Getting into rhythm with a pack of pesky 944s isn’t easy when you’re waltzing through the narrow Mt. Panorama circuit in a GT3 Cup car. With well over twice the horsepower, huge wings and bigger tires, there’s really no way that a 944 could ever manage to stick with a Cup car, but that doesn’t keep them from being a nuisance.

Mt. Panorama, also known as Bathurst, is a narrow track with little runoff area and plenty of odd camber changes to make passing a real challenge. Shane Smollen and his GT3 Cup show that, even with superior machinery, the difference in pace between cars on a circuit can lead to some spectacular misses.

While dispensing of the horde of 944s going up the hill isn’t too daunting, it still requires a little respect. Smollen is clearly on the limit as well — sliding the tail of his GT3 on curbs, which forces him to exercise a little discipline and spacing when coming upon the 944s, which seem to be on a cool down lap. Once down the hill and onto the Conrod Straight, he’s able to stretch the legs of his flat-six motor, putting all 450 horsepower to the ground and brushing 160 mph at the top of sixth gear.

Smollen’s miss might’ve gone much worse had it not been for quick thinking.

The fastest, most intimidating corner on the track isn’t a place you’d want to park your broken 944, but it seems one of the entrants had other ideas. Additionally, this car is on the racing line and Smollen hasn’t been given many options. In the course of a few seconds, he takes evasive action and flies off the track, bouncing along on the dirt, coming to a Dukes of Hazzard-style stop without flipping. Without a doubt, he narrowly avoided what could’ve been a career-ending wreck and while his car appears unscathed, the question remains: who’s responsible for the dry cleaning bill?