Friday Recap: VAILO Adelaide 500

The second day of the VAILO Adelaide 500 has provided spectacular scenes both on and off the race track but it was significant crashes at the famous Turn 8 that was the talking point of the day.

Fans have flocked to the first two days of the event and have not gone home disappointed as on-track practice, qualifying and racing have already put on a show worthy of the 25-year celebration event.

Between sessions, fans have been busy taking in all the sights in the paddocks and activation areas.

 

SUPERCARS

 

Three massive crashes at Turn 8 during qualifying late Friday afternoon stunned race fans, who had never quite seen anything like it before.

Penrite Racing’s Richie Stanaway was the first to clip the wall with his Ford Mustang, then soon after SP Tools Racing’s Cameron Hill suffered a bigger smash into the wall, ricocheting his Chevrolet Camaro into the opposite wall.

Tradie Beer Racing’s David Reynolds made it a trifecta, with his Camaro sliding into that of Hill.

Reynolds had backed up his first practice form on Thursday by topping the time sheets in the second practice session at lunchtime on Friday, putting him in good stead for a successful result this weekend.

Officials called off the qualifying session after a significant delay.

Championship leader Will Brown had posted the fastest time before the session was stopped, followed by Cam Waters, Tom Randle and Brown’s title rival, Broc Feeney.

 

SUPPORT CATEGORIES

 

The first category on track on Friday also experienced the first crash of the day at Turn 8, with Mark Bailey sliding into the wall during Practice 2 of the Trico Trans Am Series.

The category’s first race in the afternoon was led by SA driver Todd Hazelwood from start to finish, after he claimed pole position in qualifying held earlier in the day.

The Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series completed two races on Friday.

Adam Marjoram won the first race in his Isuzu D-MAX from pole position but faced a tougher fight in the second more-spirited race.

He was not leading on the last lap but thanks to several battles between leading contenders, he managed to sneak through to be first past the chequered flag.

Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup was interrupted by two safety cars in succession but the field regrouped for the category’s enduro race of the weekend, with Dale Wood – who won all three of the category’s races in Adelaide last year – again taking the win.

Dunlop Series drivers completed two qualifying sessions to determine the grids for their Saturday and Sunday races.

Zach Bates, Aaron Cameron and Kai Allen qualified 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively – their same positions in the championship – for their first race on Saturday.

The session was cut short because of a massive crash at both Turns 3 and 4 for Reuben Goodall, who clipped the wall, lost a tyre, then slid uncontrolled into the barrier at the end of the runoff.

Cameron managed to turn the tables on Bates in the second race’s qualifying session, while Allen clinched third, to ensure the championship title fight between the three will go down to the wire.

The Boost Mobile Stadium Super Trucks were able to complete qualifying on Friday afternoon, after a Motorsport Australia stewards hearing to discuss technical requirements delayed the session.

Series founder Robby Gordon secured pole position while his son, Max Gordon, qualified second and Matt Brabham third. Shae Davies – the driver who rolled his SST in pit straight on Thursday – qualified fourth.

 

EVENT ATTRACTIONS

 

Race fans have turned out in their droves for the first two days of the special 25th event of the VAILO Adelaide 500.

A record number of school groups passed through the gates on Thursday, also known as Schools Day, with more than 4000 students and teachers from 173 school groups attending as part of the event’s motorsport education program.

Official event and team merchandise stands have recorded a steady stream of shoppers eager to kit themselves out in motorsport gear this weekend, while the discount merchandise sales tent has had a constant lineup of fans looking for a bargain.

The Roulettes completed their first display in the sky in the early afternoon, mesmerising fans with co-ordinated loops in their red airplanes while the Supercars completed practice below them on the track.

The SX1 and SX2 Boost Mobile AusX Supercross Sprint riders completed their qualifying sessions ahead of their Saturday night races at the Supercross track, while the Airtime FMX freestyle motocross riders performed stunts near the Concert Stage.

V8 Nation has been a popular starting attraction for fans heading into the circuit from the city’s East End, with many fans stopping to take photos and admire the bodywork and engines.