Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Telefonica Movistar Honda’s Daijiro Kato is fighting for his life in the intensive care unit of a Japanese hospital following a crash into a wall during the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit on Sunday.

According to reports coming out of Japan, Kato crashed for unknown reasons entering the revised Casio Triangle chicane, impacted the wall on rider’s left at speed and bounced back onto the racetrack, where he narrowly missed getting run over. Kato received life-saving attention at the scene, including efforts to re-start his heartbeat and breathing, before being transported to the infield care center and then flown to a nearby hospital.

Kato is currently diagnosed as having head, neck and chest trauma and is listed in “serious” condition.

Concerns about the level of safety at the famed Japanese racetrack were raised after Marco Melandri, the 2002 250cc World Champion, broke his right leg, and Kato’s crash has resulted in many riders, most notably Kenny Roberts, speaking out about safety problems at Suzuka Circuit.

More details as they become available.