Porter, Clark seriously injured at Bathurst

Drivers Mark Porter and David Clark are in critical condition following an accident at Bathurst 1000. Last night Porter and Clark were fighting for their lives following a horror accident at Mount Panorama, Bathurst, west of Sydney.

Both had to be cut free from their cars and were treated on scene by paramedics after Porter spun his Hydralink Holden and stalled at the Reid Park section of the circuit, leaving him stranded in the middle of the track.

Chris Alajajian who was following behind in another Holden clipped the Porter car causing it to slam into the wall when Clarke who was travelling at 200 kilometres an hour in his Ford Falcon had no where to go after going though the blind left hander and collided with Porter almost splitting his car in two as Ford and Holden fans watched on in amazement during race 1 of the Fujitsu series.

It seemed like an eternity as rescue crews cut the drivers from their wrecks and stabilised them before flying Porter to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney and Clarke was flown to nearby Nepean Hospital where they remain in a critical condition.

Following the accident, Police and officials worked hand in hand to establish the circumstances of the accident whilst flag marshals at that section of the track were preparing reports as to when the yellow flag was brought out to warn oncoming vehicles.

Racing was suspended for almost two hours and officials remained tight lipped until the wives and families of both drivers were notified. Adrienne Porter flew from Queensland to be with her husband while Leah Clarke flew from South Australia.

V8 Supercar Chairman, Mr Tony Cochrane was saddened by the incident, insisting that all race fans were hoping that both drivers would pull through.

Porter, who was scheduled to race in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in the BOC Ford team with fellow Kiwi Dale Brede has been replaced in the number # 12 car by Michael Caruso.

Since the inception of the Great Race, five drivers have died at Bathurst, the last in 1995. This incident could not have come at a worst time with record crowds venturing to Bathurst to mourn the recent death of Holden legend Peter Brock.