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I heard the news this evening, and wanted to let you all know… so you can send your best wishes, thoughts, and prayers his way!
http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=29922
I will let you know when I have any updates.
Angie
I had another phone call from Dennis?s family a short time ago. He is still in surgery and no news from the doctors yet. Dennis was driving a H blown Lakester with a 1500cc motorcycle engine. (looks like a short dragster with no wheel coverings.) Something broke on the car at about 150mph and it started barrel-rolling.
Please put Dennis and his family in your prayers ?
I will post updates as I get them.
Thanks
Scott SmithHe did ask for his cowboy hat and a beer before surgery.
Below is the picture link to the car Dennis was driving.
http://www.landracing.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=75&fullsize=1
Our thoughts and prayers are going out to him. Hopefully we can all hear what happened directly from him back at the track soon.
UPDATE:
Dennis came out of surgery at 1:30am . Both arms where being worked on by both neuro and orthopedic surgeons. The doctors don?t feel he has any nerve damage at this time. He is still on a respirator but it might be removed tonight if he keeps improving. More updates as I get them. Don?t forget to keep Dennis and his family in your prayers.Scott Smith
Thank you, Scott, for keeping us updated. Please tell Sandy that she and Dennis are in our thoughts and prayers.
Angie
UPDATE: August 17, 2007 11:45am
The doctors took Dennis off the ventilator last night. The doctors have cleared his spine of any injuries. He has 7 broken ribs, three on the left and 4 on the right. He is able to move all ten fingers but both large bones (radius and ulna) in both lower arms were broken and he has numerous plates and screws holding them together. At this point the doctors are seeing no nerve damage in his arms or hands. Dennis has some fluid in his lungs so the doctors want to get him up walking in the next few days. Sandy wants to thank all the Colorado karting community for their kind words, hope and most of all prayer.
On a humorous note: I was able to talk to Dennis for a short moment today. I let him know that he scared us. His comment was. Scared us. They are still shoveling the crap out of his driving suit.
Dennis has a long way on his recovery but he is well on his way. As I said before keep him in your thoughts and prayers. I will post updates as I get them.
Thanks again,
Scott SmithAnyone have information on Dennis? I am wondering how he is doing and if he needs anything from the Colorado racing community. I’ll even mow your yard if you need me to. (my wife is sitting here on the edge of my easy chair saying “he doesn’t even know what that means!) I will!
Dennis or someone, plz give an update and let us know how he’s doing or if we can help. Biz, personal or whatever.
We’ll miss you Dennis. Just look at this like a military career. You are pretty smart and pretty tough. There has to be a smooth way through this.
Maybe we can compare motor skills some day, over a cool one!
The Schmidts
Rick,
Dennis called me Saturday morning while he was still medicated enough to want to talk. He has something like 22 screws in his arms. One is plated down to the thumb, the other up to the elbow. Has a broken neck, of which he said it only bothers him when he has the sling for his arms around it. He is in Salt Lake at a rehabilitation center, and will move to one in Denver some time this week. I will try to find out which one, so we can send him well wishes. He said he had 99 saved messages on his machine at work, and his family got him an ear piece for his phone.
As for the wreck, he just said that all systems were good… wind, equipment, etc. was looking good, then something went wrong. He said he didn’t remember much, but it was beginning to come back a little at a time.That’s all I know for now, I will let you know if I find out more.
Angie
Just talked to Dennis – he’s on the phone now with Ken.
He is home now, still in pain, but on the mend. I guess he found out today that he also has a seperated shoulder… just one more thing to deal with. He said he still has to sleep sitting up due to the broken ribs, but the pins in his wrist seem to bother him the most. Might be another couple of weeks before those come out.
He has checked out the forum and wanted to relay his appreciation for all of the well wishes he got on here, as well as all of the cards, phone calls, emails, etc. I am sure he will be looking here again, so go ahead and post your messages to him!
And here’s a little warning for you all. Dennis is going to give our CSC Finale Tech Director (whoever that may be) a run down on what, and who, to watch out for!
Angie
p.s.
Dennis — It was great to talk to you, and so good to hear that you are home and on the mend. My family thinks the world of you, and hope you will call if there is anything at all we can do for you and Sandy!
– Angie, Ken, Cole, Courtney, and WyattDennis,
So glad you’re on the mend, also glad your home finally . From one guy (who has a hell of a lot more steel inside his body than he should) to another. What a b1tch having to be out of town and suffer so many significant injuries! I’m just glad you survived, the rest is just time and healing. We were really worried! Made the race we were at when we heard the news (Rotax Gn’s) seem somewhat insignificant and it was a big race for us.
I guess most of us like things that scare us and somewhat know the risks when we engage in competition. But no one really knows the danger till you taste it up close.
I actually have to admit (in some sort of sick way) I miss the cowboy hat strolling around the paddock making my “you know what” pucker and prompting me take another look at our racing machines to make sure they’re legal and safe. Also miss having a cool one after the business part of the day is over.
If “things” have stacked up around the house (vehicle care) or whatever while you’ve been down. There are a whole bunch of us who could assemble a work party and knock some chores out while your healing. Or if Sandy needs anything. I speak for many on this one thing. Tap into your racing friends here if you need them Dennis.
Rick, Lucy and Roman
cell 303-886-4190
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