Todd Hazelwood has been given the all clear to race at this weekend’s Vodafone Gold Coast 600 after suffering a muscle tear at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Medical teams declared the 2017 Super2 Series winner had avoided serious injury but did confirm he’d sustained a muscle tear in his neck.
Since then Hazelwood has undergone bouts of physiotherapy and seen a chiropractor to ensure he is physically ready for the second part of the Pirtek Enduro Cup.
The 24-year-old was always confident of making this weekend’s race but has now confirmed he has been passed fit to race on the Gold Coast streets.
“I’m all good there are no issues (with my neck),” Hazelwood told Speedcafe.com.
“I had a couple of tough days post Bathurst but my recovery is all good and I’m back on track. I’m fit for the weekend.
“There was a bit of a process and had to sign off all the paperwork.
“I’ve had to have a bit of work on the neck, with physio and chiro work, but we are ready to go for the weekend.”
Hazelwood will now face the unforgiving Surfers Paradise street circuit although the MSR driver is feeling confident following strong performances on the streets of Adelaide and Townsville earlier this year.
With uncertainty surrounding his future next year the final races of the season will offer a chance to put himself in the shop window for 2020.
“It (Gold Coast) is a daunting place but the best thing is to bounce back (after Bathurst),” he added.
“We are going to have a strong car and ultimately we should be on track to get a good result.
“All year our car has been really strong at the street circuits, so hopefully we can continue that strong form and be back towards the pointy end.”
Meanwhile, back at the MSR workshop the team is working to finish the repair job on the #35 car following the Bathurst crash, with the car set to arrive at the track on Thursday.
“The boys are still working on the car now but fortunately with the team being based at Yatala, an hour from the race track, we can take the car in Thursday afternoon and do all the set-up and repair work at the workshop without any rush and get one with the job properly,” he said.
The Gold Coast 600 is set to begin on Friday with opening practice scheduled for 1015 local time.
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