Elghanayan’s GT4 Season Cut Short by Shoulder Injury

Photo: Gavin Baker/SRO

Nicolai Elghanayan has withdrawn from the rest of the Pirelli GT4 America Sprint season after sustaining a shoulder injury that will require surgery and four months of recovery.

Driving a KTM X-Bow GT4 run by Marco Polo Motorsports, Elghanayan is eighth in the GT4 America Sprint standings after the first nine races, having won Race 1 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

He injured his shoulder in a volleyball game recently, forcing him to miss of the rest of the season, which includes races at Watkins Glen, Road America and Las Vegas.

“I’m extremely disappointed to have to sit out the remainder of the year,” he said Elghanayan.

“However, my recovery is my top priority. I’d rather get the surgery done and focus on a full recovery than to race with a bad shoulder and risk further injury.

“I’ll begin rehab immediately and look forward to coming back stronger in 2020.”

In addition to what was set to be his first full season in GT4 America competition, Elghanayan made a cameo appearance alongside KTM factory driver Mads Siljehaug in the GT4 European Series at Zandvoort last month, finishing third on his series debut.

Pirelli GT4 America will get back underway after a six-week break on Aug. 30 – Sept. 1 at Watkins Glen.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.