Quinn makes triumphant racing return

Triple Eight co-owner Tony Quinn has completed his first weekend back behind the wheel of a racecar after his scary Townsville crash.

Quinn, who has been the largest shareholder of Triple Eight Race Engineering since January 2021, suffered a major accident last July.

The veteran racer was hospitalised after he crashed on the opening lap of the first Porsche Carrera Cup Australia race.

Quinn suffered 12 fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis, and injuries to his ankles and feet.

He also suffered a punctured lung and severe external and internal bruising.

Just six months later, Quinn — in his long-awaited return to his own Highlands Motorsport Park venue — got behind the wheel.

Quinn competed in the GT New Zealand Championship as part of the opening round of the Super Sprint series.

The Townsville crash all but ended Quinn's career

The 65-year-old shared a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS with friend Grant Aitken.

Aitken and Quinn finished 11th outright in Saturday’s first race — and fourth in the GT4 class — a day after Quinn turned his first laps in the car.

Aitken returned on Sunday and finished third overall in class behind winners David Cremer and Jason Liefting.

Aitken led the race late on before being passed by eventual winner Jono Lester.

"Driving the car is easy, taking off the helmet is hard," Quinn beamed in Friday video posted by broadcaster Greg Rust.

Quinn, a prominent businessman and leading motorsport figurehead, also owns the Queensland Raceway, Hampton Downs and Taupo circuits.

In his first two years as Triple Eight majority shareholder, Quinn has overseen two Supercars drivers’ titles, two teams’ championships and a Bathurst victory.

The Scotsman is also campaigning to increase race belt education awareness.

Also this weekend, Quinn announced his continued support of Kiwi racing star Liam Lawson.

Formula 2 race winner Lawson’s 2023 season in Japanese Super Formula will be supported by the Tony Quinn Foundation.

Quinn’s emotional weekend also saw grandson Ryder Quinn achieve success in the Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Championship.

Ryder (pictured right) scored his first podium in Race 2 behind winner James Penrose and Jacob Abel.

Tony’s third full Supercars season as Triple Eight will commence on the Newcastle streets in March.

Tickets for the Thrifty Newcastle 500 are on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.