Carl Sundquist
From the Akron Beacon Journal
CLEVELAND - Patrick Carpentier is looking forward to being back in his race car, hugging hairpin
turns at 150 mph and powering down straightaways at more than 200 mph.
To Carpentier, it's safer than riding a bicycle.
Carpentier, who will defend his title at this week's CART Cleveland Grand Prix, feels fortunate to
still be driving after crashing into a tow truck while riding his bike on June 24.
``I'm so lucky,'' said Carpentier, who estimates he hit a trailer being pulled by the truck at 35
mph. ``I've hit the wall in a car at 200 mph, and this was worse.''
Carpentier was training with his friend, motorcycle rider Miguel Duhamel, when they were cut off by
the truck while racing down an incline on bikes like those used in the Tour de France.
Duhamel was able to see the truck drifting over in time and pulled to the left, narrowly avoiding a
collision. Carpentier, however, was drafting behind Duhamel and had his head down when he plowed
into the side of the trailer.
``Boom!'' Carpentier said, slamming his fist into his hand. ``It really shook me up.''
Carpentier suffered a hairline fracture in his right arm as well as bumps, bruises and scrapes.
``But nothing to keep me from racing,'' he said. ``It split my glasses in half. I was wearing a
helmet, so it could have been a lot worse.''
After the near disaster, Carpentier can't wait to race. He's also eager to see the brilliant
sparkling colors and hear the deafening roar this holiday weekend.
CLEVELAND - Patrick Carpentier is looking forward to being back in his race car, hugging hairpin
turns at 150 mph and powering down straightaways at more than 200 mph.
To Carpentier, it's safer than riding a bicycle.
Carpentier, who will defend his title at this week's CART Cleveland Grand Prix, feels fortunate to
still be driving after crashing into a tow truck while riding his bike on June 24.
``I'm so lucky,'' said Carpentier, who estimates he hit a trailer being pulled by the truck at 35
mph. ``I've hit the wall in a car at 200 mph, and this was worse.''
Carpentier was training with his friend, motorcycle rider Miguel Duhamel, when they were cut off by
the truck while racing down an incline on bikes like those used in the Tour de France.
Duhamel was able to see the truck drifting over in time and pulled to the left, narrowly avoiding a
collision. Carpentier, however, was drafting behind Duhamel and had his head down when he plowed
into the side of the trailer.
``Boom!'' Carpentier said, slamming his fist into his hand. ``It really shook me up.''
Carpentier suffered a hairline fracture in his right arm as well as bumps, bruises and scrapes.
``But nothing to keep me from racing,'' he said. ``It split my glasses in half. I was wearing a
helmet, so it could have been a lot worse.''
After the near disaster, Carpentier can't wait to race. He's also eager to see the brilliant
sparkling colors and hear the deafening roar this holiday weekend.
