Following Mark Hinchelwood’s Top Alcohol Funny Car accident at Sydney Dragway while testing at the Nostalgia Drags, the Hinchelwood family would like to make the following statement:
On Sunday the 9th of August the Top Alcohol funny car Mark was driving at the Nostalgia Drags event at Sydney Dragway suffered an engine failure that led to a fire. Mark subsequently activated the fire suppression system while attempting to bring the car to a stop but as smoke completely filled the body of the car it became impossible to breathe.
Mark made the decision to bail out through the top escape hatch and jump clear of the still burning funny car. In so doing he has fallen to the racing surface and become briefly entangled in the parachutes, which had already deployed.
Following the fast response of the Sydney Dragway safety team and an assessment onsite by paramedics, Mark was transported to Westmead Hospital for further treatment.
Westmead staff are currently treating Mark for a fractured skull as well as various grazes and bruising and he remains under close observation.
While it is very early in Mark’s recovery and too soon to have a specified treatment plan in place, initial signs are positive that he will make a recovery in time.
The concern shown for Mark’s condition by racers, fans, track staff and officials together with the numerous phone calls, emails and messages received since the accident has been truly overwhelming and we thank you all. Right now the most important thing is for Mark to be left to concentrate on getting back on his feet and we ask for privacy while he is allowed to recover.
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