FORCE MAKING PROGRESS
Wed, 2007-12-12 18:16
The lengthy physical therapy sessions he is undergoing five days each week are
beginning to pay big dividends for drag racing icon John Force as he tries to
recover from injuries suffered in a Sept. 23 crash at the Texas Motorplex.
That was the assessment Wednesday of physical therapist Robert Ortmayer,
who has been working with Force since the 14-time NHRA Funny Car Champion
returned to his California home after 27 days in a Texas hospital.
The 58-year-old Force, whose goal is to be back in a Castrol GTX High
Mileage Ford Funny Car when pre-season testing begins in mid-January, was
cleared Tuesday to commence light strength training with the left hand and left
foot. He already had been involved in strength work on the less severely
injured right foot and hand.
Brandon Baker Photos
Physical Therapist Robert Ortmayer makes a point during a meeting at John Force Racing, Inc., with crew chiefs including Dean Antonelli, left, and Bernie Fedderly along with Ford Racing boss Dan Davis, far right.
That was the assessment Wednesday of physical therapist Robert Ortmayer,
who has been working with Force since the 14-time NHRA Funny Car Champion
returned to his California home after 27 days in a Texas hospital.
The 58-year-old Force, whose goal is to be back in a Castrol GTX High
Mileage Ford Funny Car when pre-season testing begins in mid-January, was
cleared Tuesday to commence light strength training with the left hand and left
foot. He already had been involved in strength work on the less severely
injured right foot and hand.
In the crash, the worst of his career, the 125-time tour winner suffered a
compound fracture of the left ankle, a dislocation of the left wrist so bad that
it required the insertion of pins and application of a hard cast, broken bones
in the right foot and hand, a severe laceration of the right knee with ligament
and tendon damage and mangled fingers and toes involving significant tissue
loss.
Attitude is everything in these types of recoveries. John is exceptional in that area. He has done everything we’ve asked. It’s been difficult, but he is one of the most motivated people with whom I have ever worked. Considering the severity of the accident and the injuries, his range of movement already is remarkable and he’s making more progress every day. - Force physical therapist Robert Ortmayer
Robert Hight, in cockpit, gives physical therapist Robert Ortmayer a quick primer on driving a Funny Car so that he has a better understanding of how much more work will be needed to get John Force back in a race car by mid-January.
“Attitude is everything in these types of recoveries,” Ortmayer said.
“John is exceptional in that area. He has done everything we’ve asked. It’s
been difficult, but he is one of the most motivated people with whom I have ever
worked. Considering the severity of the accident and the injuries, his range of
movement already is remarkable and he’s making more progress every day.”
With an eye toward pre-season testing, Ortmayer toured the John Force
Racing, Inc., shop facility Tuesday so that Force’s teammate, two-time POWERade
Championship runner-up Robert Hight, could orient him to the cockpit of a Funny
Car and explain what occurs during a typical quarter mile run.
The owner of Yorba Linda Physical Therapy then met with the JFR crew chiefs and Ford representatives, including Ford Racing boss Dan Davis, for an update on changes to the 2008 cockpit and chassis that might present new physical challenges for the 1996 Driver of the Year.
The owner of Yorba Linda Physical Therapy then met with the JFR crew chiefs and Ford representatives, including Ford Racing boss Dan Davis, for an update on changes to the 2008 cockpit and chassis that might present new physical challenges for the 1996 Driver of the Year.
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