Image: Octopi Media.

A broken rib and two fractured vertebrae have been outlined as the injuries sustained by Dilan Schwartz in 250SX West qualifying at Houston, potentially able to return following the division’s upcoming mid-season break.

The Toyota Redlands BarX Yamaha rider posted the eighth-fastest time in the opening qualifier, before crashing heavily while attempting to improve his lap time in the second timed session, which brought out a red flag.

Attended to by the Alpinestars Mobile Medical Unit, Schwartz was confirmed to have incurred a broken rib and two fractured vertebrae in the impact, however, he fortunately did not lose feeling or movement.

“It’s a huge bummer for Dilan and the team to lose our most experienced rider and the camaraderie that he and his teammates had built this season,” said team manager Bradley Taft. “The good news is it’s a best-case scenario given the severity of his injuries.

“He will most likely only miss the next two races [before the western division break], and then he could potentially be back for the East/West Showdown in Birmingham in March.”

The incident is a significant setback for the 23-year-old Californian, who recorded 10-9-11 results across the opening three rounds and sits 12th in the 250SX West standings.

Following Glendale and Seattle for the western division, 250SX East begins in Arlington on February 21, with Daytona and Indianapolis preceding the first 250SX East/West Showdown at Birmingham on March 21, offering Schwartz a potential six-week recovery window should he return in Alabama.