This violent airborne shunt during first practice for this weekend’s Supercars round at Phillip Island was caused by a failed right-front tyre.
Holden driver Lowndes had no warning of the failure and speared off track on the fast run to Lukey Heights at over 140mph, going straight into the barrier.
The force of the hit was so heavy, it flung his Triple Eight Race Engineering car high into the air before it slammed back down to planet earth.
Fortunately, he escaped the crash unharmed, but it’s a scary reminder of what happens when a tyre fails – Lowndes had no control whatsoever.
We imagine a new race suit was needed afterwards…
