The HSV Dealer Team has confirmed that the extent of Paul Radisich's injuries stretches to both ankles, rather than the one reported initially, and that the #15 car will play no further part in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 weekend.
Kiwi veteran Radisich was involved in a single-car accident during Saturday morning practice, leaving the circuit and making heavy impact with a concrete wall at Skyline after skipping over the gravel trap.
Immediately attended to by the Mount Panorama circuit's medical team, Radisich was not in any danger, but had clearly suffered leg injuries. These were initially reported as a badly fractured right ankle, but the HSV team has since released a statement confirming that the New Zealander also suffered a dislocation to his left ankle. Radisich, who also suffered a major impact at the same circuit in 2006, was airlifted to the nearby Orange hospital for further examination.
Damage to the #15 Commodore which Radisich was sue to share with former V8 Supercars champion Rick Kelly means that the car has officially been withdrawn from the event - but that does not mean that Kelly will not be taking part.
Having admitted in the run-up to the race that winning at Bathurst was now his main goal for the season, Kelly will, 'due to exceptional circumstances', be allowed to partner regular HSV team-mate Paul Dumbrell in the #16 Autobarn-backed Commodore. David Reynolds, who had been slated to partner Dumbrell, has been on a drip for much of the weekend after contracting a viral infection, and was unlikely to take part in Sunday's race anyway.
The team, which confirmed suspicions that the #15 car's throttle had jammed at the top of the Mountain, has promised to provide further details of Radisich's condition as information becomes available.
