Will Brown Takes Out Larry Perkins Trophy and Championship Lead in Supercars Championship
Race 7 Abandoned Amid Heavy Rain in Melbourne
The final race of the MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint was abandoned due to heavy rainfall at Albert Park, securing Will Brown his second consecutive Larry Perkins Trophy.
The rain-soaked event saw Race 7 start under the guidance of the Safety Car, with Broc Feeney leading the field. However, with worsening conditions and standing water on the track, the race was suspended after just two laps. Officials soon determined that the race could not safely resume, leading to its complete abandonment without points or results being awarded.
Safety Car Start and Immediate Red Flag
As rain pelted down on the circuit, the decision was made to commence the race behind the Safety Car. Feeney led the way, but the treacherous conditions quickly proved too dangerous, with excessive water making visibility and grip nearly impossible. After two cautious laps, race control displayed the red flag, bringing the race to a halt.
Despite a brief lull in the rain, the track remained waterlogged, and with time certain fast approaching, officials ultimately called off the event. Under Supercars regulations, at least 50% of the race distance must be completed by the leader for points to be awarded, meaning no results from Race 7 were recorded.
Brown Clinches Larry Perkins Trophy
With no opportunity to race on Sunday, Will Brown emerged as the weekend’s overall points leader, securing his second straight Larry Perkins Trophy. His strong performance in Saturday’s race had put him ahead of Broc Feeney and Cameron Hill in the standings, and the abandoned finale cemented his victory.
"I definitely lucked into it this year, to be honest," Brown admitted. "We had a poor qualifying session for this race, so while it’s not how we wanted to win, I’m still honored to take home the Larry Perkins Trophy again. It’s a big moment for me and Red Bull Ampol Racing."
Brown now carries a narrow seven-point lead over Tickford Racing’s Cam Waters heading into the next round in New Zealand, with Feeney sitting 49 points adrift in third. The championship battle remains tight, and with unpredictable weather playing a factor, the upcoming round promises more excitement on the Supercars calendar.
