Event Coverage: Carnage at X Games 18 Rallycross

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Following his initial assessment doctors announced Gronholm was alert and talking, but that they would not be releasing him from the hospital and would be keeping him for further observation and testing. Though his condition had improved overnight doctors want to monitor Gronholm for any long term repercussions from his injuries – specifically the bone compression he suffered that will need special treatment. Doctors also wanted to do a full body scan and other related tests to confirm that Gronholm had full limb mobility – just as a precautionary check. After two days of medical attention and rest, Gronholm was making good progress.

 

 

The carnage continued when Travis Pastrana was rear-ended by Andy Scott.  Travis was on a good run trying to unseat teammate Bryce Menzies before the incident that sling shotted him right into the turn-1  tire wall at at close to 60mph.  Menzies, who is a newcomer to rally car racing and a friend of Pastrana's, was willing to give up his Dodge Dart for the rest of the day to assist Pastrana. Unfortunately X Games rules require each driver to finish the day in the same car they started in, which put an end to Pastrana's chances to qualify for the main event.

 

 

In Sunday's gold medal final Sebastian Loeb made his United States X Games debut. The eight-time World Rally Champion who drives the Citroen DS3 XL drove a phenomenal six laps leaping his way to victory for the gold medal (with a margin of victory of 12.23 seconds!). Ken Block finished in the silver medal position after dealing with a flat tire in the rear which left him accelerating and turning the last three laps on a bare rim. Brian Deegan claimed the bronze medal finishing .42 of a second behind his teammate in the Ford Fiesta in the RallyCross final.

 

 

 

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