BBC Sportmotorsport

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 12:17 GMT, Monday, 7 June 2010 13:17 UK

Mike Conway wants quick return after Indy 500 crash

Mike Conway
Conway is in his second season of Indy Car racing

Mike Conway says he cannot wait to race again despite a horrific crash in the United States.

The 26-year-old from Sevenoaks was lucky to survive the accident on the final lap of the Indianapolis 500.

Conway escaped with a broken leg but stressed the incident had not affected his appetite for racing.

He said: "I can't wait to get back, hopefully it will be only two or three months. It makes you realise you're human and not invincible."

Conway smashed into a fence in a spectacular crash which has become one of the most watched pieces of motorsport video on the internet.

"Whenever I turn the TV on it's on talk shows. People keep texting me saying I was on the news," he said.

It was a horrific accident. Although he didn't physically walk away he is in one piece and we are all very thankful for that

Conway's manager, Mark Blundell

"It's unbelievable I got that coverage. It's strange getting famous for a massive crash but that's part of the sport."

Conway is in his second year on the Indy Car series in the United States after a successful spell in the United Kingdom where he was Formula Renault champion in 2004, British Formula 3 champion in 2006, and competed in the GP2 series.

He has also spent time testing in Formula One.

His manager, ex-Formula One driver Mark Blundell, told BBC Radio Kent he is not surprised at Conway's determination to get back in a racing car as soon as he can.

He said: "It was a horrific accident. Although he didn't physically walk away he is in one piece and we are all very thankful for that.

"I'm very happy that he has such a positive frame of mind but there are an important few months ahead of him yet.

"It could have been a lot worse. When you see a racing car at 200 miles per hour it is supposed to be on the ground, not in the air. He's a very lucky boy indeed."

I have to feel quite lucky to come away with just a broken leg

Mike Conway

Conway is in his second season for Dreyer and Reinbold racing and has finished in the top 10 of three Indy Car races this season.

He said: "It does happen like that when people go up into the fence, there have been fatalities and I have to feel quite lucky to come away with just a broken leg.

"I didn't get any heavy impact on my head. All credit to the crew for making the series safer, with the safer barriers and making the car safer each year.

"It's quite a humbling experience I suppose. It's hard to tear me away from racing, that's for sure. This is what I do, I love doing it and I can't see myself stopping."

"I'd just like to thank everyone for being so supportive after the accident."



Print Sponsor


see also
Webber supports Conway's F1 bid
10 Nov 08 |  Motorsport
Franchitti claims second Indy 500
30 May 10 |  Motorsport
Franchitti to start third in Indy
23 May 10 |  Motorsport
Franchitti regains IndyCar title
11 Oct 09 |  Motorsport
Franchitti starts third at Indy
09 May 09 |  Motorsport
Franchitti sets up IndyCar return
02 Sep 08 |  Motorsport
Franchitti loses drive in Nascar
02 Jul 08 |  Motorsport


related bbc links:

related internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites