Former 2006 Aston Martin driver, Tomas Enge, in stable condition after serious accident in Ferrari at St. Petersburg Grand Prix...we wish him a speedy recovery!!!
TOMAS ENGE IN STABLE CONDITION AFTER
SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT ST. PETERSBURG GRAND PRIX
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March
31, 2007 – Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing driver
Tomas Enge, former GT1 Aston Martin Driver in 2006, (a native of the
Czech Republic living in Monaco) 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 trauma, 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.
Additional information will be made available by the American Le Mans Series
Media Department and Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing as it becomes
available. The team finished 10th in GT2 class at the conclusion of the event.
Quotes
Michael Petersen, Owner: "Obviously, our full attention and all of our
thoughts are centered-around Tomas right now. We are all very relieved that he
is stable and alert. It was a very hard hit. In the short time he has been with
the team he has made a huge impact on all of us as a driver and as a friend. So
something like this has a very big emotional impact on you and goes far beyond
racing."
Dave Hale, National Corvette Registry: "Personally, I love racing, and
I cheer for the other #62 Ferrari in GT2 when Tomas races because
he is the former driver for Aston Martin. It is my own personal way of
supporting the Corvette Race team even more in 2007... :)
But... in somber times such as these, trivial rivalries don't exist in my
mind, and I can only hope and pray that Tomas will make a full and speedy
recovery, and that he will be able to race in Long Beach in 2 weeks. I am glad
to hear that he is stable and alert as well, and I send Tomas and his family my
sincere and heartfelt wishes, and support in this traumatic time.
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