A Southland NZ Super Truck competitor who was behind the driver involved in a spectacular crash in Invercargill says it’s all part of motorsport.
Garry Price, of Winton, was behind Pukekohoe driver David West when West lost control of his Freightliner Argosy and hit the barrier on pit straight at Tertonga Park on Saturday.
Price said his reaction was automatic as soon as it was apparent West was going to crash.
“I just thought ‘I’ve got to get out of the way’.”
Price got out of his truck to check West wasn’t hurt, and West climbed out of the wreckage himself before being taken to Southland Hospital to be assessed.
A St John Clinical Control spokesman said West had moderate injuries.
A Southland Hospital spokeswoman said West was discharged on Saturday.
Price said there was no warning that something had gone wrong, but crashes came with the territory.
“It happened just like that. But it’s all part of motorsport. It’s what you do at speedway.”
Racing was suspended for more than two hours while officials worked to replace the broken barrier, and the first Super Truck race scheduled for later in the day was cancelled as a result of the crash.
The Toyota Racing Series race was packed full of incidents on Saturday, with three safety car periods and two red flag stoppages as several cars left the circuit.
Force India Academy protege Jehan Daruvala, of India, led home former World Karting Champion Lando Norris of the UK in an exciting finish with Antoni Ptak of Poland third and Brazilian Pedro Piquet fourth. The final restart decided the race as Daruvala got the jump on Norris who had led for much of the distance while local star Brendon Leitch lost out, falling from third to fifth.
The BNT NZ Touring Car race was held in wet conditions at the end of the day with Australian-based Andre Heimgartner leading home Aucklanders Simon Evans and Mitchell Cunningham in another drama-filled race. In Class 2, Invercargill-based Ford driver Liam MacDonald led Wellington’s Brock Cooley over the line with Nathan Pilcher, of Dunedin, third.
Paul Kelly, of Christchurch, won the ENZED Central Muscle Car race in his Pontiac Transam after fastest qualifier Andy Knight, of Christchurch, retired late in the race. Dean Perkins, of Pukekohe, was second in his Ford Falcon with Graeme Allan, of Christchurch, in a Camaro third and Southland driver Brendan Mason fourth.
Michael Scott, of Te Puke, led the qualifying times in both the Formula Ford and the Toyota Finance 86 Series. He converted the Formula Ford pole to a race win, leading Aaron Marr, of Wanganui, across the line with Hunter McElrea, of Australia, third. However, in the Toyota 86 race it was Callum Quin, of Auckland, who took an early lead and despite a safety car period and a red flag he held off John Penny who had driven through the field with Jamie McNee third ahead of Scott and championship leader Ash Blewett, of Auckland.
Racing continues at Teretonga on Sunday with adult tickets available at the gate for $35. Children 14 and under are free if accompanied by an adult. The action begins at 9am.
