Morris back home, but with broken back
3/8/2000 12:26 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) - Paul Morris will defy doctors orders to race at Calder Park in just over a fortnight’s time after x-rays revealed he had sustained three broken vertebrae in his terrifying Oran Park crash last Sunday.
Morris was still on four wheels when he arrived back to the Gold Coast yesterday, albeit a wheelchair, after being released from Sydney’s Liverpool hospital yesterday morning.
Doctors recommended Morris rest for at least six weeks after confirming the three broken vertebrae, however Morris insists he will race at Calder if he feels well enough.
"I'll be doing everything possible not to miss any races, whether it's Super Touring or V8s,” Morris said.
"My back has been really sore since the crash, and x-rays confirmed I'd broken three vertebrae.”
"It hurts when I walk, but I think I can race before six weeks is up although there could still be some pain."
"I'll be getting the best possible treatment from specialists to speed up my recovery," he said.
Morris sustained the injuries after a fire extinguisher collided into the back of his seat when Mark Larkham’s Falcon ploughed into the rear of Morris’ car on the Oran Park startline in the third race on Sunday.
A ruptured fuel tank provided the propellant for a massive inferno which both drivers were lucky to escape from.
"I knew it was the biggest crash I'd ever had in a race car, but the worst part was when I saw the flames because I just had to get out of there even though my back was hurting," Morris explained.
"I can't remember too much more until I was lying on the ground and the medical people were treating me before they took me to hospital."
"Crashes are part of racing and you have to accept what happens – being realistic it could have been worse if I hadn't been able to get out of the car," he said.
The Victorian born, Gold Coast residing racer will campaign his second Big Kev VS Commodore should he make the grid for Calder, after destroying his other car in the incident.
Plans to take delivery of the HRT Young Lion VT Commodore have been scrapped after the Factory team decided to hold-on to the car until the end of the season.
Morris also hopes to be well enough to defend his Australian Super Touring Championship lead at Winton on August 27.
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