The pilot of "KAMAZ-master" team Eduard Nikolaev injured his hand during the second stage of the rally "Velikaya Step ". The crew has to leave the race.
Right after the withdrawal Eduard Nikolaev comment on the situation:
"All happened very suddenly. We had a good speed, the first half of the distance was already behind, and there were about ten kilometers to the service area. In one of turns we started to cut off the distance, but in the tall grass there were invisible deep ruts following one by one. Then there were sharp blows on the steering wheel. I only managed to understand that my right hand looks unnatural, I felt sharp pain and then I simply couldn't turn the wheel and change the gears. We reached the service area, and then unfortunately I was not able to continue the race".
First aid was rendered by doctors in Elista. Preliminary diagnosis: displaced fracture and splinter. According to the decision of the team leader Vladimir Chagin, Eduard Nikolaev went to Kurgan in the Ilizarov’s clinic for a definitive diagnosis and further treatment.
