A thunderstorm has forced officials to suspend Sunday’s 300km Supercars race on the Gold Coast after 37 of 102 laps.

Heavy rain and lightning hit the Surfers Paradise street circuit with race control deeming the track unsafe a few laps later.

The suspension came too late for defending champion Jamie Whincup whose co-driver Paul Dumbrell collided with a wall as the rain began to get heavier.

Erebus Motorsport’s Anton de Pasquale is the race leader after the suspension ahead of co-drivers Garry Jacobson and Alex Davison.

Championship leader Scott McLaughlin is in ninth position with main rival Shane Van Gisbergen in 11th.

It’s uncertain at this stage if the race will restart or if it will have to be called off. If at least 51 laps aren’t completed, no points will be awarded.