SRFKC - Paul Cooke injured at Canadian Grand Prix

Paul Cooke injured at Canadian Grand Prix
Karters hope for a speedy recovery for key series official

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - Paul Cooke, the VP of Competition, and the Director of Karting for ASN Canada FIA was badly injured during a freak accident at the Canadian Grand Prix last weekend. Cooke was directing the movement of one of the cement barriers that outlines the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Friday morning, when the barrier suddenly fell over, trapping the 67-year-old Oakville resident underneath it.

Cooke suffered damage to his ankles, knees, chest and head. Originally he was in intensive care at a Montreal Hospital, where he underwent several surgical procedures to repair damage to his left ankle, which sustained the most damage. Since that time he has made steady progress throughout the early part of this week.

As of Tuesday, June 17, Cooke is resting comfortably in Montreal, but it will be some time before he is fully recovered. Cooke's wife Chere is with him in Montreal and she expects him to be released from the hospital early next week and be flown back to Toronto.

There has been a special email account set up for Cooke - who is able to use his computer in the hospital - for well wishers to send notes to him directly.

Cooke can be reached at getwellpaul@hotmail.com

Cooke is one of the key driving forces behind Ontario karting and the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship presented by Toronto Star Wheels and his absence from the upcoming races will be felt, but the series will continue as scheduled. Cooke is also well known throughout the world of motorsports for his dedicated work over the past 30 years.

-srfkc-