Pye escapes horror crash in Practice 3

Scott Pye has walked away from a heavy crash after suffering brake failure in the third Supercars practice session at Queensland Raceway.

The DJR Team Penske Ford slammed head-on into the Turn 3 tyre barrier in the closing stages of the 15 minute session.

Coming to rest with the front of his Falcon atop the tyre wall, Pye was able to climb unhurt out of the passenger side door.

The crash immediately brought out the red flags, with officials soon informing that the session would not be resumed.

DJR Team Penske managing director Ryan Story confirmed that the team had changed rear discs on the Falcon just prior to the crash.

“I swear I’ve had one legit crash in this series and I’ve had so many mechanicals,” said Pye.

“I must be the unluckiest driver out there.

“I hit the brake pedal and it was solid and then clicked to the floor. That’s a horrible feeling when that happens.

“It came back up and I went for it again and I think it was only front brakes. It locked both front wheels and went straight on.

“Just before I hit the wall I braced, let go of the wheel and copped it sweet.

“The track safety there was really good.

“Going in you fear the worst but fortunately it lifted the car as well.

“It was kind of like Tasmania (in 2013 when Pye had a brake failure in a LDM Holden) where it absorbed it a bit so the force wasn’t too bad.

“It’s a real shame for the boys, it makes their job a lot harder now and it’s not the time where I need to be out of the car.

“I need to be in there doing the best job I can. I’m just gutted at the moment.”

Mark Winterbottom had been following Pye when the crash occurred.

“Down into Turn 3 we all brake at around the 130 metre mark and his brake lights came on at the 100 marker,” said The Bottle-O Ford driver.

“I thought if he’s going that deep then I’ve got a lot of work to do.

“Then the smoke came off the tyres and I didn’t see what happened.

“Thankfully he’s walked away. Front-on impacts are always the worst.

“He obviously had a failure and if he could have pulled it up he would have been a hero.”

Jamie Whincup ended the session fastest from Winterbottom, Chris Pither, Craig Lowndes and James Courtney.

Among those that did not get their lap in due to the red flags was Fabian Coulthard, who ended up 24th.

Qualifying will take place from 1330 local time.

Result: Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Coates Hire Ipswich Super Sprint Practice 3