R11 PENALTIES - Minimum laps catch-out many
12/9/2000 12:58 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) - The V8 Supercar brigade has emerged from their OzEmail 500 campaign relatively unscathed, with CAMS officials issuing few penalties.
The ruling that states a driver must be behind the wheel for no less than one-third of the race distance did catch many out on Sunday however, and CAMS’ number crunches were working overtime to enforce the rule.
While the Stone Brothers garage realised their mistake before it cost them greatly, the second Lansvale Smash Repairs Commodore of Geoff Full and Phillip Scifleet were not so lucky.
After an inquiry into an allegation that Full had exceeded the maximum number of laps allowed in the car, CAMS deemed the allegation to be correct and docked Geoff Full and Phillip Scifleet 1 minute. The penalty was added to their finishing time and cost the pairing one position.
CAMS also confirmed the stop/go penalty handed to Paul Radisich and Cameron McLean was as a result of a jumped start. Derek Van Zelm and Christian D’Agostin were also given a stop/go penalty for exceeded the 60km/hr pitlane speed limit.
On Friday, it was found Trevor Ashby passed the chequered flag three times at the conclusion of the second practice session and was fined $500.
Matthew White was charged with a similar offence, after CAMS found White failed to obey the red flag during the lower 50% Qualifying Session on Saturday. White breached the regulation on three separate occasions, and was penalised $1000.
Paul Romano was fined $750 for also disobeying the red flag regulation on Saturday.
Team Manager of the No. 26 Team Gatorade entry, and the No. 87 Oneworld Hotel and Sports Bar car, failed to attend the Team Manager’s Briefing on Thursday, and was subsequently fined $500.
Two investigations were carried over from the Calder round, and were heard at Queensland Raceway on Friday.
Stewards viewed video footage and heard evidence from an incident involving Rod Nash and Rick Bates at Calder Park. It was found a breach of the careless driving rule was made, however due to, “the unusual circumstances of this particular incident” no penalty was given.
The investigation involving Trevor Ashby’s alleged failure to obey officials’ directions at Calder was not taken further.
Motorsport’s governing body yesterday also announced a new direction for the organisation, including a new name, logo, web site, and organisational structure.
Confederation of Australian Motorsport CEO Peter Hansen shows off the new corporate identity
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Now known as the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (as opposed to CAMS), and with a new, updated logo design, Chief Executive Peter Hansen described the new direction as “aggressive.”
"The 'new CAMS' is a far more aggressive organisation, as witnessed by the sometimes radical changes to the status quo in many quarters this past year,” Hansen said.
“With Motorsport now the third most popular sport in Australia, we need to build on that strength, with CAMS taking the leading role," he said.
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