THE Repco Supercars Championship will not be sent into a late-night frenzy as it was at Albert Park after the cause of Cam Waters’ fire today was identified.
The immediate concern when Waters’ Ford burst into flames on Lap 5 in the Darwin Triple Crown opener was that it was a repeat of the problems experienced by the category at Albert Park.
That had triggered emergency meetings and risk mitigation procedures to avoid any repeats on the final day of the event, before more permanent changes were made.
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The good news to emerge from the Race 1 incident is that the catalyst on this occasion is not a category-wide issue.
Rather, it appears a loose fuel fitting was to blame, causing a fuel leak that sparked the blaze.
“An investigation into the Car 6 fire incident in Darwin is underway,” said a Supercars spokesperson.
“Most importantly, Cam Waters safely walked away from the incident unharmed.
“Following an initial inspection, led by Supercars, Tickford and Herrod Performance Engines, the fire appears to have been caused by a fuel fitting coming loose and is not related to previous fires experienced in the 2023 Championship.”
Tickford Racing CEO Tim Edwards agreed with that diagnosis.
“It’s different to what happened at the Grand Prix,” said Edwards.
“Well, they were fuel fires but they were induced by a different cause. This is a fitting on the engine, it just came loose.”
The general paddock consensus gauged post-race by V8 Sleuth is one of relief, with no fears of a repeat tomorrow.
Ford star Will Davison noted he has no concern about getting back in the car for Sunday’s two races.
“No concern… it could be a separate thing. I think everything is pretty safe from a Ford side,” said the Dick Johnson Racing ace.
