BATHURST 1000
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Chaz Mostert’s massive crash on The Esses during yesterday’s V8 Supercars qualifying session resulted in a logistical nightmare for organisers regarding today’s program.
The problem regarding the defending Bathurst champion’s wipeout at the top of Mount Panorama was that it came when no driver had yet set a time.
People watching on were left with two big questions when racing was called to a halt for the day under the red flag: What were the conditions of those involved and how would a Top 10 Shootout field be decided?
The more pressing, and important, former question was answered first in a statement from V8 Supercars shortly after 5pm yesterday.
It was confirmed that Mostert was airlifted to hospital with a fractured left femur and fractured left wrist.
Initially it was stated by V8 Supercars that five marshalls were involved in the crash with four suffering minor injuries and one with a serious, but stable, chest injury.
That was clarified almost an hour and a half later to say that seven officials were involved – two with minor injuries and one taken to Orange hospital in a stable condition.
“Our number one priority is the safety of our drivers and officials. Our thoughts are with Chaz and his family and the marshals who do an incredible job,” V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said in the first statement.
“I’d like to thank the specialist emergency response teams and medical staff at the circuit.”
The man who earlier in the day set Mount Panorama alight with his record two minute and 4.9097 second time in practice, Jamie Whincup, offered his support for Mostert.
On any other day Whincup’s lap would have been the biggest story, but the carnage of Mostert’s incident cast a shadow over it.
“It’s never nice seeing an accident like the one Chaz had. It’s just a reminder that our sport is dangerous and at the end of the day we are strapped in to missiles,” he said.
“The last thing we want to see is anyone hurt and something like this reminds us we’re all part of a big family and united together in the sport. I’ve got my fingers crossed for Chaz and I wish him the best in his recovery.”
The other big question regarding what the revised schedule for today’s racing would look like was a little more difficult to clarify.
However, late last night V8 Supercars confirmed that qualifying would be inserted into today’s schedule as a 30-minute session from 12.30-1pm.
The Top 10 Shootout remains in place at 5.10pm.
No support categories sessions were lost.
After such a tumultuous day on the Mountain, drivers were grateful just to get some time on the track.
“We really had to dig deep to prepare ourselves for that qualifying session, which we made some good changes for. We only did an out lap and in lap in that qualifying session, but I feel we’re in the rhythm now,” Nissan’s Rick Kelly said.
“All of that becomes less important when you look at what just happened. Safety is obviously everyone’s first concern. It’s disheartening to see that, it’s an example of how the Mountain is sometimes, and you have to show it a large amount of respect, because it can bite.
“For us, like everyone else, our thoughts are with the people that have been involved, and hopefully we can continue on with the weekend once all of that gets sorted out.”