MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA CLARIFIES PERKINS FIRE SITUATION

Motorsport Australia has published its review of Jack Perkins’ car fire in the first race of the Super2 Series round at Townsville, reinforcing their focus on circuit safety.

The incident occurred in Saturday’s Super2 and Super3 race after Zak Best was nudged sideways by Tyler Everingham at Turn 3.

Perkins’ #88 Holden Commodore was one of multiple cars that were caught in a consequent smash, and shortly after a fire began to take hold under his bonnet.

Live coverage showed the driver urgently signalling to marshals that assistance was required.

In a statement, Motorsport Australia explained why it took 41s for the fire response team to arrive at the scene.

“Car 88 stopped at an infield access gate not used or manned during competition and it is not a marshal’s post. As such, there were no fire extinguishers available at this point,” the statement read.

“There was a marshal post approximately 60m from this incident on the opposite side of the circuit.”

“It is a well-established protocol that our officials cannot cross a ‘hot track’ until given approval from Race Control once it is safe to do so.

“In this case, the barrier was on the track edge making access potentially dangerous at that time.

Perkins’ Eggleston Motorsport teammate Matthew McLean was seen assisting the fire crews, manning an extinguisher in efforts to salvage the car.

Motorsport Australia clarifies Jack Perkins fire situation – Image: InSyde Media

Both Eggleston Motorsport cars were heavily damaged, the first race of the weekend was brought to a halt with six laps left because of the incident.

Motorsport Australia also defended their range of safety resources available on race day.

“There were 19 signed marshal posts across the Reid Park Circuit, all of which have three fire extinguishers available at each,” the statement clarified.

“Given the length of the track, this averages out to a marshal post with extinguishers approximately every 150m.

“There were also several fire response vehicles located around the circuit.”

Cars in Super2 and Super3 are fitted with their own individual fire extinguishers to use in permitting circumstances. Perkins did not activate this in the time before crews arrived.

While nobody was injured in the Saturday collisions and ensuing blaze, the statement also reiterated Motorsport Australia’s commitment to safety.

“Circuit safety is our paramount responsibility, and while no one likes to see a car on fire we need to ensure our competitors and responding volunteer marshals’ safety is our number one priority,” the statement concluded.

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