Two weeks after his high-speed crash with rival Alex Michel at the final Bridgestone CSBK National round at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Zoltan Frast is back at work. He is still dealing with the after affects of his terrifying collision with his Kawasaki mounted rival that took them both into the tire barriers, with Frast tumbling to land on top of the concrete wall. This is a video much viewed in recent days.
“Things are going slow, but well,” starts Frast, describing his physical status. “The left side of my body, my rib cage, it’s really only today that I feel all right,” explained the 25-year-old after his return to work as an apprentice electrician on Monday, August 24.
“I can walk fairly well now, and the day after the crash I needed a cane! I was only in the hospital on that first Sunday, and at that point I didn’t remember much. At first, I just remembered parts of the first race (Saturday make up race after rain), Van Winkle crashing in turn three, then getting trapped in Michel’s rear wheel came back to me.
“I knew that when I got stuck in the back wheel of the Kawasaki, whatever happened, it wasn’t going to be too pretty – I might not walk away, this will hurt a lot.”
Frast was unconscious trackside after the crash, the event stopped for the second time (following Saturday afternoon’s weather-related Red Flag) so that emergency staff could attend to the racers, lead by the two Doctors at the facility, both racers.
“I know when I fell, I was angry at the time, because we were losing touch with the leaders (Ben Young and David McKay).” Frast and Michel were fighting for third, and attracting the attention of the crowd, as well as the video crew.
“We were doing 24s (lap times of 1:24 second range), and I was good for another two seconds, at least. Michel’s engine was a bit stronger, so I was getting the time back in the earlier part of the lap.
“Up the back straight, I was leading and Michel came around outside of me, and I think he cut off the wind, the air over my bike. This affected my resistance as we braked for the corner. I tried to tip it in early, get out of the draft, but there was nowhere to go.
“I first saw the video in the Hospital when I was waiting for some X-Ray results. My friend set it up for me, and I told them I don’t want to see that again! It was pretty rough to watch.
“It’s understandable that people were upset by the incident, I can only imagine what it was like at the time, at the track. I sometimes think that there is no way I should be here, essentially scott free with just a concussion and bruises.
“The only answer to how we (Michel and co-faller Frast) got away mostly uninjured (Michel had shoulder surgery), was our Airbag suits and the current helmet standards. But I am in a sense superstitious, and someone was watching over me.”
As far as the status of his ex-Young BMW is concerned, the Banana bike is certainly the worse for wear. “My bike is pretty totalled,” continues Frast of the S1000RR. “The frame is in two pieces; the left side is still attached to the engine, but on the right side the frame is peeled back from the motor.” (This last comment is a Banana-related attempt at humor, these statements, and similar remarks that Frast blames on his concussion…)
Frast thinks that while he was competitive at “old Mosport,” coming off a strong showing at his home venue of Grand Bend, his practice and qualifying was hampered by the fact he didn’t get much of a chance to ride with the other front runners.
“Much of the event was lost because I lost pace while riding by myself; but I knew I had 23s in me. When I was racing Michel, we were chopping and changing back and forth, and I know that costs you time.”
Michel and Frast are know to each other, having battled as Amateurs on Supersport bikes in 2022.
“I was pleased with the pace, I started from fourth, a good spot – running with the front guys. But the actual starts, both starts (Saturday and Sunday) did not go to plan.
“It felt strange to be the top BMW, it’s good, but of course the whole BMW program fell apart after such a strong showing with Dumas and Guerin last season. It’s defiantly nice to be the top rider for a manufacturer.”
In the two weeks of forced convalescence since the incident at C.T.M.P., Frast has “explained the whole incident to many, many people. I have had time to think about what I want to do, but finding the means and support to proceed is another story.”
Frast wants to get back on track, perhaps as soon as this weekend’s SOAR Regional at Grand Bend.
“I have three bikes on offer to ride this weekend, so maybe I will try on Friday. I’m looking for a bit of a shake down. Ultimately, I’d like to fix my Superbike or get a newer M model and continue next year; overall I made a good step this year.”
Frast also thanks his supporters, including Bristol RV, Vulcan Electric, ASAP Motorsports, KYT Helmets, Ride 42 Track days, Plus Racing in Dorchester, Sibs Powersports, Bickle Racing, Vesrah, Vortex, and Lean Angle.
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