By Michael Parris
Two spectators were injured when they were struck by debris following a crash in the Newcastle 500 Supercars race on Saturday morning.
The accident happened after two vehicles in the V8 Ute series collided during qualifying shortly after 9am.
Medical officers tend to a spectator after tyre debris hit the crowd in Newcastle. Credit: Dirk Klynsmith
A witness said a tyre had bounced over the safety barrier and hit a man and a woman near the track.
The witness said both people were treated by paramedics and taken away in an ambulance.
Medical officers tend to a spectator after tyre debris hit the crowd in Newcastle. Credit: Dirk Klynsmith
A spokesman for Supercars said a man and a woman were taken to the track medical centre with minor knee and ankle injuries.
He said the tyre dislodged from a competitor's vehicle in the V8 Utes Series.
"Incidents of this nature are extremely rare," Supercars said in a statement.
"The safety of competitors and spectators is paramount, with the circuit certified to the highest global safety standards by the governing body of world motorsport, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile and the Confederation of Australian Motorsport."
A tow truck and ambulance at the scene of the crash.
The accident happened on Nobbys Road at one of the fastest sections of the track.
An hour later, the first Toyota 86 race of the weekend ended early when a massive pile-up wiped out eight or nine cars in Parnell Place.
Carnage in the first Toyota 86 race.
One vehicle ended up in flames and the race was called off.
Newcastle Herald