Champ Car driver Cristiano da Matta suffered serious head injuries Thursday when he hit a deer that had wandered onto the racetrack during testing at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
Da Matta, the 2002 series champion who joined Loveland-based RuSport in June, is coming off a runner-up finish at San Jose on Sunday and was looking forward to competing for his Colorado team at next weekend’s Grand Prix of Denver.
Da Matta was unconscious when he was airlifted to Theda Clark Memorial Hospital in Neenah, Wis., and remained so late Thursday, Champ Car spokesman Steve Shunck said.
De Matta, a 32-year-old Brazilian, underwent surgery for a subdural hematoma and was under observation in the hospital’s intensive care unit, said Champ Car medical director Dr. Chris Pinderski.
“We’re just waiting to hear. …” RuSport spokesman Gary Mason said. “We don’t know how serious it is, other than it’s serious.”
RuSport said updates on da Matta’s condition would be released when they become available.
Mason, speaking from team headquarters in Loveland, said there was no warning the deer had entered the racetrack.
“The indications are that the deer ran out there so fast that it didn’t allow anyone to give a warning,” he said.
According to SpeedTV.com, da Matta was heading into turn six at the 14-turn, 4-mile track when he struck the deer head-on. The deer slid into the cockpit and Da Matta smashed into a tire barrier.
RuSport said driver Justin Wilson will not take part in today’s final day of testing at the track.
Da Matta, tied for sixth in the standings, left Champ Car after 2002 and drove for Toyota in Formula One in 2003 and 2004.
Staff writer Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
