Patterson Sustains Pelvic Fractures in Testing Accident

Photo: MPS Agency

Mark Patterson has been ruled out of this weekend’s European Le Mans Series round at Monza, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, following a heavy crash in testing on Wednesday at the Italian circuit.

Patterson lost control of the No. 25 Algarve Pro Racing Oreca 07 Gibson on the front straight, which saw the South African’s car slam into the team’s sister No. 31 Oreca of Tacksung Kim.

The impact resulted in a fractured pelvis “in three places” according to the 67-year-old, who is recovering in a Monza hospital.

“The sad and disappointing result is that I obviously won’t be racing this weekend… or at the holiest of racing shrines: Le Mans next month,” Patterson wrote in his email newsletter.

“That’s a really sad consequence, but like so many things in life, that’s how the cards fall.

“I can’t wait to see how John Falb and Andrea manhandle our really solid car on Sunday.”

It’s understood his co-drivers Falb and Andrea Pizzitola will race on Sunday, with the car having been repaired in four hours, according to team principal Stewart Cox.

The team’s No. 31 car, meanwhile, has been a write-off from the accident although a spare chassis has been sourced for this weekend.

Official track action gets underway on Friday, with the Four Hours of Monza set for a 12 p.m. local start on Sunday.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John