jlipper81;

David Brand in the Lotus spun in the right-hander going onto the no-name straight.....next through were a few Miatas that were nose to tail, the first went left and the second had no place to go - BAM - head on into the Lotus! The SM Miata of Ken Payson got catapulted into the air and did a complete flip coming to rest on its wheels. Richard Cullen said he had a front row seat when the car went airbourne. I came though a few seconds later and it was like a war zone...yellow flags waving, corner workers frantically running and waving their arms....then the red flag quickly displayed.

They called the race with 6 laps left on the board in lieu of the accident. Both drivers were transported to medical and believe were taken to the local medical facility in Sharon, CT. Upon leaving the track we were told that the Lotus Driver David Brand was released with no major injuries (except to his wallet). As far as Ken Payson, I am not sure if he was released but indications are that he had suffered a broken neck or back (not a 100% confirmed report). Our prayers are with both drivers for a speed recovery.

bogus wrote:
It says a lot for the structure of the cars and the GSRs.

BillH wrote:

Very,very few drivers in NASA and SCCA keep their foot in it and you see a lot of hands come up.

The following is from Kathy Barnes. I know everyone will be relieved to read this and we all wish Ken a speedy recovery.

Rich Alexander
Chief, F&C
Mohawk Hudson Region

from Kathy:
Quote:

I hate it when my friends are taken away from the track in the
ambulance and we don't find out how they are doing for a long time.
So I am passing this along to you.
Ken is at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. I visited with him
today.

Here are a few messages he would like passed along:

To everybody who helped him: Thank you for the great job. Flaggers,
EMS, the folks who got his car loaded, David & all for getting all
the gear put away, Jerry & all for taking care of the car and getting
Laurie back to central Mass.

He mentioned that when he saw the look on the woman from EMS' face he
decided to do what she told him to do - even if it meant going to the
hospital.
He also appreciates how smoothly Stan drove the ambulance so Ken did
not get car sick.

He is certain that without his head & neck restraint, he would be dead.

Then the conversation migrated to the fishing trip in Alaska that was
supposed to start today, now postponed until the silver salmon are
running next year.

He's sore, will be meeting with the doctors to discuss treatment
plans - but admits that he has learned that following their directions
usually works for the best.He's well enough to post on the board now

kenpayson wrote the following post at 08/05/2009 7:26 PM:
lime rock wreak.
Thanks guys for all your support. I cracked my C-2 vertebra,out of hospital and in a neck brace. Emergency staff did everything they were supposed to. It was my fault for getting out of the car. One look at my face and they boarded me. Six weeks expected. Effectively the season is over. Again thanks for your concern it means more than you Know.
Ken
P.S. I have a slightly used back board if any one is intrested.

CentralCoaster wrote:

What's the deal with the slow Miatas? I assume they weren't up to speed, that's kinda scary coming up on them with that much speed.

CentralCoaster wrote:
Ugh. I figured they'd have different classes or something. So can I sign up with my pickup and be a rolling roadblock?