Brodie Kostecki rode a seven-lap security automotive to his maiden Supercars checkered flag in weird circumstances at Albert Park on Friday.
Damaged grid lights, devilish gravel traps and a flaming Mustang dominated the narrative simply two laps into the 15-lapper in Melbourne however by half race size it was the Erebus Motorsport ace Kostecki who was declared Race 4 victor.
When Jack Le Brocq discovered the wall on lap seven it was sufficient for stewards to name an early finish to the second race of the Melbourne SuperSprint, which threw a whole spherical’s price of surprises on the grid all of sudden.
The drama began on the lap to grid with the grid lights refusing to work, forcing officers to return to the previous methodology of waving a flag to start the race.
Will Brown stole a march on pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen to succeed in flip one within the lead, however that’s all of the aggressive driving available as David Reynolds went flying into the gravel close to the again of the sphere.
The primary of two security vehicles entered the observe and whereas the drivers slowly lapped Albert Park, catastrophe struck.
Walkinshaw Andretti United star Nick Percat’s No.2 Ford Mustang appeared to spontaneously catch fireplace from beneath the hood and he was rapidly ushered to the aspect of the observe to be met with fireplace extinguishers.
“I do know what I’ve on clothes smart I’m going to be secure, I don’t know what occurred,” Percat informed Fox Sports activities.
“I believed I may scent one thing down the again straight, possibly the exhaust or one thing.
“Subsequent factor I’m like ‘oh my god I’m on fireplace’.”
The incident marks Percat’s second technical DNF in 4 races and it’s not the primary time he has had his automotive set alight.
When driving for BJR, Percat’s car was full of fireplace on the Townsville race.
Along with his day over, driving resumed and Kostecki emerged from a five-wide race to the lead.
The chaos continued as vehicles started to enter the pits for his or her mandated stops and the race order was thrown into turmoil — compounded by Le Brocq coming along with the wall which introduced out the second security automotive.
Race management determined it had seen sufficient and relayed its resolution to finish the race beneath the protection automotive, handing Kostecki his maiden Supercars Championship victory in really weird circumstances.
In all of the carnage it was the Snowy Rivers Mustang of James Courtney that made its approach into P2 by the point the second security automotive was deployed, whereas van Gisbergen adopted the procession dwelling for third.
Initially printed as Australian Grand Prix 2023 Supercars outcomes: Brodie Kostecki claims win, Nick Percat’s automotive on fireplace
