Karl Reindler. Photo / Getty Images
V8 Supercar driver Karl Reindler has been taken to hospital with burns to his hands and face after his Holden exploded into flames in a crash at Perth's Barbagallo Raceway on Sunday.
West Australian Reindler's car caught fire after he stalled at the start of race two of the weekend,
and was hit at high speed by Steve Owen's Commodore.
Reindler had to scramble his way clear of his burning car, which was incinerated in the incident.
Both drivers were able to walk away from the crash, though 26-year-old Reindler initially fell to the ground and had to be tended to by fire marshals.
Before being transported to hospital, Reindler said pain from burns to his hands was causing him the most concern.
Fair Dinkum Sheds racing team principal Kim Jones said Reindler had burns to his hands and face, but they were superficial.
But he will undergo checks in hospital on both his visible injuries and internally on his lungs.
"Because he's breathed in some of the stuff they are just going to take him to hospital. Hopefully it's not too serious," Jones said.
The front of Owen's Holden was also badly burned in the crash, but he walked away without any visible injuries.
Owen said he simply didn't see Reindler's stricken car before ploughing into it, as he was unsighted by other cars ahead of him trying to get out of the way.
"I felt pretty sore when I got out of the car, but I'm alright now," Owen said.
"I saw Karl in the medical centre and he's fine apart from some slight burns.
"It happened so quick ... I just had nowhere to go."
Initial indications are the explosion was caused as Owen's car punctured the fuel cell of Reindler's car, hitting him at an estimated 150km/h.
Holden driver Jason Bright - whose car is prepared by the same race team as Reindler's - eventually won the race from championship leader Jamie Whincup.
Bright's teammate Jason Bargwanna finished third to complete a Holden 1-2-3.
Race three of the weekend is scheduled for later on Sunday.
- AAP
