DaMatta’s car withdrawn from Grand Prix of Denver

LOVELAND, Colo., Aug. 5, 2006, 2:30 pm EDT – Champ Car World Series driver Cristiano da Matta (#10 RuSPORT Ford-Cosworth / Lola / Bridgestone) remains in intensive care at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, Wisc., as he recovers from a head injury he suffered after colliding with a deer that had run onto the track near Turn Six at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. on Thursday afternoon.

Dr. Chris Pinderski, Champ Car World Series director of Medical Affairs, released the following statement from the hospital: “Cristiano da Matta remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Theda Clark Medical Center under the direct care of Randall R. Johnson M.D., Ph.D. from the Neuroscience Group of Northeast Wisconsin. Repeat CT scans show no further bleeding but Cristiano does have some cerebral adema, which is swelling of the brain itself. This is common with significant head injuries and was expected in this situation. His condition has stabilized but he will remain under heavy sedation as his recovery process continues.”

Updates concerning da Matta’s condition will be released when they become available.

Yesterday, RuSPORT announced that it has withdrawn the No. 10 RuSPORT Champ Car from competition in the Grand Prix of Denver, which will take place on Sunday, Aug. 13. Da Matta’s teammate, Justin Wilson (#9 CDW / RuSPORT Ford-Cosworth / Lola / Bridgestone) will compete in the Grand Prix of Denver as scheduled.