Asian Motor Sports

A1 Team Czech Republic’s Tomas Enge will undergo surgery tomorrow on the broken left elbow he suffered during last weekend’s accident at the Sports Car Challenge in St Petersburg, Florida.

Enge was leading the GT2 class driving the No. 31 MMPIE/PAWS/Petersen Holdings/Michelin Ferrari F430 GT when the accident happened. He suffered serious trauma but was awake and alert during the rescue process and despite a fire that erupted after the car made contact with the outside wall in turn four of the 1.8 mile street course, he sustained no burns.

Tomas started on the 24-hour trip from St Petersburg to Indianapolis yesterday to see surgical and orthopaedic specialist Dr Terry Trammel. Due to a small peroration to one lung, Tomas was unable to make the 2,000 kilometer journey by plane and had to make trip by road instead.

Enge is scheduled to arrive in Indiana today where he will be admitted to the Methodist Hospital to have his first face-to-face visit with Dr. Terry Trammell. Trammell, the renowned orthopedic surgeon who has helped scores of professional racing drivers return to the cockpit after serious injury, has reviewed Enge’s X-Rays and is preparing for the surgery. Once the surgical procedures have been completed, Enge will remain in Indianapolis for rehabilitation.

Despite what is, at times, overpowering soreness from the impact, Enge’s spirits and attitude remain high. He is excited about moving on to the next level of his rehabilitation and ultimate homecoming with the Dale White-managed team. He will return to the No. 31 MMPIE/PAWS/Petersen Holdings/Michelin Ferrari F430 GT upon the clearance of Dr. Trammell.

Speaking about his accident, Tomas Enge said:

‘The first thing I want to say is how much I appreciate everything that everyone has done for me. The doctors and nurses at Bayfront have been very good to me. The American Le Mans Series, IMSA and the whole Petersen/White Lightning team have been here since the first moment and helped take care of all the details. I have had so many people call and email that it will take me time to respond to everyone but it is very nice to have so many people care. Panoz and Panther Racing even offered me the use of their jets. It means a lot to me. I can’t even say how much it means. We are working with Indianapolis Medical Center and Dr. Trammell. We will have the surgery there because I want to be in the best hands of the best people. They know the race car drivers. I will leave here today and I am ready to get on to the next step to get back into the car. Otherwise, I am still in quite big pain but everything is going fine. Hopefully the surgery will be good and we’ll be back on the track as soon as possible.’

Enge’s manager and seat holder for A1 Team Czech Republic Antonin Charouz said: ‘I have to thank all American friends for tremendous help. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to use the plane in the end and the best possible way at the moment is a car ride where he will be accompanied by competent health staff. According to the provisional statement from doctor Trammell, who saw x-ray photographs and CT records, there is hope that Tomas could make his favorite 24 hour Le Mans in the mid June. We can of course be more specific after inspection of the driver is conducted by Terry Trammell’s, who also takes care of other drivers from Indy Car Series.’

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