Second Gold Coast race abandoned due to thunderstorm

The second Gold Coast race was red-flagged and later abandoned due to a severe thunderstorm hitting the street circuit. No points were awarded to the race, meaning that Triple Eight drivers Craig Lowndes with co-driver Steve Richards were declared winners of the endurance cup.

David Reynolds’ co-driver Luke Youlden started from pole position but soon came under pressure from Tickford Racing driver James Moffat, who is co-driver to Chaz Mostert.

Moffat made his way past Youlden into the lead but it was all in vain as dark clouds neared the circuit.

The race was red-flagged on lap 37 with heavy rain falling on the circuit.

The field took to the track again 30 minutes later behind the safety car but race control decided for the race to be abandoned at 16:25 local time as track conditions did not improve.

As the field had not completed over 50% of the race, no points were awarded.

The decision means that DJR Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin keeps the lead of the championship, 14 points ahead of Shane van Gisbergen.

There were several incidents before the race was red-flagged with Jamie Whincup’s co-driver Paul Dumbrell hitting the wall at Turn 13 and retiring from the race, also being collected by the Holden of Macauley Jones.

The next Supercars championship race takes place at Pukekohe Park Raceway on the 2-4th of November.