IMSA: DeltaWing engineer hospitalized with brain tumor

DeltaWing race engineer Catherine Crawford underwent emergency surgery on Tuesday while on holiday in Italy. According to a statement released by her parents, Max and Jan Crawford of Crawford Composites, Catherine "and her husband Russ were on a business-pleasure trip to Italy when she suffered a severe headache and more serious symptoms were immediately evident."

Doctors in a Rome hospital determined Crawford's symptoms were caused by a brain tumor.

"The surgeons have praised Russ for his swift action in getting Catherine to hospital – something that positively affected the outcome," the statement added. "Our family is here in Rome at present supporting Russ and Catherine. We acknowledge that the road to recovery will be a long one but the surgeons are encouraged by the progress Catherine has displayed already. We want to thank all who have expressed their support and love and at this time we respectfully request privacy."

Crawford has been a leading race engineer in American sportscar racing for many years. Her most recent work with the DeltaWing Racing team in IMSA's WeatherTech SportsCar Championship has resulted in the car's most competitive outings.