JAMES WINSLOW ON ROAD TO RECOVER AFTER GULF 12 HOUR CRASH

James Winslow racing at the Gulf 12 Hour prior to his crash – Photo: LAT

BRITISH BORN, now naturalised Australian James Winslow faces an arduous recovery following his huge crash at Yas Marina late last year, and has set his sights on competing in the Le Mans 24 Hour mid-year.

Winslow was competing in the Gulf 12 Hour in an LMP3 car along with Neale Muston and John Corbett when, with Winslow at the wheel, it had a major brake failure at 240kmh and hit a tyre wall head-on, impacting at 41Gs.

Winslow suffered major injuries, which included two fractures of the spine (L1 fractured top and bottom), cracked chest/sternum, a fractured wrist, internal bruising, concussion, plus multiple cuts and abrasions.

“Lucky for me, my HANS device and the unbelievable strength of the LMP3 car saved my life,” Winslow said despite the severity of the accident.

“Once I was out of the car I passed out!”

The current 2017 FRD LMP3 champion and two-time Australian Drivers Champion was rushed to Abu Dhabi hospital and was likely to be there well into the New Year. But he checked himself out and returned to Australia on Christmas Eve.

“It’s been the most painful experience of my life, but I’ll be back stronger than ever and ready in time for Le Mans this year,” he asserted.

James Winslow in hospital after his crash – Photo: Supplied

Before that though, he has been fitted with a full-body brace and instructed to lay on his back completely flat for another five weeks – to stop him bending his body and doing further damage to his back.

He expects the recovery period will take around three months and he will start rehab shortly with the South Sydney NRL team’s physiotherapist.

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