Motorbase’s Luke Davenport was back on track today for the first time since his accident at Croft in June.
Davenport was in a coma for several weeks after a multi-car accident during qualifying. He suffered a shattered pelvis and a damaged shoulder, amongst other injuries.
The 24-year-old completed a 10-lap stint in Motorbase’s TCR Volkswagen Golf, his first time back in a race car since the incident.
“It is such a relief to be back behind the wheel,” Davenport said.
“There were no flashbacks, and I was able to just regain the feeling of driving without anything holding me back, which was the main thing I was worried about before I went out.
“I wasn’t going at 100% – maybe I was about 10% away from that – but this has given me the personal satisfaction that I can still do it. It is a weight off my mind.”
Davenport is only halfway through his recovery and, though he said he felt no physical pain, he found some of the movements inside the car difficult. Doctors have said he will be “fully up to strength” by February, and he hopes to make a return to the BTCC in 2018.
“Huge thanks to Motorbase Performance boss David Bartrum for letting me run today,” he said.
“We were making real strides with the squad before the shunt, and I would love to return so we can build on that pace.”
Davenport claimed his first points in the BTCC in the final race at Oulton Park and claimed rookie wins at Thruxton and Oulton.
Feature image credit: Caroline Rhea
