Sports/Olympics / Motor Racing

da Matta stable after race car hits deer
(AP)
Updated: 2006-08-06 09:57

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. - Champ Car driver Cristiano da Matta's condition has stabilized but he remains in intensive care with a head injury after a collision with a deer at Road America.

Multiple CT scans reveal no further bleeding in his head but there is swelling of the brain as doctors expected, said Dr. Chris Pinderski, Champ Car World Series director of medical affairs.

"His condition has stabilized but he will remain under heavy sedation as his recovery process continues," Pinderski said Saturday in a statement.

The deer wandered onto the track during a test session at Road America on Thursday

Da Matta was unconscious when he was airlifted to Theda Clark Memorial Hospital in Neenah after the crash, Champ Car series spokesman Steve Shunck said.

Da Matta had to have surgery to remove a ruptured blood vessel in his head after the accident

The collision was "a completely freaky thing," Road America media director Julie Sebranek said Friday.

An 8-foot chain link fence topped with barbed wire circles the 628-acre Road America property, which is surrounded by wooded terrain and farm fields.

When asked how the deer got onto the property, Sebranek said, "They have been known to jump the 8-foot fences."

The 32-year-old Da Matta a native of Brazil who lives in Miami, has 12 career Champ Car victories, including four straight wins in his championship season of 2002 to tie a series record.

After competing in Formula One during 2003 and 2004, he returned to Champ Car last year and tied for 11th in the standings. He is sixth in the standings this season after finishing second in last Sunday's race in San Jose, Calif.

RuSPORT said Saturday da Matta's teammate, Justin Wilson, will compete in the Grand Prix of Denver Sunday, Aug. 13 as scheduled.