Chris Wootton bruised, but not broken after Macau shunt

Australian Formula BMW Junior, Chris Wootton has been cleared of any major injuries after a massive accident in the Formula BMW Pacific support race at the Macau Grand Prix this afternoon.

Whilst in a great deal of pain, doctors have concluded that the 20-year-old has heavy bruising of his wrist. He was rushed to hospital from the accident scene with it being suspected his wrist was broken.

The crash happened on the opening lap of the encounter – the final race of the 2009 season – and Chris was collected by another competitor at 180kph. With no room for movement on the very tight confines of the iconic Guia circuit, a multi-car pile-up ensued. Such was the damage, Wootton’s Eurasia Motorsport Formula BMW FB02 was rendered a write-off.

Chris was hoping to finish off the season strongly and following practice and qualifying, everything was pointing towards an early 21st birthday present.

He was the second fastest of the regular drivers during practice and then in qualifying, placed the Eurasia machine off position number six – again the second fastest of the regular Formula BMW Pacific pilots.

Such a bruising encounter was today’s race, less than half the 22 car field greeted the chequered flag.

The season promised so much, however a great deal of bad luck befell the Queenslander throughout the year. Highlights have included pole position at Sepang and he holds the Formula BMW lap record for the Malaysian circuit.

BEHIND THE HELMET: CHRIS WOOTTON

“I’m in a bit of pain, but otherwise OK.

“I was really hoping to finish the season strongly and it looked good, but what can you do when you ‘race’ with people who drive like that? It’s been the same right throughout the year.

“Practice and Qualifying were fantastic, I was ecstatic with the pace we showed, the first and third sectors were really good, we were right on pace. The long middle sector, we were a little off the pace and that was the difference between me being further up the grid.

“We take a lot of encouragement from the year, there were lots of times we showed some good pace. The bad luck we experienced was just something else. It was just one thing after another. Let’s hope that’s my bad year out of the way and we can build from there.

“I have to thank my many supporters from Australia and also Singapore for assisting us this year, principally First Automobile, Fraser Place, Mustica Motors and my family for their unwavering support.

“My engineer, Greg Wheeler did a fantastic job in often difficult circumstances and so too Mark Goddard and the Eurasia Motorsport team.”

WHAT IS FORMULA BMW?

Formula BMW is the world’s leading entry level open-wheel Formula racing category.

The Formula BMW FB02 weighs 465kg excluding driver. It is powered by a 1.2 litre four cylinder engine which accelerates to 100kph in less than four seconds and will hit a top speed of 230kph.

All cars are identical and innovations such as the FORS (Formula Rescue Seat) were developed by BMW Motorsport specifically for Formula BMW.

Formula BMW is conducted in three territories – the United States (Formula BMW Americas), with Formula 1 Grands Prix in Europe (Formula BMW Europe) and Formula BMW Pacific in pan-Asia.

WHO IS CHRIS WOOTTON?

Chris is a 20-year-old race driver from the Brisbane suburb of Birkdale. He started karting competition in 2005 and quickly showed potential – taking out Rookie of the Year honours in two classes.

At the end of 2007, Chris underwent the Formula BMW Scholarship program. He impressed the judges with not only his ability behind the wheel, but approach to the sport and fitness. He was then offered a scholarship for the 2008 Formula BMW Pacific Series.

Finishing as the second highest Rookie in the Series and seventh overall, being offered a scholarship for the second year in succession is testament to his dedication.

Aside from motorsport, Chris takes a strong interest in a majority of sports. Taking cues from Mark Webber he concentrates on being one of the fittest drivers around, becoming a regular in the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge. In the two Challenges he has completed, he finished in front of many well-known sportsmen and adventure racers.


- Matt Payne-
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