Robert Wickens update

10-25-2018, 08:03 PM

Robert Wickens tweeted today that he is a paraplegic. Posted on twitter, including a video of him sliding into a wheelchair for the first time. A bit difficult to watch, but it's great to see him doing so well, all things considered. He's a tough kid, and I guarantee he'll drive again competitively at some top level.

LakeCleElum · 10-25-2018, 08:11 PM

Thanks for the info Mad..........Something I was afraid of since I watched the crash Live on Tv.....Seems the subject was always "skirted" until now.........I understand why......Still very sad

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Just read an article on that on ESPN. You know the risks are there when you race, but it's just terrible. Thoracic vertebrae fracture (break), along with both tib-fibs, 4 ribs, an elbow, a forearm, and hands.

pwd72s · 10-25-2018, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930

Just read an article on that on ESPN. You know the risks are there when you race, but it's just terrible. Thoracic vertebrae fracture (break), along with both tib-fibs, 4 ribs, an elbow, a forearm, and hands.

sounds doubtful he'll walk again? Very sad if so.

widgeon13 · 10-26-2018, 04:03 AM

Yes, very sad news. Wishing he and his family the best.

astrochex · 10-26-2018, 04:49 AM

It is sad news, but I think that Robert is going to do everything in his power to recover as much capability as possible.

These drivers are fighters of the highest order.

legion · 10-26-2018, 05:06 AM

Thank you for the update.

Yes, there are risks in racing, that doesn't mean I like to see this happen.

Deschodt · 10-26-2018, 06:57 AM

Saw that, difficult to watch... I hope they have great insurance as Indycar drivers. There was an earlier video where he has limited twitch like movement in the legs, so here is hoping the nerves will repair themselves or the brain reroute... Fingers crossed...

URY914 · URY914's Garage

So are drivers covered by insurance by the team/owner or they purchase their own?

legion · 10-26-2018, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URY914

So are drivers covered by insurance by the team/owner or they purchase their own?

I'm curious as well. I can't imagine it would be cheap for a race car driver.

masraum · 10-26-2018, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrochex

It is sad news, but I think that Robert is going to do everything in his power to recover as much capability as possible.

These drivers are fighters of the highest order.

I would agree. Highly competitive drivers don't get to be highly competitive by sitting around. If it's physiologically possible for him to regain use, then he will.

flatbutt · 10-26-2018, 07:17 AM

Oh man that is a rough blow. He will need all the courage he has to live with this. All blessings to him.

masraum · 10-26-2018, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deschodt

Saw that, difficult to watch... I hope they have great insurance as Indycar drivers. There was an earlier video where he has limited twitch like movement in the legs, so here is hoping the nerves will repair themselves or the brain reroute... Fingers crossed...

Of course, unaided restoration would be great, but I have also heard recently about a technicque being used on folks that are paraplegics that have interconnected patches placed on their spine above and below an issue. The patches allow communications past/around the issue. Apparently, these people are able to walk aided or with walkers with the patches.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-45628498

Zeke · 10-26-2018, 07:42 AM

I can't say for sure (I guess we could look it up, I did and there's not a lot about this) but I think the various driver's organizations are there to join other driver's organizations to procure insurance. K & K Insurance has been involved with racing insurance for a long time. The particulars are vague. Perhaps one of the active drivers here can shed more might.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

sounds doubtful he'll walk again? Very sad if so.

correct

Jeff Higgins · 10-26-2018, 09:43 AM

It's so incredibly hard to see a young man in his condition under any circumstances, regardless of how he got that way. My prayers go out to him and his family. It goes without saying that they all have a very long, tough road ahead of them.

This is a sport we all love, obviously, or we would not be gathered together here, on this forum, getting to know one another. There, but for the grace of God, goes any one of us as well. Those of us who do track days, those of us who race, hell any of us that drive our beloved Porsches in a "spirited manner" on some lonely back road. Our sport is exciting, incredibly exhilarating, but remains far more dangerous than most. Keep that in mind, remember guys like Bob Wickens, and oh so many (far too many) others who were not even as relatively "lucky" as he was. Be careful out there, boys and girls... And pray for those, and the families of those, who have paid such a heavy price for the sport we love. I so wish it didn't have to be this way.

pwd72s · 10-26-2018, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

It's so incredibly hard to see a young man in his condition under any circumstances, regardless of how he got that way. My prayers go out to him and his family. It goes without saying that they all have a very long, tough road ahead of them.

This is a sport we all love, obviously, or we would not be gathered together here, on this forum, getting to know one another. There, but for the grace of God, goes any one of us as well. Those of us who do track days, those of us who race, hell any of us that drive our beloved Porsches in a "spirited manner" on some lonely back road. Our sport is exciting, incredibly exhilarating, but remains far more dangerous than most. Keep that in mind, remember guys like Bob Wickens, and oh so many (far too many) others who were not even as relatively "lucky" as he was. Be careful out there, boys and girls... And pray for those, and the families of those, who have paid such a heavy price for the sport we love. I so wish it didn't have to be this way.

Very well said. I would also warn other who have reached a certain age (like myself) that bodily changes include a slowing of reflexes. I've adjusted my driving accordingly. Driving may not be the fun it used to be, but it beats not driving at all.

There are other competitive things one can do with far less danger...

rfuerst911sc · 10-27-2018, 03:23 AM

Unfortunately other drivers like Darryl Gwynn or Sam Schmidt come to mind with the same horrific injuries . There is plenty of pain and suffering on a daily basis just think about any VA hospital

. Race cars in almost any division/series are so good at what they do that it's easy to forget the dangers . Watch video of a WEC , IRL or F1 car going into and coming out of turns it is almost unbelievable how well they stick and do so lap after lap . But get one thing wrong and you have crossed the edge and tragedy strikes . It is a ragged edge with serious consequences .

These drivers for the most part are very physically fit and have at least a fighting chance at recovery , just think back to Alex Zanardi and what he went through . I really hope Wickens can come through this and have some semblance of a normal life .

10-27-2018, 10:28 PM

On a related note, for those who love Indycars, make sure to watch Born to Race (on netflix). It's the biography of Scott Dixon, and features some amazing interviews and details of his crash at Indy two years ago. Plus lots of footage of the incomparably gorgeous Emma Dixon.