Drivers recall ‘awkward’ Lap 1 incident
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 12 July 2025
The start of Saturday’s Race 21 at the Townsville 500 was disrupted by a strange multi-car tangle coming out of Turn 3.
The likes of Cameron Waters, Thomas Randle, Jaxon Evans and James Golding were all involved in a clash that produced an instant Safety Car.
Waters, Randle and Evans all tried to exit the tight right-hander three wide, and it did not work out as they sandwiched each other, and chaos unfolded.
Randle spun Evans, who in turn sent Waters around into a complete 360.
Meanwhile, behind them, Golding was left with nowhere to go and tripped over Randle.
The impact was so severe that the PremiAir Camaro shot airborne before landing wedged with the inside fence, having climbed all over Randle and the witness marks were substantial from the C Pillar to the windscreen.
Golding admitted he was trying to be as aware as possible, but could not avoid it.
“It’s been a rough weekend, and today’s race result wasn’t what we needed, considering we needed the laps today,” Golding said.
“The focus at the start of the race was to get a clear run through and avoid any incidents. I was max awareness, as much as I could, into turn one where there were cars coming together, and I went as tight as I could to avoid them.
“At Turn 3, I could see cars moving around a lot on the outside, so I went as far right as I could, and a car half spun ahead and turned right, which wedged me into the wall.
“I feel I was lucky not to roll.
“I haven’t seen the car yet, but hopefully, because it hit square on the wall, it won’t be too bad.”
“It was just a bit awkward, kind of in the middle of Jaxon rejoining and Cam was there. What do you do? Obviously ruined both our races, Cam and mine,” Randle said.
“I saw his diffuser and his rear wheel land… there’s a tyre mark on the windscreen.
“It was pretty scary, but I’m glad we’re both okay… it broke the front left damper, but the fact that we’d finished, albeit five laps down with the way the car is, I’m just real sorry for the whole crew.”
For Evans, it was the latest blow in a rotten run of luck as his last four starts read DNF, DNS, DNS and DNF.
“It’s hard to believe that we’ve ended another day like this,” Evans said.
“Again, thank you to the crew for their efforts, they’ve proved time and time again how amazing they are at what they do. Here’s to hoping we have a better day tomorrow.”
Image: Fox Sports
2025 Townsville 500
FRIDAY 11th July
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