Rally co-driver, Rhianon Smyth, is set to return to rallying, six months after an accident that shattered both her legs on August 2, 2009. Rhianon and her brother, Brendan Reeves, were competing in Rally South Australia, the final round of the Australian Rally Championship, when a high speed crash on the rally’s final stage ended their rally and put the pair in the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Rhianon endured a long hospital stay and countless operations to pin her broken legs. Since the accident Rhianon has undergone an extensive rehabilitation program to strengthen her legs and gain back her fitness.
With her courageous ‘never-give-up’ attitude, Rhianon has surpassed her doctor’s expectations and will join Brendo in the co-driver’s seat at Rally Tasmania on February 26, 27 and 28.
After passing her CAMS medical check, a requirement of the International Rally Licence, this week, Rhianon is raring to go and is looking forward to getting back into the car.
“The doctor put me through my paces, making sure my legs were up to the task and I handled all the tests really well. However, I know I still have got a lot of work to do before I get back to my fitness level before the accident, where I was running 6 km a day” she said. “I have been working really hard, doing lots of walking and have started running on my treadmill and my legs are starting to feel quite strong again.”
“Rally Tasmania is probably a good event to start off with. At least the temperatures don’t get as hot as somewhere like Malaysia where you need to be really fit to cope with the humidity.”
“Brendan and I have always done really well in Tassie, too, so we are both looking forward to doing our first rally of the year down there.”
Rhianon would like to thank everyone for their support throughout her recovery. Without the support of the rally community, she said, her progress would not be where it is today.
For more news on Rhianon and Brendan's rallying, visit their website
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