Dave Casey defied the odds at the Bathurst 1000, emerging unscathed from a spectacular barrel roll crash that sent shockwaves through the motorsport community.
The Mitsubishi Triton driver completed two full rotations through the air before miraculously landing upright during Race 2 of the Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series at Mount Panorama on Saturday morning.
The Incident That Stopped Hearts
Racing into the iconic Murray’s Corner, Casey’s #782 Mitsubishi Triton received a tap from behind by Luke Webber’s Mazda BT-50. The contact sent Casey’s ute careening onto the grass on the inside of the final turn.
SuperUtes driver Dave Casey was thankfully ok after this scary barrel roll crash!
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What happened next shocked spectators and fellow competitors alike.
Casey’s vehicle hit the sand trap and was launched into a violent barrel roll. The Triton flipped twice through the air before landing back on its wheels on the inside of the track.
“I got a tap from behind and that pushed me over onto the grass,” Casey told Speedcafe. “I had the brakes locked on, but it then dug into the sand and went over.“
The Safety Car was immediately deployed. Casey, showing remarkable composure, initially attempted to drive the damaged ute away from the scene before stopping on the left-hand side of the front straight. He then walked away from the wreckage to applause from the crowd.
The Financial and Championship Impact
The crash carried consequences beyond the physical danger. Casey revealed the rollover caused approximately $44,000 in damage to his Triton and potentially derailed his championship aspirations.
“My main concern was not staying on the track when it rolled back and possibly hit someone,” Casey explained. “I just wanted to get it out of the way.”
The frustrated driver didn’t mince words about the incident’s impact: “It cost him (Luke Webber) 30 seconds and it’s cost me 30 grand. I think it has killed our championship.”
Casey entered the weekend sitting seventh in the championship standings in his fourth year competing in the series.
Webber Penalised
Race officials took action against the driver who caused the incident. Luke Webber crossed the finish line in 11th position but was demoted to 19th after receiving a 30-second time penalty.
Jayden Wanzek went on to win Race 2 of the V8 SuperUtes competition.
The Remarkable Rebuild
What seemed impossible became reality. Casey’s team pulled off a herculean effort to repair the extensively damaged Triton in time for Race 3 later that afternoon.
Less than six hours after the horrific barrel roll, Casey was back racing in his Triton.
“I am all good. Just a bit upset about the damage of the car and the cost because it was not really our fault,” Casey told Auto Action.
The rebuilt Triton miraculously finished 15th in Race 3, a testament to both the team’s work and Casey’s determination to continue racing despite the morning’s drama.
A Weekend of Incidents
Casey’s barrel roll wasn’t the only dramatic moment during the V8 SuperUtes weekend at Bathurst. The second race also featured a bizarre incident when Jensen Engelhardt jumped the start and triggered a chain reaction that saw him spin off Scott Taylor’s Ford Ranger and nose into the inside concrete wall.
The support categories at the 2025 Repco Bathurst 1000 proved eventful, with the V8 SuperUtes Series providing some of the weekend’s most memorable moments.
The Bathurst Context
Mount Panorama Circuit remains one of the world’s most challenging and revered racing circuits. Murray’s Corner, where Casey’s accident occurred, is the final turn before the main straight and has witnessed countless dramatic moments throughout Bathurst’s storied history.
2025 Bathurst 1000
The 2025 Bathurst 1000 featured five support categories alongside the main Supercars Championship event:
- Dunlop Super2 Series
- Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia
- Touring Car Masters
- Tyrepower V8 SuperUte Series
- Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Cup
The V8 SuperUtes ran four races across the weekend, more than any other support category.
Looking Forward
Despite the setback, Casey demonstrated the resilience required in motorsport. His ability to walk away from such a violent crash, return to racing the same day, and secure a finish showcased the safety advances in modern racing equipment.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by drivers, even in support categories, when racing at high speeds around one of the world’s most demanding circuits.
For Casey, the focus now shifts to recovering both financially and in the championship standings as the V8 SuperUtes Series continues through the remainder of the 2025 season.
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FAQs
Q: What caused Dave Casey’s crash at Bathurst?
A: Casey’s crash was caused by nose-to-tail contact from Luke Webber’s Mazda BT-50, which sent Casey’s Mitsubishi Triton onto the grass and into the sand trap where it barrel rolled twice.
Q: Was Dave Casey injured in the rollover?
A: No, Casey walked away from the crash uninjured and was back racing in the same vehicle less than six hours later.
Q: What penalty did Luke Webber receive?
A: Webber received a 30-second time penalty, dropping him from 11th to 19th position in Race 2.
Q: How much damage did the crash cause?
A: Casey estimated the rollover caused approximately $44,000 worth of damage to his Mitsubishi Triton.
Q: Did Casey finish the Bathurst weekend?
A: Yes, after his team completed repairs, Casey returned to competition and finished 15th in Race 3.
