Gronholm crashes out of X Games

Marcus Grönholm was hospitalised after crashing his Fiesta in practice for the X Games in Los Angeles. According to a statement from event owner ESPN, Grönholm hit “an exposed light post base”. Video (below) of the accident from an onboard camera shows Grönholm going over the jump before hitting a wall with the left (driver’s) side of the Fiesta which immediately spins to a halt.

Marcus Grönholm prepares for X Games practice. © Grönholm/RallycrossWorld.com

Rescue services at the event cut the roof off Grönholm’s car to extricate the Finn who was reported to be “unconscious but breathing” immediately after the crash. ESPN now reports that Grönholm is awake, alert and undergoing further tests in hospital.

Grönholm is the second driver to crash out of the X Games round of the Global Rallycross Championship, fellow Finn Toomas Heikkinen suffering a broken ankle when he crashed his Fiesta in the jump practice on Friday, see videos below.

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3uTZh-iml8[/tube]

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUK3kzz_0ss&feature=plcp[/tube]

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thpD9iPGaqw&feature=BFa&list=UUL_pgIReE6fOCQ7uQefs38Q[/tube]