Injured sidecar star targets return to racing at TT
Sidecar star Dipash Chauhan is determined to make the 2011 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy despite suffering a broken leg on Sunday.
Chauhan, who is due to partner Simon Neary in the Dave Hudspeth Carpets/Nick Crowe Racing team, is recovering in hospital after a crash at Cadwell Park at the weekend.
He underwent an operation on Monday and has been told it could be between three and six months before he is fit enough to race again.
However, the 29-year-old, in an exclusive interview with iomtt.com from his hospital, said he is going to do everything he can to make the TT.
He plans to travel to the Isle of Man next week to use the Hyperbaric Chamber as part of his recuperation, after taking advice from Vicky Radcliffe, the sports massage therapist who worked with Nicky Crowe following his horrific accident at the TT in 2009.
Chauhan said:
“At the moment I have got to try. I have put too much into it to turn my back now, but I want to make sure I’m 100 per cent first.”
Neary and Chauhan had just set pole position during qualifying on Sunday when the crash happened. The passenger was taken to hospital where it was discovered he had broken his left femur.
On Monday he underwent surgery to repair the damage, including having a titanium rod inserted.
Although some medics have ruled him out of racing for at least three months, Chauhan is going to try everything to return to fitness with the next 26 days so he can make the TT.
He said:
“Now I’m waiting, I’m just getting on with it.”
“I’m feeling all right. I’ve managed to put some weight on it, I’ve tried a bit of physio and I’ve been moving a bit on crutches. It has been hard though.”
“The doctors don’t really know, but they say three to six months. I’ve been speaking to Nicky Crowe’s therapist and she reckons that if I do lots of time in the hyperbaric chamber and a couple of sport massage and exercise sessions a day that could bring the swelling down, which is one of the main problems.”
“I could be all right for the TT, that’s the aim. I want to travel over to the Isle of Man on Monday to get into the Hyperbaric Chamber. I have got three weeks and will put the effort in.”
Despite his ambitions, Chauhan appreciates it will be a tall order to be fit enough to contest the TT alongside Neary, and confirmed a replacement is waiting in the wings.
He also passed on his thanks to all the well-wishers who have made contact since the crash.
Chauhan said:
"Thanks to Adam Emsley at Q8Oils, Nicky Crowe and Dave Hudspeth, and friends Tim Reeves and Toni McLoughlin, who are all behind me, and many others from the sidecar world, including old drivers Carl Fenwick and Nigel Connole!"