Le Mans: AF Corse's James Calado released from hospital - MotorSportsTalk

One of the drivers involved in the heavy series of accidents during the week of practice and qualifying at Le Mans, AF Corse’s James Calado, has been released from hospital in France as of Tuesday.

Calado had an accident on Thursday, June 12, at the Porsche Curves in his No. 71 Ferrari F458 Italia. The sports car rookie and GP2 Series graduate was knocked out and tweeted the next day he had a brain hemorrhage:

I can’t be at Le Mans to watch my team.Unfortunately I have a brain haemorrhage and will need to stay in hospital.Hopefully just a few days

— James Calado (@JamesCalado) June 13, 2014

Although that language was severe, a media contact for the FIA World Endurance Championship said that was a bit exaggerated and that Calado was more just “out of it.” He was recovering well, and already itching to be back in the car that Pierre Kaffer took over alongside co-drivers Davide Rigon and Olivier Beretta. Calado clarified his comments later on race day, Saturday, June 14.

As bad as it sounds I feel fine. The French doctors are doing a great job in managing my condition… Already want to get back in the car!!

— James Calado (@JamesCalado) June 14, 2014

After a three-day diet of “bread and cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Calado has now been released. And he’s only upgrading slightly from the two French staples for his next meal choice.

Released from hospital…! First stop… @McDonalds

— James Calado (@JamesCalado) June 17, 2014

Calado should be back in the No. 71 car for the next FIA WEC round at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday, Sept. 20.

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After hosting 10 rounds in 2022, the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series 2023 schedule will more than triple to 34 races. The 2022 season featured seven different winners in the first seven races, a female racer in Jade Avedisian as the only repeat winner and Zach Daum as the champion.

“Dirt Midget racing is a growing entity in American motorsports, and the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota is proud to drive further into the growth of the division with both a diverse and lucrative schedule for 2023,” newly appointed Series Director Tyler Bachman said in a press release. “From the kickoff at our first indoor event, to each of the new tracks we’re set to visit next year, it’s a lineup we know both our teams and fans will enjoy.”

The championship purse fund has also more than double with an increase of $42,000 to $80,000 in 2023. The champion will win $25,000. Last year, Daum pocketed $10,000.

In addition, the series will offer tow money to the top 12 in points. Six drivers attempted to qualify for all 10 races in 2022 with 89 drivers attending.

The series will begin on March 10 at Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin, Ill. and end the same place it did in 2022 at I-44 Riverside Speedway in Oklahoma City on October 15.

During the season, they will visit 21 tracks in 10 states.

Some highlights of the season include the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series pairing up with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars in 2023 at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo. in April for the Outlaw Showdown and again in August for the Ironman 55 weekend, as well as the creation of a five-day Midget Speedweek.

The Midget Speedweek will immediately follow the Ironman 55 with a swing through Pennsylvania and New York.

Xtreme Outlaw Midget 2023 Schedule

* Co-sanctioned with POWRi

Le Mans: AF Corse’s James Calado released from hospital

Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series triples to 34 races in 2023

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