Defending Bathurst 1000 champion Chaz Mostert has been taken away by helicopter after a spectacular crash on Mount Panorama that has suspended qualifying until Saturday.
A trackside official received a head injury when the V8 Supercars young gun pinballed off the walls as he reached the Forrest's Elbow section just minutes into qualifying.
An ambulance arrived to treat Mostert who an official said was "conscious, breathing and talking but does have an injury".
The 23-year-old Mostert's parents Eddie and Maree were present in the team garage during the crash.