Driver Release: Australian Formula BMW Junior, Chris Wootton has been cleared of any major injuries after a massive accident in the Formula BMW Pacific support race at the Macau Grand Prix.
Whilst in a great deal of pain, doctors have concluded that the 20-year-old has heavy bruising of his wrist. He was rushed to hospital from the accident scene with it being suspected his wrist was broken.
The crash happened on the opening lap of the encounter – the final race of the 2009 season – and Chris was collected by another competitor at 180kph. With no room for movement on the very tight confines of the iconic Guia circuit, a multi-car pile-up ensued. Such was the damage, Wootton’s Eurasia Motorsport Formula BMW FB02 was rendered a write-off.
Chris was hoping to finish off the season strongly and following practice and qualifying, everything was pointing towards an early 21st birthday present. He was the second fastest of the regular drivers during practice and then in qualifying, placed the Eurasia machine off position number six – again the second fastest of the regular Formula BMW Pacific pilots.
Such a bruising encounter was today’s race, less than half the 22 car field greeted the chequered flag.
The season promised so much, however a great deal of bad luck befell the Queenslander throughout the year. Highlights have included pole position at Sepang and he holds the Formula BMW lap record for the Malaysian circuit.
BEHIND THE HELMET: CHRIS WOOTTON
“I’m in a bit of pain, but otherwise OK. Practice and Qualifying were fantastic, I was ecstatic with the pace we showed, the first and third sectors were really good, we were right on pace. The long middle sector, we were a little off the pace and that was the difference between me being further up the grid.”
“We take a lot of encouragement from the year, there were lots of times we showed some good pace. The bad luck we experienced was just something else. It was just one thing after another. Let’s hope that’s my bad year out of the way and we can build from there.”
“I have to thank my many supporters from Australia and also Singapore for assisting us this year, principally First Automobile, Fraser Place, Mustica Motors and my family for their unwavering support.”
“My engineer, Greg Wheeler did a fantastic job in often difficult circumstances and so too Mark Goddard and the Eurasia Motorsport team.”
