Castrol Honda World Superbike rider Aaron Slight will undergo brain surgery as a result of a condition detected in Australia. The full text of the official Castrol Honda press release is reprinted below.
Castrol Honda’s Aaron Slight will undergo surgery on Friday in Sydney, Australia to stop the bleeding from a burst blood vessel in his brain.
Slight, 34, from Masterton, New Zealand was diagnosed as having an ‘arteriovenous malformation’ – also known as AVM – following a brain scan on Wednesday.
The 1996 and 1998 World Superbike championship runner-up was admitted to hospital earlier today and is in a stable condition.
Castrol Honda team manager Neil Tuxworth explained:
“Aaron has been suffering for a long time with the symptoms of what has now been diagnosed as AVM. For example, he has suffered from a lack of focus in his vision and from a low level of concentration.”
“The operation is delicate but surgeons have said that Aaron has every prospect of making an excellent recovery. Right now our thoughts are only with Aaron and his family.”
Tuxworth added:
“We are all praying tomorrow’s operation is successful and Aaron will fully recover.”
Slight was forced to withdraw from the team’s pre-season test session at the Eastern Creek circuit near Sydney on Monday before seeking advice from medical specialists in the city.
For those of you wondering about Jimmy Button’s condition, reports indicate that Jimmy is progressing well in a rehabilitation center in Arizona near his home. He has movement and feeling everywhere, and has even been able to stand under his own power. His main problem is weakness at this point, and it is difficult to tell how long it will take him to regain normal strength. Yamaha intends to update the press periodically on Jimmy’s condition, and we will pass along that information. The prognosis at this point, however, looks pretty good, and Jimmy has expressed tremendous gratitude for the support his fans have given. Here’s an address if you would like to send get well wishes to Jimmy Button:
Yamaha, Attention: Race Department, Jimmy Button
6555 Katella
Cypress, CA 90630
Another rider currently recovering from a spinal cord injury is Team KTM’s Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell seriously injured his spine at the Day In the Dirt celebrity races at LACR Thanksgiving weekend. Donovan’s condition has been slowly improving, and at this point he has feeling in both arms and down to the middle of his chest. Cards and letters to Donovan should go to the following address:
Donovan Mitchell, c/o KTM Sportmotorcycle USA
930 Fesler St.
El Cajon, CA 92020
According to longtime friend and fellow freestyle rider Mike Metzger, Seth Enslow is doing “fine”. Metzger went trail riding with Enslow as well as several other freeriders on February 12. Enslow suffered facial injuries when he crashed during a warmup for his world record 300′ jump attempt in mid-December.
