Barbagallo puts on a show
Glorious sunshine and big crowds greeted the V8 Supercar fraternity upon their return to Barbagallo Raceway after a one-year absence. And the big West Aussie crowd witnessed a great weekend of racing across all categories; in addition to one of the most spectacular accidents we’ve seen in V8 Supercars in recent times.
The footage of Steve Owen crashing into the back of Karl Reindler, causing a spectacular fireball that engulfed both cars, is sure to be replayed over and over again in the coming years. Thankfully both drivers escaped major injury with Reindler going to hospital to treat minor burns to his hands and smoke inhalation.
XXXX GOLD ambassador Jamie Whincup took the event with two wins and a second place over the weekend, bouncing back from his difficult weekend in New Zealand to extend his Championship lead. Meanwhile, Jason Bright scored his first win in four years and the first for Brad Jones Racing in the second race of the weekend, joined on the podium by teammate Jason Bargwanna – a popular result for the crowd favourite.
It was a great weekend of racing as the soft tyres spiced up the show on Sunday, while the crowd was kept entertained throughout the three-day event with some spectacular racing in the Fujitsu Series, Superbikes and Utes, not to mention the Touring Car Masters and the returning Carrera Cup series.
Local boxing champ Danny Green had an interesting weekend, stepping into a Paul Morris Motorsports Commodore, spinning at turn six on his first lap out of the pits! At least he got to taste some champagne when he presented trophies on the podium following the final V8 race of the weekend, cheekily sprayed with some bubbly by runner-up Jason Bright.
After the last two V8 Supercar events were hit by rain, the sunshine was much appreciated. And the fans lapped it up, coming out in big numbers. A popular destination for the fans was the XXXX GOLD Retreat, perched on the banking at turn two with a great panoramic view of the front straight. And they sure did see their fair share of action on the front straight!
