McLeod reflects on ‘really scary’ crash
Cameron McLeod admits he was “surprised to walk away uninjured” from his “really scary” roll over in the final Super2 race at Perth.
McLeod and Cooper Murray were fighting for position coming out of the “bowl” at Wanneroo, but front to rear contact from the Eggleston Motorsport car sent the Coke Commodore spearing off track.
It was a near identical incident to Scott Pye’s infamous 2013 crash, but on this occasion, McLeod’s car went airborne and was sent into a horrifying roll at the fastest part of the track.
Cameron McLeod’s spectacular but horrifying crash at Perth. Image: Fox Sports
It flipped three times before finally coming to rest on its wheels, facing 180 degrees just over the rise.
McLeod wałked away from the scene and revealed he remains fine, three days on, but admitted it was easily the scariest moment of his career.
“I am fine. I have not had any problems as of yet,” McLeod confirmed to AUTO ACTION.
“It was definitely a spectacular and big shunt and I am pretty surprised I walked away uninjured.
“I don’t know why but it felt like it went for an eternity.
“I was wide awake the whole way so I felt everything. It was a really, really scary experience.
“But I was pretty relaxed and Dr Carl (Le) was amazing.
“It was like you were in a matchbox car and you were thrown down a flight of stairs by a toddler.”
New judicial footage from Cooper Murray’s onboard camera. Image: Supercars
Just before lunch on Wednesday the stewards confirmed Murray had been disqualified from the race for his part in the accident.
A hearing took place on Sunday, before being adjourned at the request of Eggleston Motorsport.
It was reconvened on Wednesday where Murray accepted a reckless driving charge and the disqualification.
McLeod believes that is a fair penalty.
“It is pretty fair,” he responded.
“I was reading around that people saying it was completely my fault and some pretty rude stuff.
New judicial footage from Cooper Murray’s onboard camera. Image: Supercars
“But I did not really care because I knew I was in the right and had already seen that footage and just had to wait until the vision went out.
“The only reason why it looked like there was overlap is because he was already under my rear bar.
“I knew he was there which is why I blocked, but I also knew there was no overlap so I could keep moving over.
“I got the feeling I was pushed forward and then a spin out rather than a straight hit in the side, so I knew he just hit me in the rear bar and had me off.
“I knew it as soon as it happened and it is just disappointing.”
New judicial footage from Cooper Murray’s onboard camera. Image: Supercars
Post race both drivers spoke in the paddock and McLeod stated there is “no need for bad blood.”
As for chassis itself that was formally raced in Supercars by Lee Holdsworth, Chris Pither, Garry Jacobson and James Golding, it is still unclear whether it will be raceble or a write off with the team yet to fully assess the damage.
Despite the sad end to the weekend, with the race finishing under a red flag, McLeod was still classified with a career-best third.
Prior to the crash the 2023 Mike Kable Young Gun had shown a lot more speed than the Bathurst opener, which had seen him shoot up to fifth in the championship.
Cameron McLeod had been on the pace at Wanneroo. Image: PremiAir
Whilst his car is damaged, his confidence isn’t, with McLeod hoping Perth can be a turning point in the right direction.
“The year is not over. I am fifth in the championship standings and the year is still on,” he said.
“We just have to get to Townsville and salvage something together for that round hopefully we will be alright.
“Up until the incident, the car had been pretty good. We have just been creeping up on it since day one and the boys did a mega job getting it to how we wanted it to be and on Sunday it was pretty much spot on.
“The only setback will be the car. I personally will be fine getting back on track.”
Whilst it’s unclear the extent of the chassis damage, Ryan McLeod Racing Cars and PremiAir have until July 19-21 to get things sorted for Townsville.
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