BREAKING: SVG event points deducted

After a clash with Jason Bright in Race 11 yesterday, Kiwi winner Shane van Gisbergen will lose 25 event points and the lead in the race for the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy.

The 25-point penalty was handed down last night and while it was believed to only affect Championship points, clarification was given this morning that it does affect standings for the trophy. 

The rule is 7.6.1.10, which communicates deducted points forfeit any relevant awards to which the driver may have been entitled – meaning the standing of the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, in this case.

The adjusted points would see the TEKNO VIP Petfoods driver fall to third place in the ITM 500 Auckland tally, with a new total of 108 points. 

Ford Pepsi Max Crew’s Mark Winterbottom – who won Race 11 – inherits the lead with 118 points, with James Courtney just one point ahead of van Gisbergen with 109.

Fellow Kiwi Scott McLaughlin, on 107, will now be just one point behind SVG heading into today’s 200km race, kicking off at 3.25pm local time.