Driver hurt in drama at hill race
Man, 74, thrown from car
A 74–year-old man had to be airlifted to hospital after being thrown from his car during a motorsport event near Doune.
The man had been competing in the season opener of the Doune Hill Climb event.
The event, organised by Lothian Car Club, was taking place on Saturday and Sunday and saw drivers tackle a 1350-metre track, near Carse of Cambus.
However, racing was cut short on both days due to accidents.
On Sunday, 74–year old Felix Sear’s vintage car tipped over, causing him to fall out of the vehicle and on to the track.
It’s understood that the vintage vehicle did not have a seat belt. The event was suspended as an air ambulance was dispatched to ferry the racer to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he remains with a suspected broken wrist and facial injuries and a blood clot .
On Saturday, another racer, Keith Rose crashed, damaging around 25 feet of protective fencing around the track. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were sent out to the incident at around 12.25pm.
With each of the two major incidents taking time to clear, the decision was made to cut both days short.
Lothian Car Club chairman and clerk of the course Tim Thomson said: ”Firstly, I would like to thank the team at Lothian Car Club, Scottish Motorsport Marshals Dunblane Scouts and the volunteers who helped over the recent event at Doune which was I can say one of the most challenging we have faced.
“I know all of you have been asking about the welfare of Felix following his incident. He remains in hospital for observation as he has a small blood clot. There is no need to operate and his facial injuries should heal without the need for intervention.
“I would like to apologise for the decisions taken on both Saturday and Sunday to curtail the event. I’m sure people understand that we would not want to do this without good reason and conscious of time restraints, fatigue and emotional stress, I take responsibility for the welfare of all.”
With the difficult circumstances of the weekend’s event behind them, the car club now have one eye on its upcoming 50th anniversary, with a celebration event planned for June 24 and 25.