Connect with us

Intercontinental GT Challenge

Massive Accidents Mar Shortened Q1

Multiple cars in question for Bathurst 12H start after massive accidents…

Image: B12HR

Massive accidents from several cars led to a shortened opening qualifying session for the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, which has cast doubt into multiple entries for the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirellis season-opener.

Raffaele Marciello led the way in the reduced session, which set the grid for the GT4 and Invitational classes ahead of a final GT3 qualifying session in Q2 and Top 10 Shootout.

The first red flag came out for the No. 2 Team Valvoline Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo of Frederic Vervisch, who spun off at the McPhillamy Park.

Despite an effort from the Belgian to drive the car back to the pits, it was loaded on a roll-back, with the team working to make repairs in time for Q2.

A second red, meanwhile, was for a more significant accident triggered by contact between the No. 6 Wall Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo of Cameron McConville and Sam Shahin that sent the Triple Eight-run Mercedes-AMG GT3 hard into the wall.

The No. 92 Scandia Racing by Racer Industries Marc II of Tyler Everingham was collected through the dust and sustained significant front-end damage to his Invitational class entry.

Shahin, meanwhile, climbed from the car with assistance from Dirk Mueller, who stopped his Mercedes-AMG GT4 on-track to attend to the Australian driver.

A representative from Marc Cars Australia, meanwhile, indicated that Everinham was awake and alert but sustained a possible left-leg injury and has been transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

Shahin, meanwhile, is expected to be transported to a local hospital as well for precautionary tests.

Based on the level of damage, both cars appear to be done for the weekend.

The lengthy stoppages led to a reduced session that restarted with 24 minutes to go.

GT4 class pole went to the No. 13 of RHC Jorgensen/Strom BMW M4 GT4 of Brett Strom while the No. 91 MARC II of Nick Percat claimed top qualifying honors in the invitational class.

A 30-minute Q2 session for GT3 cars only, to determine the cars advancing to the Top 10 Shootout, gets underway immediately.

RESULTS: Qualifying 1

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

Click to comment
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

More in Intercontinental GT Challenge