Kangaroo joins circuit in high-speed race

A brave kangaroo has managed to find himself on course for pole position after hopping onto the circuit of a premier motorsport event in Australia.

The marsupial luckily managed to avoid injury as half a dozen V8 race cars swerved to dodge him as he crossed the track during the qualifying race of the Bathurst 1000.

Smoke rose from the cars braking at high speeds, but the animal eventually hopped away to the relief of the audience.

The race was eventually won by Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup.

The Bathurst 1000 is a 1,000-kilometre (621 mile) touring car race held annually in the town of Bathurst, about 125 miles west of Sydney.

And for the record, kangaroos can travel at speeds up to 30 mph.

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