TVR/EBC Brakes Yamaha’s Zac Chapman Critically Injured at VIR

LEEDS, Va. — Zac Chapman, a WERA racer and team rider for TVR/EBC Brakes Yamaha, was critically injured in a sprint race on Saturday during WERA’s Cycle Jam at Virginia International Raceway.

Chapman supported TVR during the endurance race on Friday, although he opted not to ride. He is recovering from a broken ankle and felt the hour-long stints might be too strenuous. After the endurance race, Chapman stayed to compete on his own bikes throughout the remainder of the weekend. During his first race on Saturday, Chapman crashed in turn six; it was a single-bike incident.

Chapman received head and neck injuries in the crash. He was initially lucid, but he was taken to the hospital in nearby Danville as a precaution. After arriving there, however, his condition declined and he was airlifted to the Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia.

As of Sunday night, Chapman is in a coma due to his injuries—including fluid buildup inside his skull—and is listed in critical condition. He has already undergone two surgeries to relieve the pressure in his skull and to accommodate swelling. More information will be released as it becomes available.

Chapman’s family is by his side, and they, along with his TVR teammates, request prayers and thoughts for his recovery. “Zac is more than a teammate; he’s also a good friend,” said TVR team owner Chuck Ivey. “The whole team is pulling for him.”

Anyone who wishes to send cards should address them to:
Carilion Clinic
Zac Chapman, Room 972
P.O. Box 13367
Roanoke, VA 24033

Today’s Motourage video of the day is Gearlink Kawasaki’s Chris Martin flying over the barriers at Hawthorn bend during the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport race this past weekend at Brands Hatch.  The crash resulted in little more than a broken ankle.  A painful injury, but it obviously could have been much much worse.

I don’t think any more words are necessary for this video.

The Motourage team is back from vacation, and we’re bringing you the newest edition of the Motourage Video of the Day.  Today’s video features the action-packed, dangerous sport of sidecar racing.

In World Superbike race #1 yesterday from Brno, Czech Republic, Ben Spies took the lead before Michel Fabrizio on the #84 Ducati made his move on lap #4. Fabrizio, going inside of Spies for the lead, lost his front end, lowsiding his Ducati and taking out himself and Spies. Spies was understandably upset, as was Michel. Before race #2, Fabrizio, sitting inside his garage, held up a hand-made sign that read “Ben Spies I Love You.” Max Biaggi took the opportunity to give Aprilia its first race win since 2001.
It was all Ben Spies in race #2, as Ben took to the front and never let up as Fabrizio and Biaggi fought for the second spot. Biaggi beat Fabrizio for second, and Rea, Checa, Haga, Sykes, Byrne, Smrz and Corser rounded out the top 10.
World Superbike will enjoy more than a month off before they take to Germany’s Nurbugring on Sep 4-6.

Today’s Motourage Video of the Day features Casey Stoner’s crash during qualifying for the MotoGP 2009 British Grand Prix at Donington Park.  This is the final year Donington will be included on the MotoGP schedule, as the British GP moves to Silverstone, swapping places with Formula 1 for 2010.