» V8s: Bright undergoes surgery for broken ribs

$Jason Bright has had surgery on a fractured rib$

Jason Bright will have a race against time to be fit enough for this weekend’s Norton 360 Sandown Challenge after undergoing surgery for a rib fracture.

The Brad Jones Racing Holden driver was ruled out of action ahead of last Sunday’s second race at Symmons Plains after he developed severe pains in his right ribs over the course of the weekend. Semi-retired V8s driver Cameron McConville was called up as a last-minute replacement, finishing 19th after starting from the back of the grid.

Bright underwent chest x-rays at Launceston Hospital’s emergency wing before he flew home to Melbourne to further tests.

MRI and CT scans showed an old rib fracture on his right-hand-side, although fortunately there was no evidence of cartilage separation or muscular tears, as can often happen with these types of injuries.

Bright has said he believed he sustained the injury during a driver change at the L&H 500 at Phillip Island in September, when he struck the edge of his race seat.

Bright posted this picture of his hospital visit on Twitter

“Had a small procedure this morning and ribs feel a lot better,” he wrote on his Twitter feed. “Feeling optimistic about running this weekend now.”

With practice for the Sandown Challenge kicking off on Friday morning, Bright will need clearance from medical officials before he is allowed to participate. He will receive further pain management injections to demonstrate his fitness to compete.

[Images via Fox Sports and Jason Bright]