No penalty over Randle/Evans clash after BJR request

Thomas Randle avoided penalty over a Race 3 clash with Jaxon Evans following a Brad Jones Racing request, the stewards’ report has revealed.

Randle and Evans finished the MSS Melbourne Security SuperSprint opener in 22nd and 24th respectively after a torrid race for both drivers.

Both drivers’ races were undone on lap 2, with Tickford Racing driver Randle dropping from 12th to last after he fired into the Turn 3 gravel trap, rejoining behind Evans.

As the leaders commenced lap 3, images of Evans’ damaged car appeared, with replays later suggesting Randle and Evans collided at the final corner.

The #12 Chevrolet sustained heavy rear damage, some of which broke free during the race, sparing Evans from a potential mechanical black flag.

In the post-race stewards’ report, the Deputy Race Director — in this instance, David Mori and David Stuart — reviewed the incident, and determined it did not warrant referral to the stewards.

"At the Request of Brad Jones Racing Pty Ltd, the Incident involving Car 12 Jaxon Evans, and Car 55, Thomas Randle, at Turn 14 on Lap 2. The available broadcast footage demonstrated that Car 55 was not to blame for the Incident,” the report reads.

In BJR communications, Evans said: "I don't really know what happened on lap two but going into last corner, I got turned around and ended up in the fence so it wasn't great.

"And just had to limp around and finish the race with a lot of damage to the rear of our car.

“So, not ideal, but some positives to take away from today and we'll move forward and hopefully continue to build on it as the weekend progresses.”

Randle dropped from seventh to eighth in the points standings, with Evans 22nd heading into Friday’s Race 4.