Clipsal 500 - A Ford Crash & Bash

The Clipsal 500 turned into a Ford crash and bash affair as some of the leading Ford drivers took each other out of the race. The Ford motor sport executives must be at breaking point after the scuffle between Craig Lowndes and James Courtney not only badly damaged both of their cars, but also put an end to Mark Winterbottom's race.

Jamie Whincup has every reason to smile after taking out the top position on the podium in the final race with the Holdens of young up and coming star Lee Holdsworth and long time campaigner Cameron McConville making up the top three positions. Lee Holdsworth made a name for himself at the Oran Park championship round in 2007 with a stunning drive in the rain and has now proved that it was sheer driving talent that is propelling him to bigger and better results in the big league. Cameron McConville was visibly emotional with the success in his first race with a new team and new team sponsor, after some difficult years in the sport.

First of the non podium finishers was Todd Kelly in his first race in the Jack Daniels Racing Commodore, in what could only be an encouraging start to his task of returning the Perkins Motor Sport team to their former glory as a front running team. The rest of the top ten were, Shane VanGisbergin, Rick Kelly, Tasman Motor Sport team mates Greg Murphy and Jason Richards, Steven Johnson and Jason Bright.

Both Holden Racing Team Commodores of Garth Tander and Mark Skaife suffered uncharacteristic mechanical failures which left them floundering at the rear of the field.

The successes of the day were overshadowed by a massive accident in the Fujitsu development series, that saw Ashley Cooper suffer massive head and abdominal injuries at the notorious turn 8. Most of the current drivers have hit the high speed sweeping turn 8 wall, which is taken at around 220kmh, at some stage in their careers. Until now all have escaped major injury. Sadly, Ashley Cooper succumbed to his injuries and our thoughts are with his family and team at this time.