Imagine this: a high-speed race, a driver's worst nightmare, and a kangaroo. Yes, you read that right! Christopher Mies, a seasoned racer, had an unexpected encounter during the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour that left everyone in awe.
Mies, alongside his teammates Broc Feeney and Dennis Olsen, was cruising at an incredible 250km/h when fate intervened. In a split second, he collided with a kangaroo on the Conrod Straight at Mount Panorama Circuit. The impact was so powerful that it ripped off the windshield of their Ford Mustang GT3.
But here's where it gets controversial... despite the intense crash, Mies walked away unscathed. He later attributed his survival to the exceptional safety features of the Ford, which had its final run in its pre-Evo configuration at Bathurst.
"I'm just glad I'm standing here right now," Mies expressed, still shaken by the experience. He couldn't believe the timing of the collision, stating, "The moment I saw the kangaroo, that was the moment I hit it. I had no warning, no flags, it was just bad luck."
And this is the part most people miss... the severity of the crash was highlighted by a rather gruesome detail. The remains of the kangaroo ended up inside the cockpit, covering Mies' helmet and racing suit. It was a mess, and not just any ordinary mess.
"It doesn't smell very nice," Mies joked, referring to the kangaroo's interior. He confirmed that his entire gear was now trash, unusable after the encounter. Despite the shock and the mess, Mies' love for Australia remained unwavering. He even plans to return to Mount Panorama next year, but with a different souvenir in mind for his son.
"No more kangaroo toys," he laughed. "I'll get him a koala or a wombat instead."
So, what do you think? Is it a miracle that Mies walked away unscathed? Or was it simply the result of exceptional safety measures? We want to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Remember to check out the photos from the Bathurst 12 Hour, capturing the excitement and drama of the race.
