A QUICK CHAT WITH PAUL BUTLER

www.formulafirst.co.nz caught up with Paul Butler after his recent Pukekohe smash to see how he was doing.

Formula First: So how's the body after Sunday Paul?

Paul Butler: I'm bruised from head to toe but otherwise OK. I was worse on Monday than I was on Sunday. I took two days off work on Monday and Tuesday but went back on Wednesday.

Formula First: So no sore head or anything of the sort?

Paul Butler: Nope. But I did, as a precaution, visit my doctor for a check up. He said I was all fine.

Formula First: That's great to hear. Several people have asked how you're doing after the crash as, although you were out of the car straight away, there can often be hidden issues like concussion etc.

Paul Butler: Yep, I'm all ok. No problems there.

Formula First: Looking at the footage of the crash, it looked like your car would have only have had to moved itself another two feet back on the barrier and you would have possibly had the barrier come between you and the car's roll-over hoop.

Paul Butler: Yeah it was close. It's great to be able to see the footage. I have been emailing it to people who didn't get to see it. A few people have been asking about it.

Formula First: So what happened?

Paul Butler: All I really remember about what caused it is going in to turn one with cars either side of me. I remember thinking when I went into the spin, 'great, I'm going to slide along the barriers and damage my suspension'. Unfortunately the TV cameras missed the start of the crash, so we can't tell from there either. I do remember that I didn't even get to hit the brakes.

Formula First: It was surprising to see the car go over, it looked like the right rear wheel kicked up on the guard rail and sent you over. Is that the first time you've rolled a car?

Paul Butler: Yep, the first time in 20'odd years of racing. I remember coming to a stop and thinking that I needed to get out of the car as quickly as possible. You can't tell when you're upside down if there might be a fire or anything like that. I turned the ignition off and started to think about getting out. One of my legs was stuck between the fire extinguisher and the chassis, but I freed that and unbuckled myself. Unfortunately I dropped down out of the car onto my shoulder - which is now bruised nicely. At first I actually tried to push the car back onto its wheels (while still in the car) - but I couldn't. I hadn't realised Matt's (Matt Gibson) car was sitting against me at the time.

Formula First: Wow. So how is the car - what are the repair plans?

Paul Butler: I have had some kind people down in Wellington offer to repair the car. We will be starting that process this weekend. I need to look at a new front beam and brake rotors etc. I have a spare gearbox etc. We are delivering the car to get things started this weekend. We don't even have to take it all the way down there. We'll be meeting our helpers part way.

Formula First: That's great news Paul, we're relieved to see that you're OK after the weekend. And thanks for taking the time to talk to us.

Paul Butler: Thanks very much for the call. I appreciate it.