Race driver Mark Porter died today after he suffered massive injuries in a crash at Mount Panorama on Friday while preparing for the Bathurst 1000.
Porter died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney today after suffering serious head and chest injuries in a 180kph crash with David Clark during a second tier V8 race at the Bathurst 1000 meeting.
The Gold Coast based New Zealander leaves behind his wife Adrienne and one-year-old son Flynn.
He was 31.
His parents had flown in from New Zealand and were at his bedside.
Porter's family issued a statement tonight announcing his death "with untold sadness".
"The family wishes to convey their heartfelt appreciation for the efforts of the medical crews who have been involved all the way through - at the track, at the Bathurst Base Hospital and at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and all of those who transported Mark between those facilities," the statement said.
"They gave Mark every chance at life, for which we thank them.
"The family also expresses their appreciation of the efforts of the officials of V8 Supercars Australia, all of whom have done their utmost to support all those involved in this tragedy."
Clark, 28, regained consciousness this morning and is breathing unaided after he was taken to Nepean Hospital in Penrith in a critical condition on Friday.
His Optima Sport team said the Adelaide father of three is recovering well from a punctured right lung and has fractures to his pelvis, right arm and leg, while tests have not revealed any significant spinal or head injuries.
Clark woke from his induced coma with his wife Leah, eight-month-old daughter Reese and parents by his bedside.
While climbing the mountain circuit on the 12th lap of the 14 lap development race on Friday, Porter suddenly spun his Holden Commodore sideways, stalled and was left stranded in the middle of the track in an area blinded to oncoming traffic.
Clark sent his Ford Falcon sideways in an attempt to escape collision but crashed directly into Porter's driver's side door at around 180kph.
Ambulance crews needed cutting equipment to free Porter through the passenger's door and immediately commenced CPR on the track.
He was taken by ambulance to Bathurst Base Hospital and was airlifted later that day to RPA.
V8 Supercars Australia said they would launch a thorough investigation into the crash.
