Statement from Supercars Australia: Triple Eight's Bathurst appeal

Supercars Australia welcomes the decision handed down by the CAMS appointed National Court of Appeal today on Triple Eight’s attempt to change its appeal in respect of last Sunday’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Immediately following Sunday’s race, Triple Eight appealed the severity of the 15 second penalty handed to Car 88 as a result of Jamie Whincup’s failed pass on Car 33 of Scott McLaughlin.

On these grounds the appeal could only seek to downgrade the penalty from a grade two to a grade one which carries a 10 second penalty and could not have the incident re-investigated or the charge dropped.

Subsequently, Triple Eight applied to the Court to amend its appeal to instead claim that the failed pass was not a breach of the driving standards at all, despite numerous prior admissions by Triple Eight that the failed pass was a breach.

Triple Eight’s attempt to amend their appeal was today rejected by the Court. Triple Eight may still choose to appeal the severity of the 15 second penalty on Car 88 and, if so, they must do so by 5.55pm today.

Supercars Australia respects the right of all teams to appeal the decisions of stewards, however it also recognises the groundswell of opinion from teams, drivers and fans who have expressed a strong desire to see one of Australia's biggest sporting events decided on the racetrack and not in a courtroom.

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