After 2018 IndyCar Spine Injury, Robert Wickens Finally Returns To Cockpit Of A Race Car

Following a spine injury at Pocono Raceway in 2018, Robert Wickens’ long journey of rehabilitation has finally allowed him to get back into the cockpit of a race car. Taking the wheel of a Hyundai Veloster N TCR car, the injured driver was able to get back on track.

“It’s been a journey getting here and the experience on track today was incredibly rewarding,” said Wickens. “Working with the team, dialing the car in, gaining speed and improving the handling – it was awesome.”

The opportunity came thanks to Brian Herta Autosport, which races the Veloster N TCR car in the IMSA series. The car is already fitted with hand controls and races with Michael Johnson and Stephen Simpson at the wheel.

“I’m appreciative of the opportunity Hyundai and Bryan Herta have provided, and a big thanks to Michael Johnson for this collaboration,” said Wickens. “The Veloster N TCR was a blast to drive. Once I got comfortable with the car, I began to understand what I need for my own accessibility to move forward.”

The car is controlled by two metal rings attached to the steering wheel that are connected to the pedals via a series of jointed rods. The ring behind the steering wheel controls the brakes while the ring in front of it controls the throttle. Gears are shifted by thumb paddles on either side of the wheel.

Wickens was forced to complete 989 days of rehab to get to this milestone as a result of his IndyCar accident at Pocono Raceway. The crash left him with a thoracic spinal fracture, a spinal cord injury, a neck fracture, tibia and fibula fractures, fractures in both hands, as well as his elbow and forearm, a concussion, and pulmonary contusions. But through all of it, getting behind the wheel again has been a priority.

“Once I was taken out of my medically-induced coma, ‘When can I race again?’ was definitely on my shortlist of questions,” said Wickens. “At 32, I have so much more of my life to live and I intend to live it to its fullest. That is what really drove me in my rehab phase, which is still happening every day.”

And with that determination, it’s almost certain that Wickens will be able to not only get back behind the wheel but back into wheel-to-wheel action.

“We knew with his expertise and ability; we’d benefit from his valuable feedback,” said Brian Herta. “He did a great job getting up to speed quickly, and we look forward to being a part of the next phase in his journey back to racing.”