Former Toro Rosso F1 racer Scott Speed has suffered a broken back in a rallycross incident on Friday.
Speed was hospitalised on Friday when he landed heavily during the qualifying heat of the Nitro Rallycross event at Utah Motorsports Park, which is part of the Nitro World Games.
The American drives a Subaru WRX STI, which he also uses in the Americas Rallycross series. Following a social media silence while he was being checked for a broken bone, Speed revealed he hurt is T6 vertebrae.
A statement from Subaru Motorsports USA on Friday stated: “Unfortunately, Scott Speed suffered a back injury during the first qualifying heat after a heavy landing over a jump.
“He was able to finish the heat and exit the car, but has been transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Scott will miss the remainder of the event.” Speed then took to his social media for an update:
“After landing hard in Q1 I broke my back. [I] was rushed to the local hospital for checks. CT scan confirmed a destroyed T6 [vertebrae], then [I] was taken to a spine specialist at University of Utah.
“Finally got an MRI done around 3 AM. We found I have three fractured vertebrae. Waiting now for the surgeons to give us the game plan. Last night was easily the scariest and most painful time I can remember.
“Was in a pretty dark place. But I want to thank so much everyone who came and spent time with me. No way I could have made it thruough alone. Peter Bminnig will forever have a place in my heart for all that he did.
“And luckily the best cousin in the world Jekka Arellano lives here to play mama bear for me…so excited to see Amanda and dad here soon. Thanks for all the kind text messages.”
