Bathurst Top 10 Shootout is CANCELLED for the first time in history due to torrential rain

The Top 10 shootout for the Bathurst 1000 was canceled for the first time in history after ‘crazy’ torrential rains ravaged the Mount Panorama circuit, making it unsafe for drivers.

The worst weather has ravaged the mountain for most of the past three days, with torrential downpours causing major flooding in New South Wales.

Motorsport Australia officials have spent over an hour considering whether or not to allow the top 10 drivers from Friday’s first qualifying session to determine their starting order for Sunday’s race.

But it was deemed unsafe after the last races of the Super2 and Toyota 86 series were also canned, with occasional rivers of water on the track.

Organizers said the shootout was “cancelled due to extreme weather, leaving the track in an unsafe condition for competition”

It is the first time since the shooting was introduced in 1978 that it has been canceled.

‘Of course we had that heavy rain shower, there was a lot in it. There was a lot of running around the track,” said Shane Howard, CEO of Supercars.

Cam Waters starts from pole position after the first qualifying session

Waters (front) and other drivers had to negotiate under incredibly difficult circumstances on Friday

“The officials gave it every chance they could by giving it some time to see if it improved, [they] actually tried to reroute where the main watercourse came on the track itself.

“Unfortunately it was just too much there and it didn’t go away and it just shot around the track, especially exiting corner one very badly.

“So the officials thought it was unsafe to participate and of course we cannot jeopardize the safety of the drivers. It’s extremely disappointing for everyone.’

The full grid for the Bathurst 1000 was instead determined based on the results of the first qualifying and it means that Cam Waters will start from pole.

But as the rain continued to plague Mount Panorama, organizers decided to cancel the Top 10 Shootout, which was scheduled for Saturday.

The 2022 Bathurst 1000 is expected to be the wettest ever

It means Tickford Racing’s Waters will start the Great Race from pole for the second time after also securing the spot in 2020.

Waters said he was disappointed that the shootout had been canceled but would rather see the full field for Sunday’s race rather than have cars crashed in the dangerous conditions.

“The rain was crazy and you saw the rivers and everything that happened. It would be a bit of a safety issue,” he told Fox Sports.

“Once you hit a river, aquaplane, you have no control over the car and you don’t want to write off any cars the day before the big race. I’m disappointed, but I think the officials made the right decision.’

Supercars championship leader Shane van Gisbergen starts from seventh place

Waters will be flanked in the front row by 2021 champion, co-driver Lee Holdsworth, who will be competing in his final race around Mt Panorama.

Chaz Mostert, Holdsworth’s winning partner, is in third place, with Supercars leader Shane van Gisbergen dropping from fourth to seventh after receiving a three grid spot penalty at the end of the first qualifying session. got a car.

Erebus Motorsports’ three entries are all in the top 10 with Richie Stanaway in fourth, Brodie Kostecki in ninth and Will Brown in tenth.

The Bathurst 1000 kicks off Sunday at 11:15 a.m. AEDT.