Amanda Whitaker suffered a huge crash at Mallory Park this weekend in the HSCC Formula Ford Championship.

She started from 3rd position and made a good getaway at the lights to run alongside Westie Mitchell into the first corner Gerrards, but Westie missed a gear on the exit, selecting 2nd instead of 4th gear from 3rd. This locked up the rear of the car & pitched it sideways, clouting the front left corner of Amanda's car & badly damaging the nose cone. 

Amanda continued at a much slower pace, letting cars past as she was concerned the damage might overheat the engine.

Unbeknown to Amanda, Westie had then been hit by Diogo Ferrao with the two cars piling heavily into the barriers. As the leaders were approaching the start / finish line, the red flag was shown to stop the race due to Westie's crash. However, due to the damaged nose & concern for her water temperatures, Amanda missed sight of one of the cars immediately slowing in front of her. She ploughed into the back of David Wild's Lola at around 90mph, launching her into the air and into a horrific cartwheel. Her helmet hit the tarmac a few times as the car hit the ground but thankfully she managed to climb out of the wreck and suffered no concussion.

She was taken to Leicester Infirmary Hospital with injuries to her legs, including lacerations. Although x-rays showed nothing broken, she was kept in overnight due to the extensive bruising & concerns for the severe swelling to her left leg. She was released on Monday at 4pm but has to walk with crutches, although she hopes to make a full recovery in time. Westie & Diogo were also admitted to the same hospital. Westie has one cracked & one compressed vertebrae in his spine as well as 2 fractures to his wrist & cuts to his chin & back of his head from flying bodywork. He was hoping to be released from hospital mid-week. Diogo was suspected to have a broken leg, but thankfully was diagnosed with just heavy bruising & was released that evening. All 3 drivers were more concerned for their fellow competitors health than their own, but were in good spirits despite the ordeal.

"I would like to thank all of the people who have offered their well wishes & offers of support. The marshals did a great job in difficult circumstances. I also wish Westie & Diogo a speedy recovery & look forward to once again battling on track with them" said Amanda.

Amanda's Elden was 90% destroyed in the accident, leaving both Amanda & her team a race against time & finances to get ready for her next race at Oulton Park in HSCC Formula Ford in 3 weeks time. She is currently lying 2nd in the points table, fighting to be the first female to win a National Formula Ford Championship. Anybody looking to help Amanda can email her at: mail@amandawhitaker.com