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In 1996, in 15 Grand Prix with 199 competitors (including wild cards), 579 fallen riders were recorded. Additionally, physiotherapy treatments only (massages, rehabilitation, machine treatments, laser and ultrasound treatments, magnetotherapy, electrotherapy and electroanalgesia) accounted for 2000 of the total 7000 treatments that year. For these reasons, a 4th Mobile Clinic had to be built, and the number of available beds increased from 3 to 5. The number of highly specialised physiotherapists working in the Mobile Clinic was also increased. This decision was announced, and contact made with the special-truck engineering company Franzisella of Varese, the supplier of the Ferrari F1 Racing Team, late in 1996 at Eastern Creek, in Australia.
Dr. Costa announces his plan to Mick Doohan, Kevin Schwantz and Wayne Rainey.
In the same year 1996, the role of the Medical Director is officially acknowledged, after having already worked at World Championship G.P.'s for 5 years. The Medical Director is a doctor and an expert of the medical rescue system at circuits during races. Before every race, this medical and organisation expert tests, checks, modifies and improves the operating procedure and professionalism of the medical rescue workers. From the race control room, he supervises and co-ordinates medical help, and makes sure that it is correctly and successfully delivered. During practice sessions and races, the MD (Medical Director) must make critical decisions.
The hardest decision to make is whether to let a rider continue his practice, or stop him for a medical check at the Medical Centre after a crash. This task carries a very big responsibility. It is easy to understand how very hard it can be to make this decision. That the Medical Directors have been chosen from the Mobile Clinic pool of doctors is something to feel honoured and proud of. The Medical Directors, extremely experienced at carrying out this difficult task, are Dr. Claudio Macchiagodena and Dr. Ruggero Mattioli, and Dr. Mauro Vivoli, who, with Dr. Massimo Corbascio, works as a Medical Director in the Superbike World Championship.
Dr. Mauro Vivoli was also in charge of organising the medical service at the Formula One Grand Prix held at the Imola circuit in 2000.
Dr. Vivoli was assisted in this very hard and demanding task by the local Health Authority ASL 23 of Imola, which, among other things, has signed an agreement with the Mobile Clinic for the supply of medical services.
The latest Mobile Clinic was officially presented on May 1st, 1997 at the Jerez circuit in Spain. This time, the godfather of the new Clinic was the rider whose story had been most closely linked with that of the Mobile Clinic and of Dr. Costa, Mick Doohan.
On that day, the most prestigious visitor at the Clinic was the King of Spain Juan Carlos, accompanied by Carmelo Ezpeleta, the President of Dorna.

When a very tense Dr. Costa met the King of Spain, that day, he addressed him with these words: "Your Majesty, in this clinic we will try and turn suffering into happiness, but we will not always succeed, while you, an enlightened ruler, will always succeed in doing so for Spain and for the world".
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