Vanthoor Audi Tops FP5 After Crashes, Kangaroo Stoppage

Dries Vanthoor topped the final practice session for the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, which saw a lengthy stoppage for kangaroos on the track and two heavy crashes.

As the session got underway it was immediately put under red flag conditions with multiple kangaroos sighted on the run up Mountain Straight.

The field slowed as the marsupials hopped in the correct direction on the track through Griffins Bend and up to The Cutting.

No incidents with cars are believed to have occurred, however, a kangaroo was also seen bouncing through Reid Park and The Esses where it escaped the confines of the circuit.

It was more than 25 minutes before track action resumed as event officials ensured all of the local wildlife was clear and the circuit was safe.

Marco Mapelli quickly went fastest as action resumed with a 2:03.549 lap in the No. 63 Orange 1 FFF Racing Team Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo and held the top spot for much of the session.

Vanthoor knocked Mapelli down a peg and put in a 2:03.443 aboard the No. 2 Team Valvoline Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo to go to the top shortly before two heavy crashes in the final minutes of the session.

Oliver Jarvis’ No. 8 Team M-Sport Bentley Continental GT3 appeared to have a brake issue at The Chase and speared across the grass at high speed before impacting the tire wall on the other side of the track.

Simultaneously, Daniel Serra lost control at McPhillamy Park in the No. 27 HubAuto Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 and ended up in the concrete wall on the outside of the corner.

Both cars were significantly damaged in their separate incidents, however, the respective drivers walked away from the scenes.

It’s unclear if either car will be repaired in time for qualifying, which begins at 12:40 p.m. local time.

RESULTS: Free Practice 5