Couple hurt in sidecar crash

Hawke's Bay husband-and-wife sidecar crew Kim and Kerry Johnston were taken to hospital after a mid-race crash.

Hawke's Bay husband-and-wife sidecar crew Kim and Kerry Johnston have been injured in a mid-race crash in Wellington on Saturday night.

It is believed the duo were competing in the Wellington Sidecar Championship, which Wellington Family Speedway was hosting.

The pair were taken to Wellington Hospital but yesterday afternoon Kim Johnston had been discharged.

His wife Kerry remained in hospital, but Mr Johnston said she was "OK". A Wellington Hospital spokeswoman confirmed a female was in a stable condition in Wellington Hospital but would not give any other details about the injuries she sustained.

Speedway New Zealand president David Jones of Hawke's Bay said he could not say much about Saturday night's crash because it had not yet been investigated.

He did say it looked to be a "racing incident" which could mean a number of things.

Mr Jones said the Johnstons were very well known and respected people at the Meeanee Speedway.

A Wellington Family Speedway spokesman declined to comment on the incident.

The pair won their most recent Hawke's Bay at Meeanee Speedway in December.

They rode to their victory on a borrowed bike while theirs was raced by former national champion Mike Zachan, who was attempting to eliminate handling issues.