Mostert confronts Randle over wild near-miss with Brown
Will Brown narrowly avoided spearing into Chaz Mostert in Practice 5
Two-time Bathurst winner had preparation lap baulked by Thomas Randle
Mostert caught on broadcast remonstrating with Randle post-session
Chaz Mostert has confronted Thomas Randle in pit lane following a heart-stopping moment in Practice 6 that led to a near-miss for Will Brown.
As drivers fought for track position in the effort to complete Shootout simulations, Brown caught Mostert and Randle as they approached Murray's Corner.
Mostert and Randle ran line astern down to the left-hander, with the former taking to the inside. Brown ranged up behind them, and veered left as Mostert went left, before jinking hard to the right to avoid a big collision.
The end result was Brown taking to the grass and spinning out, with Randle and Mostert pressing on.
In commentary, Neil Crompton said: “That was so close to being a monumental shunt.
“It’s ended up rotating Brown, and he’ll be cranky about that. He was trying to second-guess what was going on with car #25 with Chaz.”
Over team radio, Brown said: “I just pooped in my pants."
TV cameras caught Mostert marching down to the Tickford garage to remonstrate with Randle in pit lane following the session, catching him as he climbed out of the Castrol Mustang.
Though the full interaction wasn't heard, the two-time Bathurst winner was heard saying, "I put Will Brown in the fence," to which Randle retorted, "Weren't you on an out-lap?"
Mostert also apologised to Brown at the Red Bull Ampol Racing garage, which Brown accepted in good nature.
"I think I got Randle'd there at the start of my lap, so I don't know," said Mostert in a later interview.
"Randle's doing his own thing and he's not thinking about everyone else out there, and unfortunately it put Will Brown in a big shunt.
"Definitely don't want to do that at this stage of the weekend, so a bit of a shame, but anyway. I don't know what information is being fed to him, but you should be conscious of other people out there."
Later, Randle explained his side of events, insisting he assumed Mostert was on a flying lap.
"I was just doing my out lap and Cam [Waters] was right in front of me. I knew Chaz was on his out lap for his final green run, preparing for the Shootout," Randle said.
"I exited the right hander of The Chase and I was just trying to maintain that gap to Cam because I didn't want to be too close to him. And all of a sudden I looked to my mirror and Chaz was basically trying to race me on my right side into the final corner, and I'm on the inside.
"It was really awkward because it wasn't qualifying, and in qualifying, you have a gentleman's recommended 'go' point, at that point you're not passing anyone.
"Chaz said some words, with his helmet on, but I just said, 'mate, I thought you were on a hot lap' and then he walked off. I'm not too fazed by it to be honest. I'm just all full focus for the Shootout."
Randle and Mostert will both feature in this afternoon's Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout from 5:50pm local time. Randle will be the first car on track, whilst Mostert will be fifth on track. Brown will start tomorrow's Great Race from 12th on the grid.
