The season opener of the World Endurance Championship at Le Mans has thrown a wrench into Hannes Sommer’s plans as he looks forward to the IDM race on the first weekend in May at the Sachsenring. The Estonian, who races for Team Enos Motorsport in the Superbike class, crashed during the 24-hour race in France and was injured.
The 26-year-old BMW rider had been battling for victory in the Superstock class on the M 1000 RR with the Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team, alongside Kenny Foray (FRA), Jan Bühn (GER), and Loïc Arbel (FRA). At times, the team was even in the lead. It happened during Soomer’s third stint: “The bike had a technical problem with the brakes and I crashed.” Soomer injured his shoulder. “It’s the part that connects the collarbone to the shoulder. I think the correct term for it is the AC joint.” If that turns out to be the case, the highest point of the shoulder is affected. The joint helps raise the arm above head level, which isn’t possible with an injury.
Does this mean the IDM season opener in two weeks is in jeopardy? “It’s certainly in jeopardy, but I don’t want to say anything until I know the full picture,” says Soomer. He’ll see his doctor in Estonia on Tuesday.