Injured rider out of danger

Press, 19 April 1989, Page 72

Injured rider out of danger

NZPA-Reuter Monterey, California The Grand Prix circuit for 500 cc motor-cycles moved yesterday from its stop in the United States for Europe, but left three riders behind in hospital. They included a world champion rider, a young rider challenging for this year’s title and a promising rookie, all hurt in Grand Prix events on Sunday. The American rookie, Bubba Shobert, the most seriously hurt, remained in critical but stable condition with a head injury in San Jose hospital where he was taken by helicopter on Sunday. While his condition was no longer considered life threatening, doctors said the extent of his injuries may not be known for four to five days. Australia’s Wayne Gardner, the 1987 world champion who was runner-up in the over-all standings to American Eddie Lawson' last year, remained in a Monterey hospital near the Laguna Seca Raceway course where Sunday’s United States Grand Prix was run.

Gardner was treated for a broken bone in his lower left leg after he crashed on the eleventh lap of the 40lap race, which was won by an American, Wayne Rainey, a Yamaha rider who leads the series points standings. A hospital spokesman said Gardner was in good condition and was expected to be released today.