National champion David Minton was taken to hospital after a high-speed crash at the opening round of the Australian Formula 1 Powerboat Grand Prix.
Minton, from Miranda, won the national title at the final event at Port Macquarie last year.
Round one of the 2017 series was held at Mulwala Ski Club in the NSW Riverina last weekend, with Minton looking to get off to a good start in defending his title.
A blown motor on Saturday was Minton’s first set back, but worse was to come in the first race on Sunday.
Minton rolled his boat on the final lap at more than 160kmph, destroying the boat.
The 35-year-old was taken to hospital having suffered a compressed vertebrae as well as three fractured vertebrae.
Minton will miss round two of the series in Wagga Wagga on March 25 and 26 and is expected to be out for at least 10 weeks. He is hopeful of competing in round three at Griffith in late April.
The Powerboat Grand Prix is a series of five races held between February and August, with the final round to be held at Grafton. Formula 1 powerboats are capable of accelerating and cornering faster than a Formula 1 car.
Minton, a marine mechanic at Speed and Leisure, Miranda, only took up the sport two years ago having previous experience in circuit racing with a bullet ski boat.
Minton will now miss this weekend’s St George Powerboat Spectacular feature event on Kogarah Bay, the Champions Of Champions Trophy.
