Accident dents title bid

Motorsport

Faversham racer Stuart Emery’s hopes of regaining his MSA Supernational Rallycross Championship title have been all but dashed due to a cycling accident.

The Peugeot 206 driver, who currently stands sixth in the championship, sustained a broken collarbone, a punctured lung and three broken ribs.

Emery told the British Rallycross Championship website: “In an effort to keep up with the young guys last year, I took up road cycling to get fitter. But I went on a new route for a practice ride ahead of a charity event the following week and crashed.

“As I went round a corner there was a load of gravel in the middle of the road and I tried to right the bike but in doing so hit the bank on the outside which flipped me up in the air and I came straight down on my head and shoulder.”

The 44-year-old, who spent four days in hospital following the accident, added: “They told me it will take about 12 weeks to heal but my collarbone is restricting movement. That needs to be addressed before I can compete again.

“I’m desperate to race at Lydden, my home event, but I think the odds for that are very long at the moment. Realistically if I can come out later this year, I’d love to do the Grand Prix weekend at Croft.

“Now it’s down to whether my health will allow it. I’m gutted, but we will be fighting fit for next season – I’m looking forward to being back as soon as I can.”

With Emery ruling himself out of the next round in Belgium, Canterbury racer Simon Ovenden, who is seven points shy of Ashford’s Nathan Heathcote at the top of the Swift Sport Rallycross Championship, will be looking to continue his impressive rookie year.

Meanwhile, brother Tristan Ovenden will also be heading across the Channel as he competes in the Super 1600 class.

The fifth round of the MSA British Rallycross Championship will be at Maasmechelen on July 16-17 and will be back at Lydden Hill on Monday, August 29.