Superbike racer Vincent Haskovec suffered serious injuries Saturday at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., when he lost control of his bike during the formula xtreme race. He underwent surgery this week to stabilize his back.
Haskovec shattered the T6 vertebra and is paralyzed from the chest down, according to the Team Hammer website. He has use of his hands, says Donnie Clark, media manager for AMA Superbike Championship.
Haskovec, 31, also suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung and a broken collarbone when he went back-first into a steel barrier fronted by tires. The motorcycle then slammed into the Czech Republic native. He was traveling in excess of 100 mph.
Haskovec was transferred to a rehabilitation center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday.
Soft barriers were not in place at Turn 5, where Haskovec hit, but they were at other points on the track.
Haskovec was second in points in the superstock division heading into the races at Sonoma, having won at Daytona International Speedway.
Mike Barnes will ride for Haskovec this weekend at Pikes Peak International Raceway.
