'Weel' lucky escape for Shaun

Scarborough racer Shaun Richardson was just metres from a dramatic crash in round two of the 2021 Australian Stadium Trucks Series in Darwin.

Richardson was behind Paul Weel who hit a ramp at an angle, after contact with the truck in front, spun and rolled six times before coming to a halt.

Remarkably, Weel's vehicle landed upright and after a few seconds he was able to drive slowly back to the pits.

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'Jumped left'

“I just jumped left as I saw him rolling to the right,” said Richardson, of Road Rage Industries in Kippa-Ring.

“There’s not a lot you can do (in that situation). I knew he’d be okay. I know how tough these vehicles are, but I have checked with him in the last couple of days.”

Podium finish

It was a mixed weekend for Richardson who was seventh in race one and third in race two, but did not finish the third race after being hit by another racer which had a puncture when braking.

He is locked in a battle for third and fourth place with Weel as the series prepares for round three in Townsville on July 10-11.

Shaun Richardson, 53, is one of only 12 drivers invited to join the 2021 Australian Stadium Truck Series.

Need for speed

Races are fast (speeds of 225-230km/h), furious (it is a contact sport) and the ‘mini trophy trucks’ fly (up to 200 feet at Perth) over ramps.

The 2021 series started in Tasmania and Darwin. After Townsville it goes to Sydney, Perth, New Zealand and the Gold Coast.

US drivers may cross the Pacific to race later this year and in 2022 the series may involve six races in Australia and six in the US.

For further information go to the Shaun Richardson international race driver Facebook page.

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