Crash carnage rocks Mount Panorama as Matt Payne claims provisional pole position
Two dramatic crashes brought qualifying for Sunday's Bathurst 1000 to a halt before Penrite Racing's Matt Payne clinched provisional pole position with a blistering lap around the Mount Panorama Circuit.
The first red flag was shown just minutes into qualifying when former winner Dave Reynolds slammed into the wall at "the Dipper" section of the circuit, causing heavy damage.
Reynolds lost control of his Chev Camaro before nose-diving into the concrete.
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David Reynolds got some air time in his crash at the Mount Panorama Circuit. FOX Sports
Speaking afterwards, Reynolds admitted that he tested the famed circuit's limits and was taught a lesson for it.
"I'm fine — more than fine actually — I'm just really angry that it happened. We're pushing the limits and every now and again that happens," he told Fox Sports' coverage.
"I was pushing really hard, obviously it's qualifying, my car was getting better but I probably shouldn't have stayed up at that second lap because obviously the tyres start to go away and everything gets way more skaty.
"I was probably pushing too hard for the conditions and I got bitten badly."
In the closing stages of the session, Shell V-Power Racing's Will Davison also connected with the wall on approach to "the Dipper", triggering a pinball machine-like blow that left him winded.
In a heart-warming display of sportsmanship, rival Nick Percat was first on the scene and stopped to check that Davison was alright.
Will Davison comes to a stop after being sent bouncing off the concrete walls. FOX Sports
Davison was cleared of serious injury but it is not known if his Ford Mustang is repairable.
Payne topped Friday's qualifying session with a fastest lap of 2:05.6452 — edging out Cam Waters by 0.006 seconds and Broc Feeney by 0.011 seconds.
"The competition was incredible out there, everyone is driving at such a high limit," Payne said.
"I got out of the car and was almost about to have a heart attack because I was breathing that hard."
Earlier, during Practice 3, both Matt Stone Racing cars, driven by co-drivers Cameron Crick and Dylan O'Keeffe, hit the wall, causing a headache for the team's mechanics.
Practice resumes at 10.05am AEST on Saturday ahead of the top-10 shootout.
