Grid girl Sophie Wright broke leg at British Touring Car Championship with West Surrey Racing at Brands Hatch Circuit
10:29, 12 October 2023
updated: 13:05, 12 October 2023
A grid girl was rushed to hospital after she fell off a pit wall while celebrating a win at a Kent racecourse.
Sophie Wright was attending the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season finale at Brands Hatch, in Fawkham, with BMW team West Surrey Racing.
In the final race of the season, team drivers Jake Hill and Stephen Jelley both earned podium positions.
Hill, who is from Tunbridge Wells, claimed the victory making it his sixth win of the campaign, while Jelley finished in third.
The achievement sparked a huge celebration from the team who climbed the pit wall as the pair finished the race.
But as Sophie, who is also a DJ, presenter and writer, hung on the fencing cheering, she fell off and landed on her leg breaking her femur – her thigh bone.
She said she had changed into her trainers to join the track side team on the pit wall to celebrate, on Sunday, when the accident happened.
The grid girl was rushed off to Princess Royal University Hospital in south London and given “lots of morphine” to deal with the pain.
Sophie said she has had to have her knee put back into place and her leg wrapped up in plaster.
She added: “Most importantly lots of amazing medics, mechanics, crew, team members, friends, marshals and the best people in the world are getting me through it.”
Race winner Hill sent his support to Sophie while she is bed-ridden in hospital. He said: "Sending you lots of love Soph. So so sorry."
Hill, 29, who started the season finale in fourth position, took to the grass to pass both Josh Cook and Jelley at Westfield in a move he said he would “remember for a long time”.
He is set to remain with West Surrey Racing next season after he enjoyed his best ever year in the BTCC.
Speaking to KentOnline, he said: "We have come out as the top BMW driver again with six wins and six further podiums so overall it has been a successful season.
“It has been a good year and one to make improvements on but I am looking forward to going again next year. Nothing is signed, sealed and delivered yet but that is what I am hoping to do.”
The BTCC is a touring car racing series which is held every year across the country.
It will visit Brands Hatch on May 11-12 and October 5-6, 2024.
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