SUPERSTOCK TEAMS CHAMPS CANCELLED IN NZ AFTER DRIVER DIES

A driver has died after crashing at the SuperStock Teams Champs in Palmerston North. A police spokesperson confirmed one person had died at Central Energy Trust Arena on Sunday night at 6.15pm.The driver was Stephen Penn, a member of the Manawatū Mustangs.

Promoter Bruce Robertson said there had been an incident and racing had been called off. “We are advising people to hold their tickets and the relevant information will be available in due course,” he said.

A witness, who declined to give their name, said the crash happened during the first race of the night.“They were trying to get the teams out of the way in case it rained. [The driver] came down the straight hard, hit the other car, went sideways, flicked back and went head on straight into the wall.

“It was a seriously big hit … but it doesn’t usually happen like that.” The witness said the race began at 5.45pm and it took the cars 22 minutes to complete six laps because there had been “four big hits”.

“When they had finished the crowd gave a standing ovation. It’s just unbelievable.”

Another man, who witnessed the crash from the stands, said it looked like the driver was unconscious as soon as he hit the wall. “He has driven into the rear of the other car, tried pushing it into the wall, but he’s gone head on into the wall.

“It looked like he was knocked out instantly. He was not on the brakes and carried on around the track before coming to a stop.” At 7pm the ground announcer told the large crowd racing could not continue, but did not provide further details.

A St John spokesperson said they were called to Pascal St near the Arena at 6.06pm and were on scene assisting police.

WorkSafe has been notified. Police said they would be investigating on behalf of the Coroner.