As Supercars readies for a return to Queensland Raceway, on this day 20 years ago in 2005, the now familiar Triple Eight strategy play paid off for Craig Lowndes, while Jason Richards suffered his infamous rollover.
The seventh round of the 2005 V8 Supercars season was a single 90-lap mini enduro on Sunday where Lowndes took his second win in Triple Eight colours.
However, the race is most fondly remembered for one of the most spectacular incidents of the 21st century.
On Lap 43 the Kiwi was spun by Paul Morris coming out of Turn 3 and sent the Tasman Motorsport Commodore over an inside kerb at 140km/h which sent the car into a sickening sequence of flips and rolls.
Richards was transported to Ipswich Hospital and admitted he was shaken in the aftermath.
“I’ve still got a bit of a sore back but I actually feel a lot better than what I thought,” he said.
“I found it difficult to sleep.
“I am very, very, very disappointed with Paul and what happened.
“He just turned hard right into me and it surprised the hell out of me.
“My helmet strap crushed into my voice box and I have got a sore neck from where my HANS device has dug in.”
The aftermath saw “nearly everything broken” on the Tasman Motorsport Commodore.
Morris remained unrepentant.
“He should have left room for me and we both could have got through the corner,” Morris said.
“Unfortunately, he kept pushing me wide. I was going to hit the kerb so I turned right because I had nowhere to go.
“Even if I had braked I would have hit the kerb, so I decided to Turn right.”
Incredibly Carrera Cup driver Cameron McLean and Formula Ford driver Brett Hobson also both flipped airborne on the same track and same weekend.
The cover of Auto Action magazine featuring Jason Richards’ wild ride.
The fight for victory proved to be an intriguing, race-long stoush between Lowndes and SBR superstar Marcos Ambrose.
Following the compulsory pit stops for refuelling and tyres, the outcome hinged upon Triple Eight’s lightning 3.4s two-tyre exchange that leapfrogged Lowndes ahead of then leader Ambrose, who changed four tyres.
The call by SBR came after a Darwin drama, where the back-to-back champion suffered a flat tyre.
But the perceived benefit of four versus two tyres failed to materialise as Lowndes beat poleman Ambrose by 3.2s.
Completing the podium was Garth Tander, who rose from eighth to third.
Starting sixth HRT hero Mark Skaife had to settle for 12th after an unforced error undid his impressive build up.
“Marcos was quicker at the start, but after we leapfrogged him, the circuit changed,” Lowndes conceded.
“Turns 3 and 6 really gripped up and got faster as the race wore on.
“After the early stop we had to go 75 laps on the same tyres, but the car was consistent and i only had one problem when the rear of the car kicked out riding bumps into Turn 1.”
Ambrose described the strategy play as a championship lead defending measure.
“Beaten by a better driver and car today,” Ambrose said.
“It was a championship decision, safety at the less of track position.
“If I am going to get beaten, then I want it to be by a Ford and one that uses SBR engines.”
Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here.
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