An opening lap crash has marred the second Kumho V8 Touring Car race of the weekend at Phillip Island.
The incident occurred on the opening lap of the race, and was triggered by contact between the Falcon AU of Chris Delfsma and the Commodore VY of Jim Pollicina on the run down to Turn 4.
Delfsma’s car was shot out of the pack in the clash, sliding across the infield before making heavy contact with the Commodore VY of series debutant Shawn Jamieson.
Jamieson had been running in the middle of a three-wide battle with Matt Hansen and Bruce Heinrich, who both escaped with minimal damage.
The incident comes after Race 1 for the category had to be red flagged yesterday following a crash from Aaron Tebb at the fast Turn 12.
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Delfsma told Speedcafe.com that he was a passenger in the Race 2 carnage as soon as the initial contact was made.
“Coming into Turn 4 there was some space down the inside of Jim which I opted to take,” said Delfsma.
“There was plenty of space there at the time but unfortunately its seems there was something going on on the other side of Jim’s car that forced him over and we connected wheels.
“That launched me up into the air, and the trajectory just took it sideways onto the grass. From there I was just a complete passenger sliding along hoping we wouldn’t hit anyone.”
Terry Wyhoon survived a one-lap shootout to the flag after the ensuing Safety Car period to all but wrap up the 2011 crown.
Justin Garioch took second from Scott Loadsman, Hansen, Pollicina, Michael Bartsch, Chris Smerdon, Michael Hector, John Vergotis and Shaun Fennel.
The final Kumho V8 Touring Car race of the season will take place later this afternoon.
A multi-kart incident in Race 2 of the Australian Superkart Championship round has also contributed to delaying the day’s racing program at Phillip Island. As many as 11 karts were involved in a collision at the Southern Loop. A Superkart Championship spokesman confirmed to Speedcafe.com that only minor injuries were sustained.
