Fittipaldi Recovering

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Fittipaldi Recovering
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Cleared for return to Florida
Christian Fittipaldi suffered a horrendous crash at the beginning of laptwo of the April 6 Surfer's Paradise, Australia event. TheKMart/Budweiser Swift Ford driver of the Newman-Haas team is recoveringfrom three hours of surgery.
The accident was a result of contact with Gil de Ferran in a high speedsection of the track just in front of the pit area. Fittipaldi maintainsthat he had begun to set his car for the upcoming chicane, while deFerran contends that Fittipaldi drifted to the left not having seen him,with two wheels half-way past Fittipaldi's car.
According to Dr. Stephen Olvey, CART Director of Medical Affairs,Fittipaldi was conscious and alert when removed from the car. He wastaken to the trackside medical center to stabilize his right leg, andthen taken to the Gold Coast Hospital by ambulance. Approximately sixhours after the accident, Fittipaldi was prepared for surgery.
After preliminary X-rays, it was thought that Fittipaldi had broken hisright tibia in three places and his right fibula in two places. FurtherX-rays revealed that only the tibia was broken in two places. Thesurgery was estimated to take one and a half hours, but due to thecomplexity of the procedure, it extended to a full three hours. Theinsertion of the 360mm long by 11mm wide stainless steel rod was securedwith four screws through the bone. Dr. Nick Bonofilio, who is one of theCART Safety Team, was one of the team of orthopedic surgeons involved inthe operation.
Fittipaldi has been cleared to travel back to his home in Key Biscane,FL. as soon as he is comfortable enough for the 14 hour flight to LosAngeles, and then on to Miami International Airport. It is anticipatedthat the trip will take place on April 12.
Christian had run well over the weekend in the Australia event. HisFriday provisional qualifying time had him on the front row in secondplace. Then on Saturday's practice session he was third, and finallyqualified 9th. His Sunday morning warm-up session had again been thethird fastest.
An announcement regarding the future plans of Newman-Haas to acquire atemporary replacement for Fittipaldi will be forthcoming.
We wish him a speedy recovery.


		Check out the latest Sports Guides from Starting Blocks Int'l

		Fittipaldi Recovering ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Cleared for return to Florida Christian Fittipaldi suffered a horrendous crash at the beginning of laptwo of the April 6 Surfer's Paradise, Australia event. TheKMart/Budweiser Swift Ford driver of the Newman-Haas team is recoveringfrom three hours of surgery. The accident was a result of contact with Gil de Ferran in a high speedsection of the track just in front of the pit area. Fittipaldi maintainsthat he had begun to set his car for the upcoming chicane, while deFerran contends that Fittipaldi drifted to the left not having seen him,with two wheels half-way past Fittipaldi's car. According to Dr. Stephen Olvey, CART Director of Medical Affairs,Fittipaldi was conscious and alert when removed from the car. He wastaken to the trackside medical center to stabilize his right leg, andthen taken to the Gold Coast Hospital by ambulance. Approximately sixhours after the accident, Fittipaldi was prepared for surgery. After preliminary X-rays, it was thought that Fittipaldi had broken hisright tibia in three places and his right fibula in two places. FurtherX-rays revealed that only the tibia was broken in two places. Thesurgery was estimated to take one and a half hours, but due to thecomplexity of the procedure, it extended to a full three hours. Theinsertion of the 360mm long by 11mm wide stainless steel rod was securedwith four screws through the bone. Dr. Nick Bonofilio, who is one of theCART Safety Team, was one of the team of orthopedic surgeons involved inthe operation. Fittipaldi has been cleared to travel back to his home in Key Biscane,FL. as soon as he is comfortable enough for the 14 hour flight to LosAngeles, and then on to Miami International Airport. It is anticipatedthat the trip will take place on April 12. Christian had run well over the weekend in the Australia event. HisFriday provisional qualifying time had him on the front row in secondplace. Then on Saturday's practice session he was third, and finallyqualified 9th. His Sunday morning warm-up session had again been thethird fastest. An announcement regarding the future plans of Newman-Haas to acquire atemporary replacement for Fittipaldi will be forthcoming. We wish him a speedy recovery.