McLaughlin ok after big hit

It went from a huge high to painful low forKiwi Scott McLaughlin after a high impact crash earlier today during Race Eightat the ITM 400 Auckland.

The Fujitsu Racing GRM driver went into thewall hard at a high speed corner at the Pukekohe Park Raceway circuit and while he isfine physically, the car won’t make it for the weekend’s last race.

After an historic win yesterday, McLaughlinwas positive and out of the garage signing autographs for fans shortlyafter the race.

“It sucks,” McLaughlin said. “After such a big day yesterday, forsomething like that to happen, it sucks.

“It wasn’t any fault of my own, just amechanical failure that came from an unfortunate incident – and you can’t domuch about that.

“It’s not the end of V8 Supercars so we’llpush on and keep going hard.

“I was a bit winded there and a bit sorebut when I got out I was alright, just a bit shaken. I’ve never had a hit likethat before.

“It was like you’re going head on withsomething that doesn’t move. Just ‘bang’. I don’t know how to describe it. Ijust have to move on.”

At that point, Mark Winterbottom came downto apologise to McLaughlin. Winterbottom hadn’t been sure of McLaughlin’sposition, but the two shook hands after a brief, calm discussion.  

“Like Mark just came down and said, we wentthrough turns five and six side by side but he had some problem and came backand hit me. I don’t know if he knew I was there and I think that sort of brokethe steering arm and that just slowly got worse and worse. It broke and, bang, Ihit the fence. You always break something at the worst possible moment.”

Despite the incident, McLaughlin saidnothing could spoil yesterday for him.