Photo: Ford Performance Racing

Will Power ruled out of the Gold Coast 600

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Will Power has been ruled out of this weekend’s Gold Coast 600 after injuries sustained in yesterday’s crash at Las Vegas in the IndyCar Series. His place will be taken by Northern Irishman Richard Lyons.

Will Power was also caught up in the 15 car pile-up which claimed the life of British driver Dan Wheldon, which saw the race cancelled and the championship awarded to Power’s rival Dario Franchitti.

Power walked safely away from his car after the incident, but later complained of lower back pain. Though the 30-year-old from Toowoomba was found not to have sustained any major injuries by the medical centre, he’s been ruled out of the trip to Australia for this weekend.

“On behalf of everyone at Ford Performance Racing I would like to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Dan Wheldon,” said FPR Team Principal Tim Edwards

“It was a terrible accident and our thoughts are with them.”

“Our thoughts are also with Will Power at this tough time and we are just thankful he has escaped without any serious injury.”

“I’d also like to thank Richard Lyons for stepping in at such short notice in place of Will. I have known him since my Formula 1 days and he has always impressed me so I am sure he will adapt quickly to our car and the Surfers Paradise track.”

Richard Lyons drove for Tekno Autosport at the Phillip Island and Bathurst rounds sharing driving duties with Jonathon Webb. Although the new rules for this year state international drivers entered for the Gold Coast 600 aren’t permitted to take part in the previous two endurance rounds, this has been waived due to exceptional circumstances. Lyons will share the #6 FPR Falcon with Will Davison.

V8 Supercars Chairman and Tony Cochrane and Holden Racing Team driver James Courtney also attended a heartfelt press conference this morning. Wheldon was due to compete with Courtney this weekend, the series has confirmed decisions on further driver replacements will take place within 48 hours.

“Dan and I first met in the mid-90s and have been great friends ever since,” said Courtney. “I’m sure I join with the entire V8 Supercar community and send our wishes to his family. We’ll of course band together and make sure they are looked after.”

“This is what we do as a profession and an incident like this brings the dangers home,” added Courtney. “The first thing that I want to do is get out there and go racing for Dan.”