More than three years after his serious IndyCar accident, Robert Wickens will race again for the first time this month at Daytona
Robert Wickens will make his comeback as a racing driver before the end of January 2022. More than three years after his serious IndyCar accident at Pocono, the Canadian will take part in a touring car race as part of the 24 Hours of Daytona – in a converted Hyundai Elantra TCR in which Wickens can control the accelerator and brake by hand on the steering wheel.
“For many nights I have dreamed of this moment and with the support of Bryan Herta and Hyundai it is now becoming a reality,” said Wickens. “I am even hungrier now than I was before my accident to fight for victories again!”
Wickens had suffered numerous broken bones in the accident in August 2018, including fractures to his spine that led to paraplegia. After a long rehabilitation, the former DTM driver had tested a Hyundai from Bryan Hertha’s team for the first time in May 2021, which had been converted to manual control.
First test in May 2021
Eight months later, his return to racing will now be a reality at the IMSA-Michelin Pilot Challenge 4-hour race on 28 January. “I’m really looking forward to integrating with the entire Bryan Herta Autosport team and finally getting my first experience driving the Hyundai Elantra N TCR,” said Wickens.
Bryan Herta, whose team has successfully fielded Hyundai TCR cars in North America for years, is delighted to be able to help Wickens make the comeback. “Today is a monumental day for us as a team and as fans of Robert Wickens,” said the former IndyCar driver. “We have followed Robert’s rehabilitation and admired his determination and dedication, as well as his many, many fans.”
“To now announce that he will be celebrating his return to professional motorsport in one of our Hyundai Elantra N TCR cars is truly incredible. We thank Hyundai for their great support and for helping us pave a way for Robert to return to where he belongs,” Hertha continued.
Gas and brake are controlled on the steering wheel
The system developed for Wickens consists of a metal ring behind the steering wheel, connected to the brake pedal by a series of rods, which is pulled with the fingers to activate the brake. Two interconnected throttle and shift paddles, also located behind the steering wheel, allow the driver to accelerate, shift gears and operate the steering.
Mark Wilkins, with whom Wickens will share the car in the 4-hour race, can deactivate the system and operate the car normally. It is not the first time that drivers with and without disabilities have shared a car in an endurance race.
For example, Alessandro Zanardi drove the 24-hour races at Spa-Francorchamps and Daytona together with non-disabled drivers. Gustav Engljähringer from Switzerland, who is dependent on a wheelchair, has also been successfully competing in endurance races for many years, including on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.
