Wickens – who suffered a severe spinal twine harm in an IndyCar crash at Pocono in 2018 that left him paraplegic – was making his debut within the collection, sharing a Goal SRL-entered Hyundai Elantra N together with his fellow Canadian co-driver Mark Wilkins.
This was the primary race of a double-header occasion to begin the NLS endurance racing season, a 28-lap stanza across the fearsome 12.9-mile circuit that’s famend as one of many biggest tracks on the earth.
Their automotive had suffered an early conflict with a Falken-backed No. 3 Porsche that left some beauty harm on the unbranded No. 831 automotive’s right-rear nook, which was patched up as Wickens rejoined.
Following the foremost crash on the midway level of the endurance race, which reportedly occurred on the finish of the Dottinger-Hohe part in direction of the tip of the lap, the 35-year-old Canadian was transported to close by Neuwied hospital for precautionary checks, having been declared “aware and alert” by his Bryan Herta Autosport group on its social media channels.
Though there isn’t any official account of what occurred, onboard footage from the No. 4 Porsche confirmed barrier harm on the last nook the place Wickens is believed to have hit the tirewall and vaulted over the fence.
At simply after 5pm native time, BHA launched an additional replace on his situation: “After an additional analysis at hospital, scans are full and clear. Robert will keep in hospital in a single day for precautionary statement.”
Wickens received the TCR title in final yr’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Problem collection in America with BHA’s factory-backed Hyundai group, sharing with Harry Gottsacker.
Wickens makes use of hand controls to govern the throttle, brake and clutch, which is a system that may be turned off so his co-drivers can drive the automotive in a extra common method. On account of his restoration from the spinal harm “plateauing”, Wickens has set his long-term targets on turning into the primary disabled driver to race within the Indianapolis 500.
He has been tipped to contest subsequent month’s Nurburgring 24 Hours, however this was unconfirmed when Motorsport.com reached out to the South Korean producer final week.
The NLS collection is popping out of a controversial low season, which was blighted by political wrangling and solely took half after a authorized problem to the monitor’s Russian-owned holding firm – which desires to run its personal Nurburgring Endurance Collection.
