TWO drivers from the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship remain in James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough this morning after a major incident curtailed yesterday’s qualifying session at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire.

Qualifying was halted after just three laps after a huge crash that featured ten cars and left three drivers nursing serious injuries. The air ambulance was involved in transporting the drivers to hospital, with two remaining in care overnight.

BTCC organisers, TOCA, have confirmed that Luke Davenport and Jeff Smith are in a “serious but stable condition”, but describe their injuries as “not immediately life threatening”.

Davenport, who is from Cambridgeshire and drives for the Motorbase Performance team, remains in intensive care in an induced coma, having suffered multiple chest injuries, lung damage, a broken right leg, broken pelvis, broken right arm and concussion.

The incident is believed to have occurred when his Ford Focus dropped oil onto the circuit, near Darlington, causing a major collision.

Smith, who is from Wellingborough and drives for Eurotech Racing, suffered multiple chest injuries, extensive shoulder injuries and concussion.

It took around an hour for both drivers to be extricated from their cars, with extensive medical support helping to provide an initial assessment before the drivers were airlifted to hospital.

Aron Taylor-Smith, who drives for the Triple Eight Racing team, was also taken to James Cook Hospital after suffering a fractured leg and concussion, but was released late last night.

A statement released by TOCA said: “Following the multi-car accident during qualifying for Round 13 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Croft, three drivers were taken to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough for further treatment.

“All of the injuries, whilst very serious, are not immediately life threatening. We would like to thank the BTCC medical team, marshals, Croft Circuit staff, Air Ambulance crews and all staff at James Cook Hospital. Everyone within the BTCC sends their best wishes to all three drivers for a speedy and full recovery.”

Today’s racing will be staged as planned, with three rounds of the BTCC due to take place along with a number of support-series races.