Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Eric Wood will not race his Kosco Harley-Davidson/Buell Firebolt XB9R in the Formula USA Sportbike race this weekend at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas due to lingering injuries left over from his crash during the last round of the series at Virginia International Raceway June 29

“After riding hard for 12 laps yesterday (Friday) in that GTO race, they had to carry me off the bike and into the trailer,” said Wood, who finished third after leading and fading from the pain.

While racing in the Sportbike race at VIR, Wood crashed in a series of high-speed corners. The result was several broken bones in both feet and ankles. Most of the fractures, including a broken heel and toes, have healed, but Wood is still hindered by a broken “big toe socket” on his shifting foot and another fracture in his right ankle.

Wood will, however, try to race his Suzuki GSX-R750 in Unlimited Grand Prix at Heartland Park. “The only reason I’m trying this is because I want to win the Unlimited Grand Prix Championship for (sponsor) Barden Bearings, but there’s no way I’m going to be able to go hard for 15 laps. I’m just going to survive. I don’t want to re-injure the thing.”

Wood said his Kosco H-D/Buell team was behind his decision to not run in the 31-lap Sportbike race and will not replace him.