Australian TV star and motorsport driver Grant Denyer has come under intensifying pressure after doubling down on his version of events following the Bathurst crash that left a rival driver with a broken spine.
The fallout has escalated in the days since Denyer described the high-speed collision as ‘very minor’ and ‘just a small scrape’, comments that sparked immediate backlash given the severity of the injuries suffered by fellow driver Richard Barram.
The crash unfolded at Griffins Bend during the Bathurst 6 Hour when Denyer attempted to pass Barram while the track was under double waved yellow flags, conditions where overtaking is strictly prohibited.
Denyer’s Chevrolet Camaro made contact with Barram’s Volkswagen Scirocco, sending Barram into a stationary car and leaving both vehicles wrecked.
While Denyer escaped with minor injuries and was released from hospital after precautionary checks, Barram was not as fortunate.
He suffered a fractured vertebra, multiple broken ribs and a severely damaged foot that will require reconstructive surgery, with his team warning he faces a long recovery.
Grant Denyer faced backlash after calling Bathurst crash minor despite rival suffering broken spine and multiple serious injuries sustained
Richard Barram left with fractured vertebra, broken ribs and damaged foot after horror collision under double yellow flag conditions
Denyer described crash as small scrape, sparking outrage given severity of injuries suffered by rival driver Barram
Denyer’s initial comments quickly became the focal point of the controversy.
‘Just wanted to let you know I’m A OK … I was only in hospital for an hour, and that was only for compulsory checks, as part of the regulations,’ he said.
‘It (the crash) was very minor, it (the damage) was just a small scrape. Someone just tagged my car, trying to avoid another parked car, and they just spat us both into the wall.’
Those remarks were met with anger from Barram’s camp, with co-driver James Hay accusing Denyer of downplaying a serious and avoidable incident.
‘Our driver Richard Barram was struck by Grant Denyer’s vehicle in a zone under double waved yellow flags – a sector requiring all drivers to slow and prepare to stop. The collision was not a racing incident. It was avoidable,’ Hay said.
‘We are deeply disappointed that he would minimise a serious incident on social media and deflect responsibility while Richard is still recovering.’
As criticism mounted, Denyer issued a more detailed explanation, insisting he did not see the yellow flags at the time of the crash.
He said his line of sight was blocked while attempting to pass slower cars and claimed there was no radio warning about the conditions ahead.
Crash occurred at Griffins Bend as Denyer attempted overtake despite yellow flags warning drivers to slow and stop
Barram’s co-driver slammed Denyer, saying crash was avoidable and accusing him of deflecting responsibility in aftermath publicly
‘As I was on my approach to Turn 2 on the right-hand side of the track, I was seeking to pass two slower class cars,’ he said.
‘As a result, I had no line of sight to the flag point on the left. I was focused on the braking point and clearing the two cars safely and could not see the yellow flags to the left – it was completely unsighted.’
‘There was no radio call advising of double yellows or a stopped car ahead and, as I came into Turn 2, I observed a waved green flag above the parked vehicle, indicating a return to normal racing conditions.’
‘At that point, Richard appeared to move to the right also, I believe to avoid the stopped car on the left, not expecting me to be there.
‘Our cars made contact, which resulted in both of us being directed into the wall.’
Denyer also revealed he had visited Barram in hospital and said he was ‘deeply saddened’ to learn the extent of his injuries.
