Holden V8 young gun Lee Holdsworth has been given the ‘all clear’ to return to racing at this weekend’s historic fifth round of the championship at Eastern Creek Raceway in Sydney following his high speed shunt last month.
Holdsworth, 24, hit a concrete wall backwards at nearly 150km/h after leaving the Winton track in his Valvoline/Cummins Commodore in a downpour – the accident destroying the back of the car. “The data shows I flew off the track at 146km/h and I don’t think the car was back on the ground until I hit the wall, ” Holdsworth said.
“The flag marshals said there was fuel around the back of the car and apparently I got out real quick, but I don’t remember it. “It was a fairly big hit and it hurt. I had some dizzy spells in the days following, but I’m OK now and back in the gym working on my fitness, and looking forward to getting back in the car. ”
The accident left GRM team owner Garry Rogers with a $130,000 repair bill, adding to the $70,000 bill he received after Holdsworth’s team-mate Dean Canto crashed in New Zealand. “We’ve had 14 guys working non-stop to fix Lee’s car in time for Eastern Creek this weekend – it’s been a costly exercise and money doesn’t grow on trees anymore, ” Rogers said.
“Lee was knocked around, but he’s OK now. He’s one of the better young drivers around and had a terrific year so far. I know he’ll come back and perform even better despite the set-back. ” Practice for this weekend’s event begins Saturday, with Qualifying and Race 1 Sunday. The fifth round of the V8 Supercar Championship concludes with Races 2 and 3 on Queen’s Birthday Monday.
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