Eddie Lawson Injured During Practice

Eddie Lawson, four-time world motorcycle road racing champion, suffered a broken right heel and a broken left ankle Friday when he crashed during practice for the United States Grand Prix at Laguna Seca Raceway.

Lawson, 31, crashed on Turn 2 of the 2.18-mile course, a sharp left turn that follows the front straightaway, where riders reach speeds of 160 m.p.h. Lawson approached the turn at a high speed on his Yamaha but failed to slow down when his front brakes reportedly malfunctioned.

Lawson, of Upland, was taken to Community Hosital in Monterey, where physicians estimated that he would be unable to race for two months.

Last Sunday, Lawson crashed in the 1990 season opener in Japan when he collided with Mike Doohan of Australia. Neither was seriously injured, but Lawson failed to finish the race. Hewon at Laguna Seca in 1988 and finished third last year en route to the 1989 world championship.

Lawson was the fourth-fastest rider in Friday’s practice session before the crash, trailing Wayne Gardner of Australia and Americans Kevin Schwantz and Wayne Rainey. Two qualifying sessions are scheduled today.