Toomas ‘Topi’ Heikkinen has had his final operation to repair the damage caused by his massive crash in practice for the 2012 X Games in Los Angeles.
The accident left the reigning Global Rallycross champion with a broken left ankle in 15 places after his car slammed into a ramp, but amazingly Heikkinen returned to action just three months later. The damage to his ankle meant that several operations were needed, with the Finn completing the last one in Joensuu, Finland last week.
Surgeons at Ite Hospital removed several pieces of loose cartilage and a number of bone fragments in order to increase mobility, with a prediction that he would be back on his feet by Christmas. However, the Heikkinen is already up and about and planning his holiday celebrations.
“Over Christmas I’ll get back into driving again; we’ll be out in my own rally car just for fun – and then of course we’ll be back to competition soon,” said Heikkinen. “Before then I’ll be riding my snowmobile, which is what we always do over Christmas, so I think it’s going to be a really good time! The operation went really well and my recovery is actually ahead of schedule, so that’s very good news. Already I’m walking and it won’t be long before I’m driving again. I feel really good and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
“I’m keeping myself busy,” he added, regarding what he would be doing to prepare himself for the 2014 campaign. “There’s a few motorsport activities I’m going to be doing over the winter before our rallycross season starts, and that’s the best way to recover from the operation and also enjoy myself at the same time. In the meantime, happy Christmas to everyone.”
