<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/scott_wildgust_stratford_on.jpg" alt="scott_wildgust_stratford_on" align="left"borders="0"/>
CAYUGA, ONTARIO (May 20, 2008) - Pro Modified Racing Association driver Scott Wildgust had a nasty ride during a qualifying attempt at the Third Annual PMRA Challenge event at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario May 17, and although he crashed heavily in the Ajax Engines/Torco Racing Fuels Ontario 1967 Chevrolet Camaro owned by Kirk and Maria Silbermann of Ajax, Ontario in the third round of qualifying, he is now recuperating after getting checked out in the hospital.
“We’ll survive,” said Wildgust who is resting at home from the crash. “I’m pretty sore, but I was given a clean bill of health.”
Wildgust, an experienced drag racer of 17 years, including several seasons in the Pro Modified ranks and in Funny Cars, said he does not really remember what happened at Cayuga last Saturday before the car crashed into the left lane wall.
He was removed from the car by track safety and rescue team along with paramedics and firefighters, taken to West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville and then to Hamilton General Hospital for further observation.
Wildgust said two safety factors worked as intended, and without them the result could have been much worse. He said the HANS (head and neck restraint device) he was wearing, along with the solidly-built roll cage of the race car did their jobs.
“I think the HANS pretty well saved my life,” he mentioned. “I don’t even have a stiff neck.”
Built by G-Force Race Cars, the Ajax team car was constructed with the most stringent of SFI safety requirements, certified for strength, and cocooned Wildgust during the incident as intended.
“We build our cars to the best of our ability,” said G-Force’s Jim Salemi, one of a handful of professional Pro Modified race car builders, and with close to 20 years experience.
He added that the roll cage and extra bars built into the chassis of the car did what they were supposed to do in protecting the driver.
Wildgust added he sincerely appreciated the efforts of track and rescue teams after the incident.
“I want to thank everyone that was there for me,” he said. “It means a lot to me and my family.”
While there were some qualifying runs at the event, the race had to be postponed due to inclement weather. PMRA Director of Operations Bruce Mehlenbacher is working with TMP officials in rescheduling the event later this season.
The PMRA will compete at several drag strips in 2008. There are two dates at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, June 28 and a date to be rescheduled. At New York International Raceway Park June 7 in New York State, then Dunn Tire Raceway Park July 26, also in New York State. An event is scheduled at the Sanair facility in Quebec August 16, and the season-closer will be held at the Southwestern Ontario track of the Grand Bend Motorplex August 30 and 31.
Scott Wildgust okay after serious crash in PMRA Pro Modified opener in Cayuga
HANS device and well-built car provide protection from serious injury
CAYUGA, ONTARIO (May 20, 2008) - Pro Modified Racing Association driver Scott Wildgust had a nasty ride during a qualifying attempt at the Third Annual PMRA Challenge event at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario May 17, and although he crashed heavily in the Ajax Engines/Torco Racing Fuels Ontario 1967 Chevrolet Camaro owned by Kirk and Maria Silbermann of Ajax, Ontario in the third round of qualifying, he is now recuperating after getting checked out in the hospital.
“We’ll survive,” said Wildgust who is resting at home from the crash. “I’m pretty sore, but I was given a clean bill of health.”
Wildgust, an experienced drag racer of 17 years, including several seasons in the Pro Modified ranks and in Funny Cars, said he does not really remember what happened at Cayuga last Saturday before the car crashed into the left lane wall.
He was removed from the car by track safety and rescue team along with paramedics and firefighters, taken to West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville and then to Hamilton General Hospital for further observation.
Wildgust said two safety factors worked as intended, and without them the result could have been much worse. He said the HANS (head and neck restraint device) he was wearing, along with the solidly-built roll cage of the race car did their jobs.
“I think the HANS pretty well saved my life,” he mentioned. “I don’t even have a stiff neck.”
Built by G-Force Race Cars, the Ajax team car was constructed with the most stringent of SFI safety requirements, certified for strength, and cocooned Wildgust during the incident as intended.
“We build our cars to the best of our ability,” said G-Force’s Jim Salemi, one of a handful of professional Pro Modified race car builders, and with close to 20 years experience.
He added that the roll cage and extra bars built into the chassis of the car did what they were supposed to do in protecting the driver.
Wildgust added he sincerely appreciated the efforts of track and rescue teams after the incident.
“I want to thank everyone that was there for me,” he said. “It means a lot to me and my family.”
While there were some qualifying runs at the event, the race had to be postponed due to inclement weather. PMRA Director of Operations Bruce Mehlenbacher is working with TMP officials in rescheduling the event later this season.
The PMRA will compete at several drag strips in 2008. There are two dates at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, June 28 and a date to be rescheduled. At New York International Raceway Park June 7 in New York State, then Dunn Tire Raceway Park July 26, also in New York State. An event is scheduled at the Sanair facility in Quebec August 16, and the season-closer will be held at the Southwestern Ontario track of the Grand Bend Motorplex August 30 and 31.
