Noda released from hospital.

Indy Racing League rookie Hideki Noda completed a remarkable escape from his lap 164 accident with Tomas Scheckter by gaining a clean bill of health from the nearby Loma Linda University Hospital.

The Japanese driver slammed into the back of Scheckter's slowing Red Bull Dallara-Infiniti after apparently being unsighted by traffic late in the 400-mile race at California Speedway. The impact was sufficient to send his Convergent Racing machine hard into the outside turn four wall, ripping off most of the right side. Ablaze from an oil leak, the G-Force-Chevrolet then came to rest on the infield, from where Noda was transferred to hospital.

Although he was initially complaining of back pains, the former F1 driver was released from the doctors' care late last night, and should be able to race in round four at Nazareth next month.

Scheckter was shaken but unhurt in the incident, which occurred as he was hobbled by suspected engine problems having run strongly to that point.