- Is recovering after scary incident that saw racing abandoned
Clay Richards, the son of five-time Bathurst 1000 winner Steven and grandson of seven-time champion Jim, was hospitalised after a frightening crash at Mount Panorama.
The incident happened on lap one of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Cup, where Richards slammed into a stationary car at the first turn.
The crash forced Bathurst officials to abandon Friday’s racing schedule. Richards later confirmed he had suffered a serious concussion from the impact.
He has since been released from hospital and is recovering after the ordeal.
‘Had a nasty shunt today which sent me to the ER,’ Richards wrote on social media on Friday night.
‘For those who don’t know, I was involved in a multi-car pile-up, which knocked me out.
Clay Richards crashed at the first turn at Bathurst in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Cup
Richards’ car was torn to shreds and he was hospitalised, with the remaining racing for the day cancelled
Clay is the son of Bathurst champion Steve Richards, and the grandson of Jim Richards
Clay shared this image from hospital to let his followers know he was not badly hurt and he is on the mend
‘Feeling a lot better, though with a slight headache, but got released from the hospital tonight.
‘A big thank you to the medical staff who looked after me at the scene and at the medical centre as well as the staff and paramedics at Orange Hospital.’
The chaotic crash unfolded at Turn 1 when several Toyota 86 cars collided, with Brock Stinson spun sideways and T-boned before walking away unhurt.
Clay Richards was caught in the middle, crunched between two cars and left stranded on the track.
Moments later, Harrison Blanchard slammed into the back of Richards’ car, as debris scattered and multiple vehicles piled up.
‘Absolutely smashed into the side of the car and we’ll instantly jump to a safety car here,’ Chad Neylon said in commentary.
‘Look at the damage on that car, it is torn to pieces.’
‘Not something you see very often in this category, there is a tendency of incidents to happen on the straight after turn one. But never in an 86 have I seen that happen,’ GR driver Alice Buckley said.
‘Happened really quickly. We were lucky to not end up with a car on their roof over here.’
