Triple Eight to appeal Newcastle disqualifications

Red Bull Ampol Racing has confirmed it will appeal its double disqualification from Saturday’s Thrifty Newcastle 500 opener.

It was confirmed on Sunday morning that Shane van Gisbergen and Broc Feeney were excluded from the Race 1 results.

Van Gisbergen and Feeney led a Triple Eight Camaro one-two, with Cam Waters third in his Tickford Racing Mustang.

The reigning champion crossed the line nearly 15 seconds to the good over Feeney.

After the race, Ford squads Tickford and Walkinshaw Andretti United lodged appeals against Triple Eight.

The appeals regarded the driver cooling systems in both Red Bull Ampol Camaros.

The new results see Waters as the official winner, with Chaz Mostert making it a Mustang one-two.

Pole-sitter Brodie Kostecki finished third aboard his #99 Coca-Cola Camaro, with teammate Will Brown fourth.

It sees Waters become championship leader for the first time in his career, and the first points leader from Tickford since Mark Winterbottom in 2016.

Red Bull Ampol Racing later released a statement, saying it was “disappointed” by the decision.

“Triple Eight is disappointed in the decision handed down by Motorsport Australia resulting in the disqualification of both Red Bull Ampol Racing cars from Race 1 of the Newcastle 500,” the statement reads.

“We have lodged notices of our intention to appeal for both cars.

“The team sought permission from the Supercars Head of Motorsport prior to Race 1 of the Supercars Championship, which was granted, and we acted upon this permission.

“This was not a performance enhancement method, but a driver safety tool.

“Our team ethos is to race hard and fair every time we hit the track, and out full focus is on today’s race in Newcastle.”

Cars will roll out for ARMOR ALL Qualifying for Race 2 at 11:15am local time on Sunday.