[Stevensville Mike]

Let us all hope for the best for this guy after the horrific crash at Pocono this season.

An update from Robert himself:

Robert Wickens gives more detail of 'paraplegic' status and prognosis

Injured IndyCar driver Robert Wickens has offered more detail on his definition of himself as a paraplegic in his recent posts on social media.

A spinal cord injury was among the severe injuries Wickens sustained in his horrific accident at Pocono in August.

On Friday a video showing Wickens levering himself from seat to wheelchair was accompanied by text that included the sentence "did my first slide transfer as a paraplegic today".

The 2018 rookie of the year then felt compelled to issue a further social media post later in the day emphasising that his current paralysis is not necessarily permanent.

Wickens tweeted that he wanted "to clarify a few things" because "there seems to be some confusion about what the word 'paraplegic' really means" while emphasising his gratitude for the support he has received.

"There was no 'announcement' to confirm I was paralysed," the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver added in an extended post.

"I've been paralysed the moment I hit the fence pole in Pocono.

"We were very clear that I had a spinal cord injury in the press release issued by SPM, but I guess people are not aware of what that means and are just speculating.

"'Paralysed' and 'paraplegic' are paralysis from the level of injury on the lower half. I'm paralysed from the chest down.

"People may not be paraplegics forever. Since my spinal cord injury was 'incomplete' the nerves may be able to find a way back to my legs.

"Incomplete means the spinal cord was not severed, it was only bruised.

"In months' time the swelling will go down and we will learn more on how much nerve regeneration happens.

"The doctors have told us every SCI [spinal cord injury] is different.

"Two people with the same injury may heal differently. One may walk again and one may not. Each body heals differently.

"So we cannot tell you a definitive answer if I will walk again. But I have full intentions of doing just that!

"The good news is, I already have most feeling and some movement back in my legs, so there is hope over the course of 24 months that I may regain enough movement to walk again!

"So far the signs are promising, but I'm trying not to get ahead of myself!

"I am just keeping my head down and working until my therapist and doctors tell me to stop!

"Thank you all for your support! And I hope this has brought some clarity on all of this."

Wickens concluded by joking "sorry for the long read".

Having begun his rehabilitation in Indianapolis, Wickens has recently been transferred to Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado, which specialises in recovery from spinal and brain injuries.

The 29-year-old Canadian was sixth in the IndyCar standings in his debut season prior to his accident and ended the year still classified 11th.


https://www.autosport.com/indycar/ne...aplegic-status

[jjones752]

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports will host its first-ever garage sale at its race shop on November 3rd. The sale, which benefits Sam Schmidt’s charity – Conquer Paralysis Now, will run from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. selling items including race wheels, bodywork, springs and gears, some of which will be signed by IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe.

SPM is encouraging shoppers to bring non-perishable food items for its food drive which will be donated to a central Indiana food bank. (Suggested food items: coffee, pasta, oatmeal, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, sugar salt and pepper.)

Never a more timely or poignant cause; get well soon, Robert!

[BrentTFunk]

Originally Posted by jjones752 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports will host its first-ever garage sale at its race shop on November 3rd. The sale, which benefits Sam Schmidt’s charity – Conquer Paralysis Now, will run from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. selling items including race wheels, bodywork, springs and gears, some of which will be signed by IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe. SPM is encouraging shoppers to bring non-perishable food items for its food drive which will be donated to a central Indiana food bank. (Suggested food items: coffee, pasta, oatmeal, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, sugar salt and pepper.) Never a more timely or poignant cause; get well soon, Robert!

Do you know where they are located? If I do not work Saturday, I might try to check it out.

[Nate]

Brent, it's on Coffman a few blocks away from all the others (Ganassi, Andretti, Carpenter)

[jjones752]

6803 Coffman Rd, Indy 46268

[Cage Faraday]

Sending prayers and encouragement to Robert.

[Stevensville Mike]

https://www.autosport.com/indycar/ne...t-with-schmidt

Sauber F1 driver Marcus Ericsson gets 2019 Schmidt IndyCar seat
By David Malsher

Sauber Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson will switch to IndyCar in 2019, driving for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports as full-time team-mate to James Hinchcliffe.

Ericsson has raced with Sauber for the past four seasons, and will have made 97 F1 starts when he competes in the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next month.

Sauber is making a complete line-up change for 2019, with 2007 F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen joined by Antonio Giovinazzi as Charles Leclerc moves to Ferrari and Ericsson is demoted to a reserve role.

The 28-year-old Swede quickly made clear that he wanted to combine that F1 link with a full season racing elsewhere and will now join the IndyCar grid.

"It's a great honour to be picked as one of the drivers at Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and IndyCar for the 2019 season," said Ericsson.

"It feels like a perfect step for me and my career after five years in F1.

"I can't wait to start work with SPM and all the people in the team which I've heard a lot of good things about.

"They've had some great success over the years, and I'm looking forward to working hard to continue and improve on that path.

"The racing in IndyCar looks great and I feel really excited to be part of it in the future.

"It will be a lot to learn including new tracks, oval racing, etc.

"I know it won't be easy, but it's a challenge I'm very much looking forward to and I can't wait to get started."

SPM fielded Hinchcliffe and Robert Wickens as its full-time 2018 line-up until Wickens was seriously injured in a horrific crash at Pocono.

Ericsson will race the #7 SPM Dallara-Honda because team owners Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson have pledged to keep the #6 entry reserved for Wickens "when he wants to and is able to return".


Schmidt said he and Peterson were "excited to welcome Marcus" to IndyCar.

"He has a tonne of experience racing in the top levels of motorsports, so we believe that he will be able to contribute to our development programme that began in earnest in 2018," Schmidt added.

"While the circuits on the IndyCar schedule will be brand new to him, particularly the ovals, we have a lot of confidence and trust in his eagerness to learn along with his work ethic.

"We think he and James will be a good fit to push one another and fight for those wins."

Jack Harvey will also retain a link with the team through SPM's collaboration with Meyer Shank Racing - which aims to continue an expanded but still part-time schedule.

************

I like the one paragraph wherein they are going to field a Car 7 for Ericcson and hold the Car 6 for Robert Wickens. Class move by SPM.