldn't have any animals in it, i'd think.
i dunno. just seems like an avoidable hazard, ya know?
Best of luck to the guy.
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From: South Carolina
K, so looking at the pics I am off, there is fencing, but down the hill into 5, and for s short distance out of 5.. but up the hill into turn 6, there is just spectator fencing.. which, isn't going to stop a deer as you see.
There is still a lot of buildings on the right (out of picture), but the left is the middle of the track, and probably has more than a few deer.
Should they put fencing up all the way around, Yea.. I think it would be smart. Not sure why not,, could have something to do with environmental issues.
Jon K
There is still a lot of buildings on the right (out of picture), but the left is the middle of the track, and probably has more than a few deer.
Should they put fencing up all the way around, Yea.. I think it would be smart. Not sure why not,, could have something to do with environmental issues.
Jon K
Originally Posted by racerjon1
K, so looking at the pics I am off, there is fencing, but down the hill into 5, and for s short distance out of 5.. but up the hill into turn 6, there is just spectator fencing.. which, isn't going to stop a deer as you see.
There is still a lot of buildings on the right (out of picture), but the left is the middle of the track, and probably has more than a few deer.
Should they put fencing up all the way around, Yea.. I think it would be smart. Not sure why not,, could have something to do with environmental issues.
Jon K
There is still a lot of buildings on the right (out of picture), but the left is the middle of the track, and probably has more than a few deer.
Should they put fencing up all the way around, Yea.. I think it would be smart. Not sure why not,, could have something to do with environmental issues.
Jon K
Damn the animals, put up the fences!