FF_Mark
19-03-2002, 01:21
Ford star Carlos Sainz and his co-driver Luis Moya have been injured in a testing crash in Spain during preparations for this weekend's WRC round, the Rally Catalunya.
The pair were carrying out a systems check on their Ford Focus before starting the rally recce tomorrow (Tuesday).
Sainz is suffering from whiplash, but Moya's injuries are more serious. He has a cracked rib, a broken tooth and a cut tongue. Both are recovering in hospital.
The accident took place on roads around the Tarragona area where Leg 1 of the Rally Catalunya will take place. They crashed at what is throught to be a fifth gear left-hander. The car hit a rockface on the right of the road head-on.
Despite the huge force of the impact, the roll-cage appears to have stood up well and protected the pair from further injury.
Sainz was released from hospital on Monday evening and has been pronounced fit enough to take part in Tuesday's recce. However Moya is being kept in overnight and will miss the recce; replacement co-driver Marc Marti has been drafted in. A decision will be made later on in the week whether or not Moya will contest the rally itself.
The accident follows team-mate Colin McRae's huge shunt on the Tour de Corse just over a week ago, in which the Scot broke a finger.
http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2002/3/200231902112959987.gif
The pair were carrying out a systems check on their Ford Focus before starting the rally recce tomorrow (Tuesday).
Sainz is suffering from whiplash, but Moya's injuries are more serious. He has a cracked rib, a broken tooth and a cut tongue. Both are recovering in hospital.
The accident took place on roads around the Tarragona area where Leg 1 of the Rally Catalunya will take place. They crashed at what is throught to be a fifth gear left-hander. The car hit a rockface on the right of the road head-on.
Despite the huge force of the impact, the roll-cage appears to have stood up well and protected the pair from further injury.
Sainz was released from hospital on Monday evening and has been pronounced fit enough to take part in Tuesday's recce. However Moya is being kept in overnight and will miss the recce; replacement co-driver Marc Marti has been drafted in. A decision will be made later on in the week whether or not Moya will contest the rally itself.
The accident follows team-mate Colin McRae's huge shunt on the Tour de Corse just over a week ago, in which the Scot broke a finger.
http://media.turbosport.co.uk/2002/3/200231902112959987.gif