Recovering young driver eyes Indy Lights and IndyCar

Picho Toledano

Three years ago, following a severe crash in a Formula Renault 2.0 car, Alfonso “Picho" Toledano was faced with the prospect of losing both his legs. He was told that amputation was imminent and he would never race again. Difficult words for anyone to grasp, but even more difficult for a 17-year-old kid whose dream – for the past 13 years – was to become a professional racecar driver. The outlook was so disheartening and dreadful that Toledano refused to accept it.

The accident happened in 2007, at the Ponce Circuit in Puerto Rico. Toledano came through a blind corner and lost his brakes before impacting another car which had come to a halt due to a previous incident. Both of Toledano’s legs sustained multiple fractures in the crash. While laying in a Puerto Rican hospital bed, it was suggested, by the FIA, that he be flown to Indianapolis, Indiana for a comprehensive examination by OrthoIndy. Toledano wasn’t about to argue. The doctors in Indianapolis – who had experience working with the IRL – were a bit more familiar with this type of injury and suggested immediate surgery. Not that there was any other option at that point, but they remained relatively sanguine about saving his legs. The first surgery, on his right leg, lasted eight hours. The very next week, he underwent surgery on his left leg. All together he had 18 surgeries. More…..