A SUFFOLK racing driver who became the first woman ever to qualify for the iconic Indianapolis 500 is recovering today after being hurt in a huge crash that left another British racer dead.

Pippa Mann, 28, was involved in a shocking 15-car pile-up at the IZOD IndyCar Series season finale in Las Vegas on Sunday that left fellow brit Dan Wheldon dead.

Pippa’s last message to fans through her Twitter account was that she was “suited and booted” ahead of the race, encouraging them to “wish me luck”.

But during the 11th lap of the race a massive crash occurred, sending several cars flying through the air.

Pippa’s No. 30 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing car was one of the 15 involved in the crash.

She was launched over the back of the cars of Paul Tracy and Thomas Scheckter, her car catching fire as it somersaulted through the air and leaving her with burns to her right hand.

Her spokeswoman Hannah Griffiths said she had been kept in hospital overnight after being transferred by ambulance following the crash.

She was given treatment at the city’s University Medical Center along with fellow racers J.R. Hildebrand and Will Power but was allowed home yesterday.

Mrs Griffiths said: “IZOD IndyCar Series driver Pippa Mann has been released from the University Medical Center in Las Vegas, following surgery on Sunday evening to clean and assess a severe burn injury to the little finger of her right hand.

“The Rahal Letterman Lanigan driver will require a subsequent surgery in the coming weeks to fully repair the injury, but is expected to make a full recovery.

“Pippa would like to thank everyone for their kind messages. At this time her thoughts are obviously with the Wheldon family.”

Reports in America said Pippa appeared to be the “most shaken” of the drivers following the incident after being extracted by safety crews from her wrecked car and treated by medical staff at the trackside.

Pippa’s parents in Minsmere were unavailable for comment. It is believed her father Clive was at the track when the crash happened and her mother has since flown out to Las Vegas.

Pippa started racing in the US in 2009 and this year moved from the Indy Lights developmental series up to IndyCar, the highest level of motor racing.

Sunday’s race involved 34 cars, each travelling at speeds of more than 200mph around the sloped 1.5mile oval track.