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Race 22 red-flagged after start-line crash

31 Jul 2022
Heimgartner collects stalled Randle
2 mins by James Pavey

Race 22 has been red-flagged after a major start-line incident involving Thomas Randle and Andre Heimgartner.

Tickford rookie Randle, who qualified a career-best second, failed to get off the line.

Brad Jones Racing driver Heimgartner, who started 12th, careened into Randle.

The #8 R&J Batteries car hit the #55 Castrol Racing Mustang at an estimated 120km/h.

Heimgartner emerged behind a fast-starting Lee Holdsworth, and had nowhere to go.

Nick Percat, who started 14th, was also implicated in the incident.

The race was immediately suspended, with cars ordered to pit lane due to debris on the pit straight.

The front damage to the #8 Commodore

Both Randle and Heimgartner alighted from their cars under their own steam.

They were taken to the circuit medical centre, before being sent to Adelaide for precautionary scans.

"He was certainly going pretty quickly when he hit him," Brad Jones, Heimgartner's team owner, said.

"Andre's okay, which is the important thing... I'd be very surprised if we can get the thing going again.

"It's really badly damaged... lucky no one is hurt."

Tickford boss Tim Edwards added: "Unfortunately Andre was blindsided, it's unfortunate for both of them.

"Thankfully they both got out, they're both a little bit sore."

Heimgartner is helped from his car

Percat picked up damage in the incident, and was the third car unable to make the restart.

Randle's car deflected into the path of Percat, who suffered right front damage.

Percat brought his #2 Mobil 1 NTI Commodore to a halt around the lap.

Officials confirmed the race would resume with a standing start.

Shane van Gisbergen went on to win ahead of Chaz Mostert and James Courtney.

It's the fourth race to be suspended this season due to a crash following incidents in Tasmania, Perth and Darwin.

Replays showed Shane van Gisbergen also picked up damage after a skirmish with Cam Waters.

Series leader van Gisbergen, who started third, made front-to-rear contact with pole-sitter Waters.

Red Bull Ampol Racing mechanics tended to van Gisbergen's car during the stoppage.

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