NEWS // VAN DER DRIFT ON ROAD TO RECOVERY

New Zealander Chris Van Der Drift has spoken at length about the violent crash at Brands Hatch two weeks ago that so nearly cost him his life. The 24 year old, who has now returned home following surgery reflected about the circumstances of the accident and the extent of his injuries. Whilst we here at Cold Track Days were lucky enough to be able to accompany his words with the only still images of the horrific crash, as captured by talented young UK Motorsports Photographer Danny Dzenis of DD Photography... [read more]

With Van Der Drift finishing the first Superleague race at Brands in seventh place he found himself starting the following (Reverse Grid) race down on the outside of the sixth row.

After making up positions right from the start Van Der Drift began to catch the the AS Roma car of Julien Jousse as the race neared its conclusion and on the uphill run from “Surtees” the New Zealander made his move.

“For a few laps, I saw that I was catching Jousse really fast, the car was going really good and I felt really good” began Van Der Drift.

“I was finally close enough to make a pass on him and just before going down the hill (Pilgrim’s Drop), he was to the left so I decided to pass him on the right. I was flat out in 5th gear just about to go in 6th with push to pass still activated. Then he moved once to the right and I knew it would be really tight to pull off the manoeuvre and then he moved the 2nd time and he completely shut the door and I didn’t know where to go except for the grass.”

“And then it all happened in a split second, we touched wheels and my car launched itself up into the air and took off like an aeroplane. And that’s as far as I remember. The technicians downloaded the data and the last recorded speed before the datalogger got destroyed was 252 km/h” (157 miles/hour).”

According to Van Der Drift he passed out at this point but came around once the car had come to rest:

“I realised I was in a lot of pain. I saw my left index finger was completely mangled and I had massive pain in my right foot. The only thing I wanted to do was to get out of the car."

"The medics wanted to leave me in the car at first, but I didn’t want to do that, I wanted to get out. I managed to undo the buckle with my mangled left hand and then fell down onto the ground. I tried to wriggle my way out of the car. From that point the marshals and medical people took control and took me into the medical centre.”

Various things were going through my mind at this point, firstly I was angry in that I felt I wouldn’t be able to race again straight away because of my foot”, said Van Der Drift. “And of course the holiday that I was going too with my girlfriend on Friday crossed my mind.”

After being stabilised in the circuit's medical Centre Van Der Drift was taken to Dartford hospital where the full extent of his injuries was diagnosed on Sunday night.

The New Zealander had suffered two broken fingers, two cracked ribs, a cracked right wrist and a dislocated and cracked right shoulder, on top of his right ankle being broken in two places and the badly lacerated left hand index finger. Fortunately the Kiwi could undergo surgery on his ankle on Monday afternoon, having a plate, pins and screws inserted.

Keen to return home as quick as possible and with the hospital at Dartford unable to operate on Chris’s finger he was discharged home to Milton Keynes on the Tuesday afternoon.

Superleague doctor, Chris Ruddlesdin then offered his assistance in finding the a suitable specialist for the delicate finger surgery.

“I must sincerely thank him for his help as he was able to recommend and help me get admittance into the hospital in Northampton for plastic surgery on my finger. He has been very helpful throughout the accident and my surgery. ” The New Zealander then had a successful operation on his finger on the Thursday afternoon.

The doctors at the "Darent Hospital" in Dartford indicated that Van Der Drift needed to work on a recuperation period of at least three months but the Kiwi thinks he could be back behind the wheel sooner.

“I have spoken to the doctor who treated Robert Kubica after his crash at the 2007 Grand Prix of Canada. He said that I could recover quicker than in three months. Everyone needs to be wary because my injuries won’t stop me. Not now, not ever! It is my goal to be racing in Portimao in Portugal at the ninth round of the championship on 19 September.”

Editorial: Neil Tozer
Info: Chris van der Drift
Images: Danny Dzenis and Superleague Formula

NEWS // VAN DER DRIFT INJURED IN SUPERLEAGUE SHUNT

Chris Van Der Drift suffered multiple injuries in a particularly nasty shunt at Brands Hatch on Sunday during race two of the Superleague Formula event. The New Zealander, who was driving the Olympiacos car, was launched over the right rear wheel of Julien Jousse and made heavy contact with the bridge parapet at Pilgrims Drop... [read more]

With the car airborne Van Der Drift was fortunate not to hit the underside of the bridge crossing itself. According to medical staff he was conscious at the scene before being taken to Dartford hospital with ankle, shoulder and hand injuries.

Safety standards of both car and circuit stood up well to what was an accident just before the fastest point of the GP loop, the same place that witnessed Johnny Herbert's horror F3000 crash back in 1988.

Editorial: Neil Tozer

NEWS // CARL HAAS TAKES OVER DISTRIBUTION OF PANOZ

Carl Haas, before partnering with Paul Newman to create Newman-Haas Racing, was one of but a few importers of Lola race cars and parts in North America. Recently however, Haas has been importing and distributing Hewland gearboxes and as of yesterday, has taken over distribution and service responsibilities for Elan Motorsport Technologies.

Elan Motorsport Technologies is the racing branch of the Panoz Motor Sport Group and builds cars under the Van Diemen and Panoz brands, to include the Panoz Esperante GTLM. Haas' new distribution role will involve stocking and selling EMT cars and parts around the world, as the brand currently has cars racing in Formula Ford, American Le Mans Series and Superleague Formula // [comment]

NEWS // SUPERLEAGUE FORMULA'S €1 MILLION PRIZE

The Superleague Formula by Sonangol will this season offer the biggest prize fund in European motorsport, with the league champions set to earn €1 million. Along with that, runners-up will receive €500,000 with third place taking home €250,000.

