OAKVILLE top fuel pilot Peter Xiberras has been hospitalised after a nasty top fuel crash. Xiberras was competing at the Gulf Western Oil Nitro Thunder event at the weekend, and had a crash which saw him sustain some fractures in his back. The Gazette has been informed that Xiberras has gone into surgery after his crash. It was originally hoped the injury would not require surgery. “Thankfully, we didn’t make contact with Wayne Newby who was racing in the left-hand lane and I was able to extract myself from the car on my own and walk over to see the ambulance, which took me over to the hospital to be checked out,” Xiberras said. “Unfortunately, when they have run a CT scan they have found some spinal fractures which will mean I will be in hospital for a couple of weeks. “It isn’t the news you want of course but I am going to be a-okay, and that is the main thing. “The fact that my injuries aren’t worse is a real testament to the safety of these cars. Unfortunately, while I will make a full recovery, I will be missing out on the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals so our championship title for this season is well and truly over.” Xiberras had been trying to catch up with rival Damien Harris in the 400 Thunder Top Fuel Title. All was going well for him, after he took out the first race, but then in the second was when he crashed. “The weekend started out really positive for us – we came to Sydney third on the ladder, 20 points shy of second-placed Kelly Bettes and 22 away from the leader, Damien Harris,” Xiberras said. “We had our eyes on closing that gap right up, and with a race one win we were on our way to that goal, reducing the gap to Harris to just 16 points with two more races ahead of us for the event. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. In the second race, we were in the right-hand lane and early in the run the dragster shook the tyres very hard, with the car turning to the left and making contact with the left-hand wall. “We will just have to come back next season bigger and better to make up for it.” Xiberras’ season is definitely over, but is hoping he will recover before next year’s season. “In the meantime, I would like to send my thanks to all of the track staff and officials at Sydney Dragway as well as the medical staff who are looking after me, the racers that have checked in with me, to my sponsors, and to all of the fans and supporters who have been sending their well wishes,” he said. “All of your support is very much appreciated.”