WTCC Macau News: Thomo to miss Macau Ghia race as Lada destroyed beyond repair.

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Touring car times:

James Thompson, Gabriele Tarquini and Yvan Muller have been released from the hospital in Macau. The trio were involved in accidents during the qualifying for the final round of the World Touring Car Championship 2009 at Macau.
By Johan Meissner Friday, 20 November 2009 13:30 CET
An official statement on the three drivers read:

"All examinations and scans were clear and the three drivers were discharged.
They will be checked again by the FIA doctor tomorrow at 17.00 in the circuit's medical centre to be cleared for racing on Sunday."

Thompson's accident was the biggest as he crashed in to the back of the stationary BMW of Stefano D'Aste (who had left the car earlier).

Muller and Tarquini's crashes were linked to Thompson's as Muller lost control on the slippery surface of the corner where Thompson had crashed earlier.

Tarquini was unable to detect Muller in time and crashed in to his team mate.

Many teams face a hectic time ahead of the two races on Sunday to be able to repair all the damage.

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dam, those things are mangled.

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James Thompson will miss Sunday's World Touring Car races at Macau following his crash in qualifying on Friday.

Autosport.

James Thompson will miss Sunday's World Touring Car races at Macau following his crash in qualifying on Friday.

The Briton crashed into the abandoned BMW of Stefano D'Aste at Faraway Bend after the independent racer had spun and bailed out of his car.

Thompson was taken to hospital on Friday and although he was later released he is having to use crutches due to the bruising on his feet.

He would have been unable to race anyway since his Lada was damaged beyond repair in the impact.

"I wish to thank the medical staff because they were very efficient and professional," said Thompson.

"I also wish to thank Stefano D'Aste, who stayed with me all the time. I appreciated it a lot, especially because after the crash I momentarily lost my sight."

D'Aste will also miss Sunday's races because his car was too badly damaged, as will Lada's Kirill Ladygin, who crashed at Mandarin during qualifying.


Muller, Tarquini cleared to race

By Steven English Saturday, November 21st 2009, 11:32 GMT

Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini with the FIA WTCC medical crewWorld Touring Car title rivals Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini have both been cleared to race at Macau tomorrow, following their accident in qualifying on Friday.

Both drivers were taken to hospital after their high-speed impact when Muller spun on cement dust and was hit by Tarquini. But they were discharged on Friday evening with no serious injuries and passed fitness tests at the circuit on Saturday.

"Physically I feel a bit stiff, but fortunately we have had one day to recover so I hope that tomorrow I wake up a little bit better," said Tarquini.

"The car was destroyed so I thought it was impossible to make the races but the mechanics said not to worry and they repaired it."

Muller said: "I am able to race. I feel well but for some muscular pains, I fold but I don't break. Macau is impossible to predict so I don't like to guess what might happen tomorrow."

Both cars were repaired through the night and the engine in Tarquini's was changed. He will not be penalised because the regulations allow engine changes after big accidents.

"Gabriele's car was not so bad," said SEAT Sport technical director Benoit Bagur. "Yvan's had suffered more substantial damage, especially at the rear. We had to take out the roll cage to repair the chassis. But both cars are like new now."

Tarquini lies two points ahead of Muller heading into Sunday's showdown, with BMW's Augusto Farfus another 11 behind.