SRFKC - Paul Cooke injured at Canadian Grand Prix

Paul Cooke injured at Canadian Grand Prix
Karters hope for a speedy recovery for key series official

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - Paul Cooke, the VP of Competition, and the Director of 
Karting for ASN Canada FIA was badly injured during a freak accident at the 
Canadian Grand Prix last weekend. Cooke was directing the movement of one 
of the cement barriers that outlines the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on 
Friday morning, when the barrier suddenly fell over, trapping the 
67-year-old Oakville resident underneath it.

Cooke suffered damage to his ankles, knees, chest and head. Originally he 
was in intensive care at a Montreal Hospital, where he underwent several 
surgical procedures to repair damage to his left ankle, which sustained the 
most damage. Since that time he has made steady progress throughout the 
early part of this week.

As of Tuesday, June 17, Cooke is resting comfortably in Montreal, but it 
will be some time before he is fully recovered.  Cooke's wife Chere is with 
him in Montreal and she expects him to be released from the hospital early 
next week and be flown back to Toronto.

There has been a special email account set up for Cooke - who is able to 
use his computer in the hospital - for well wishers to send notes to him 
directly.

Cooke can be reached at getwellpaul@hotmail.com

Cooke is one of the key driving forces behind Ontario karting and the 
Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship presented by Toronto Star Wheels 
and his absence from the upcoming races will be felt, but the series will 
continue as scheduled. Cooke is also well known throughout the world of 
motorsports for his dedicated work over the past 30 years.

For more information, please contact:
Russ Bond, 905-852-2900 r.bond@russbondagency.com
Brad Brown, k.andb.brown@sympatico.ca (416)-233-8727

Release prepared by Russ Bond Agency

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