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Atkinson: ‘That was my biggest crash - by a long way’
Subaru World Rally Team driver Chris Atkinson says the crash which took him out of Wales Rally GB on Friday was easily the biggest of his career.
The Australian was air-lifted to hospital for checks after the smash, which happened on the first corner of SS7 at Walters arena, but was released on Friday night after getting the all-clear from doctors.
Atkinson visited the service area today and explained what happened.
“The car just didn’t turn,” he said. “It’s normally a flat left corner, so I went flat and turned - but the car didn’t. There was ice under the mud and we couldn’t see it. We touched a bank at 160kph and the car rolled - a lot. The first impact bounced the car off the ground and the data showed we were in the air for one and a half or two seconds. It landed quite hard and I was knocked out. Then it rolled about six more times and we stopped 150 - 180 metres from the where it started. I can’t remember much about it but I know it was big - my biggest by a long way.”
“My shoulder is a bit stiff and I’m a bit bruised in places but apart from that I feel okay. I’m going home tonight to have a rest,” he added.
Subaru team manager Paul Howarth said the tubular steel safety cell surrounding Chris and his co-driver Stephane Prevot had done its job.
“It held up very well and did what it was designed to do,” said Howarth. “We’ve sent the car back to Banbury for a detailed inspection to see what we can learn from the accident. That’s the best way you get to learn about safety aspects. The car was fitted with the new FIA safety seats, which may have helped. The main thing is that Chris and Stephane were okay.”
Regards
JAS
