Defending champion Chaz Mostert has been airlifted to hospital with a broken leg after a spectacular crash during Bathurst 1000 qualifying that also injured five trackside marshals.
Mostert, 23, suffered leg and wrist fractures in the horror crash that suspended Bathurst 1000 qualifying until Saturday.
One marshal was taken to hospital in a stable condition with a suspected chest injury while another four suffered minor complaints.
V8 Supercars young gun Mostert pinballed off the walls as he reached the Forrest’s Elbow section just minutes into the meeting’s first qualifying session on Friday afternoon.
“Our No.1 priority is the safety of our drivers and officials,” V8 Supercars boss James Warburton said.
“Our thoughts are with Chaz and his family and the marshals who do an incredible job.
“I’d like to thank the specialist emergency response teams and medical staff at the circuit.”
Mostert’s parents Eddie and Maree were present in the team garage during the crash.
It marked Mostert’s second horror crash in three years on the mountain.
Mostert emerged unscathed when he made heavy contact at Reid Park with his Ford in 2013 practice on his Bathurst 1000 debut.
Last year, he won the Great Race with Paul Morris in a famous last-to-first effort.
“First of all, we hope Chaz is alright. He’s got to get back on the horse, but it’s a pretty powerful horse,” two-time Bathurst champion Russell Ingall told Seven Network.
“This may re-live memories (of previous crash for Mostert).”
V8 Supercars officials are yet to release Saturday’s re-jigged qualifying schedule.