In total, over €5 million will be dished out throughout 2010 as the football-themed championship continues to offer fans and teams alike a unique take on motorsport. Moreover, Superleague Formula is also in negotiations to offer the 2010 champion a prize test drive with a top Formula One team... [read more]

The popular Super Final concept, a five lap dash for cash at the end of race two on Sundays, returns for a second season with €100,000 again going to the winners at each of the 12 rounds. Unlike in 2009 however, prize money will be awarded to all half-dozen finalists meaning that for the first time, fourth to sixth stand to win a share of €55,000, with second and third receiving €75,000 and €50,000 respectively, as they did in ‘09. It’s therefore possible for one driver to amass a staggering €2.2 million should they win all 12 Super Finals throughout the season!

Meanwhile, the existing format of two 44 minute, plus one lap races will remain for 2010.

This significantly increased winners’ purse, not to mention the recently-announced 12-round calendar – a 100% increase over last season - demonstrates just how far Superleague Formula by Sonangol has come since its first race just two and a half years ago as it bids to become a genuine alternative to other single seater formula.

Superleague Formula’s Competition Director Robin Webb said: “The new prize fund offers drivers and teams an even greater incentive to top the Superleague Formula by Sonangol table come November. I can’t think of anything else in Europe that offers this level of prize money for the winners, not to mention for individual races as in the Super Final’s case. All in all, the series really does now offer drivers the chance to earn a living from motor sport, something that’s not possible in single seater racing outside of Formula 1.”

The opening fixture of the 2010 Superleague Formula by Sonangol campaign kicks off at Silverstone UK on April 3/4.

Images and Info: Superleague Formula
Editorial: Neil Tozer

NEWS // SUPERLEAGUE FORMULA EXPANDS FOR 2010

The Sonangol Superleague Formula single seater series has today announced its official 2010 race calendar which will see the championship visit a host of new countries and venues.

Following the difficulties surrounding the A1GP series Superleague is set to move into a far more prominent position and this is heavily reflected with the announcements made today.

Next season’s fixtures represent a 100% increase compared to 2009 in line with the series’ four year plan set out before the very first Superleague Formula race in 2008. For the first time, three countries welcome multiple races with Britain, Spain and Germany hosting two each. In addition, the series welcomes at least six new circuits to the schedule... [read more]

The season kicks off at a new-to-Superleague venue, Silverstone, on April 3/4 in what is the first of two UK rounds scheduled, while the expanded calendar means that the championship will start nearly three months earlier than in 2009.

Another exciting new circuit – Assen - lies in wait for the teams and drivers in May, before moving on to 2009’s season curtain raiser – France’s former F1 venue – Magny-Cours, the following weekend.

Spain’s Jarama is next up three weeks later before the series travels north-east for a Germanic double-header, firstly to the historic Nurburgring before moving on to Oschersleben, the first of three rounds in what promises to be a busy July.

It’s then on to Zolder, back for a third straight year, on the 17/18 before Brands Hatch replaces Donington Park at the end of the month. A well-deserved month-long break is followed up with a trip to Adria in Italy on September 4/5 with Estoril’s date moved back two weeks to the 18/19.

Monza retains its place in the first week of October ahead of a venue returning to the calendar – Jerez – which will stage the penultimate round on November 13/14. An as-yet unnamed circuit will then play host to the Superleague Formula season finale.

Superleague Formula Competition´s Director Robin Webb, said: “Although we’ve had to make some changes in the last few weeks, I’m extremely happy with the new schedule. There’s a great mix of circuits with some existing and ex-F1 venues supplemented by regional tracks which are ideal given their location. Jarama’s proximity to Madrid for instance allowed local Atletico fans the chance to come along and support their team this year, a factor which helped attract 30,000 people. With more established drivers also taking an interest in Superleague, I’m confident that 2010 will prove a vintage season.”

“We are still looking at one or two non-European rounds at the end of the year. We are getting offers from outside of Europe, and our two major targets are the Middle East and South America.”

“We already have football clubs on board, but we are open to people approaching us with a new club.”

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of MotorSport Vision, added: “I’m delighted that Brands Hatch will host Superleague Formula next season, and it’s fantastic to add another prestigious single seater series to the calendar alongside the FIA Formula Two Championship. The Superleague cars are even more powerful than the A1GP cars and with their V12 engines (Above) sound absolutely amazing. They are impressively big cars too so with the reverse grids it will be a fabulous spectacle for fans of motorsport and football alike.”

Philippe Guillaume, board member of the Magny-Cours Circuit, said: “I congratulate Superleague Formula for the excellent progress made in developing this original, fan friendly discipline which has now consolidated its position in the international motorsport market. The French round on 22-23 May at Magny-Cours, which last year was the only French circuit to express an interest in the formula, has been made, taking into account our requirements. I would like to thank the organization for having taken into account our two wishes to have the French race on a date close to the end of the French Ligue 1 championship and before of the World Cup in South Africa.

Stay tuned to CTD for Superleague coverage during the season.


Superleague Formula Calendar 2010:

April 3-4 Silverstone UK
May 15-16 Assen Holland
May 22-23 Magny-Cours France
June 19-20 Jarama Spain
June 26-27 Nurburgring Germany
July 3-4 OscherslebenGermany
July 17-18 Zolder Belgium
July 31-August 1 Brands Hatch UK
September 18-19 Estoril Portugal
October 2-3 Monza Italy
November 13-14 Jerez Spain

Images and Info: SuperleagueFormula
Editorial: Neil Tozer