BESNARD IN BELATED RACE WIN
29/11/2004 19:09 (Press Release) -
WPS Racing’s David Besnard was today awarded a race win one week after he was sensationally relegated to 18th place in a controversial end to the Tasmania Triple Challenge at Symmons Plains.
Stewards inquiring into the 12th round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series today conceded they had succumbed to ‘considerable pressure from numerous sources in pit lane’ when adjudicating on last weekend’s final race in Tasmania.
WPS Racing team owner Craig Gore, writing in his Gory’s Corner column on the WPS Racing website, said it was obvious officials had made mistakes during the race and today’s decision was ‘too little too late’.
“We knew the race was ours last Sunday,” said Gore.
“What we also knew last Sunday was that considerable outside influences and pressures were applied to the stewards to override their own approved and accurate timing devices.
“A question remains: who applied the pressure and why would the stewards succumb to it?”
Gore said the news that stewards bowed to pressure from outside parties had itself brought the sport into disrepute.
“I can assure you the race win just isn't enough for us ... for now,” said Gore.
“I want to know from what quarter and from whom the pressure was applied and why.
“More importantly, I want to know who during a race ... there were numerous parties ... got access to race officials to force such a huge change.
“They also bring the sport into disrepute and I want answers.
“This one is not being swept under the carpet, believe me. Whatever it takes, whatever the cost, whatever is required, we will pursue it.”
Gore also offered praise to Besnard, who had delivered the team its first race win in its debut season.
Besnard had a huge weekend, placing 8th in the first race after starting from 25th on the grid.
He was then inside the top 10 in the second race until he was forced off the track after being hit from behind by Jason Bright.
Besnard then started the third and final race in the back half of the field, leaving his team to gamble on a pit strategy to threaten the leaders.
The strategy worked to perfection, with Besnard pitting under a Safety Car period and emerging as the race leader.
It was in the wake of this that stewards later relegated Besnard, along with Bright and Mark Skaife, to the back end of the field on the belief there was a mix up with the automatic timing.
Besnard ultimately crossed the line in what officials called 18th position.
The result was immediately appealed and today’s ruling confirms he actually won the race.
“This further highlights my previous call that Race Director Tim Schenken should resign as it has now been confirmed officials succumbed to outside influences,” said Gore.
“This is not acceptable in this sport and, to be quite frank, I’m astounded that CAMS would admit this (decisions were made under influence of outside pressure) in a press release.”
Ends
IMAGES: Media can download a high resolution image by clicking on the relevant thumbnail. Click again and, when prompted, use the password media2004 to download.
Release Date: 21/11/2004
WPS Racing
|
|
