A VETERAN Malvern racing driver is ready to get back in the driving seat after recovering from an accident that nearly cost him his life.

On Sunday, April 8, Gordon Rae was at the controls of a new Shane International Formula Vee, during a practice session at Snetterton in Norfolk. All was going well until the engine developed a tendency to misfire.

At the flat-out Coram Curve, the engine cut out completely. The 71-year-old slowed down and took the car off the racing line to the outside of the bend, to try and restart it.

"Third gear was selected and the clutch released in an attempt to effect an engine restart," he said. "In that instant, oblivion!"

As Mr Rae slowed, a Scarab car approached Coram Curve at racing speed to overtake two slower cars on the outside. The Scarab hit Mr Rae's Shane at full speed, pushing the gearbox forward into the cockpit.

The impact caused severe whiplash, tore his brain loose inside his skull and bruised it. His finger was also trapped between the gearstick and the dashboard.

"The marshals assumed I had broken my neck and back so I was lifted out in a straitjacket-type thing," said Mr Rae, a champion driver who has designed, built and raced cars since 1955. "Of course, I didn't know what had happened, so when I came around I was completely laid back and completely unconcerned. I even asked the steward if once they'd finished I could finish my practice."

According to Mr Rae, the Scarab driver was later heard to say: "I was travelling at 125mph through Coram on the racing line and was closing on two slower cars and adjusting my line to pass them on the outside. It was at that instant that I saw the Shane running slowly on the outside line and was unable to avoid the ensuing collision."

This was not the first time the former DERA scientist had been involved in a high-speed accident. He had a similar lucky escape in 1976, when he emerged unscathed from an 80mph crash during practice for a race in the Formula Vee championship series.

But despite the latest scare, Mr Rae now has America in his sights and a return to racing in August. Although badly damaged, the Shane has been rebuilt and may also race again.

Mr Rae is currently serving on the international technical judging team at the Formula Student 2001 event at the NEC, Birmingham, a scheme for promoting the design and construction of 600cc competition racing cars among university students. The event runs until tomorrow (Saturday) and admission is free.