V8 Utes thankful for race three crash recovery
The third and final race of Round One of the Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series held at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide was red flagged today due to a major collision.
The three drivers, New Zealander Colin Corkery, South Australian Craig Dontas and Gold Coaster Matt Kingsley were rushed to the Royal Adelaide hospital for further examination.
Corkery was the first to be released with his visit mostly for safety precautions than because of any injuries. Following further checks Dontas was released shortly after.
Kingsley the most concerning of the three remained in the intensive care unit in a stable condition but with a suspected spinal injury. Fortunately he has since regained consciousness, is off the respirator and has no broken bones. His MRI was clear and he has no damage to his organs. After 7 hours Matt first spoke with his family in a stressed state, unable to remember what had occurred and anxious at his condition, but with family reassurance he is comfortable and doing well.
A further bulletin will be issued on his condition when further details become known.
As the race had not yet completed a lap it was red flagged and no points were awarded. The Round One podium was taken from the points of the first two races with reigning Series champion Grant Johnson scoring first place in the Holden VE, Ford BF Falcon XR8 driver Layton Crambrook in second overall and fellow Ford driver George Miedecke rounding out the top three.
The Sonax Car Care Best Presented Award went to Craig Dontas in the immaculate Roaring Lion Ford BF which turned out with grid girls, banners and off track support events. Ironically enough Dontas was sadly one of the most damaged cars in today’s incident and has been completely written off following the accident.
George Miedecke of Port Macquarie scored himself the inaugural Clutch Industries Hole Shot Award for a sensational start in race three today.
Round Two of the Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series will take place at Eastern Creek on March 7 – 9.
