Supercars 2024: Triple Eight boss Tony Quinn gives the finger to Taupo race critics in bizarre press conference

Colourful Supercars figure Tony Quinn has stunned onlookers at after the inaugural Taupo race, giving a middle-finger salute to those who thought it would not be a success.

Triple Eight co-owner and Taupo racetrack owner Tony Quinn gave the middle finger salute to his critics in a provocative postscript to a dominant day for Red Bull in racing’s return to New Zealand.

As Triple Eight drivers Will Brown and Broc Feeney finished one and two in the Taupo finale on Sunday, Quinn joined the pair in the post-race press conference when he stuck up the “bird” to detractors who questioned whether the Taupo race would be a success.

Quinn owns the Taupo racetrack which hosted Supercars’ return to New Zealand after a two-year absence following Pukekohe’s closure to motorsport.

Asked by a reporter how it felt to watch two Triple Eight cars out in front at one of his circuits, Quinn responded:

“I don’t want to say it, but it’s kind of a stupid question,” Quinn said.

Triple Eight co-owner and Taupo racetrack owner Tony Quinn flips the bird during his press conference.

“I don’t have words for it to be fair. I believe it is the first time it has ever happened, ever, a guy that owns a track and team to win and come away from the weekend to what really was a fantastic weekend for everybody, for the fans, for the result, for the government, the success of the track.

“To all those people that said when it was announced that it could never happen in Taupo, the roads are not good enough, there’s not enough beds and all these problems that were saying it will never happen …”

Quinn then stuck up his middle finger in the press conference, which was being televised live in Australia and New Zealand.

A co-owner of Triple Eight alongside Jamie Whincup and Jessica Dane, the businessman also owns other racetracks in New Zealand and Queensland Raceway.

Asked about the prospect of more races across the Tasman amid discussion about a future New Zealand double-header, Quinn said:

“There has been a lot of talk, but I have a habit of walking as well, so I think the talk will develop into walk,” Quinn said.

“I really want to devote a lot of my time that I have got left to motorsport. I have invested heavily into it and I love it and we’re successful in it and long may that continue.”

Supercars announced a crowd of 67,411 had attended the round in Taupo.

Originally published as Supercars 2024: Triple Eight boss Tony Quinn gives the finger to Taupo race critics in bizarre press conference