No penalty over pitlane fire

Brad Jones Racing will not be penalised for the spectacular pitlane fire involving Nick Percat’s car at the Watpac Townsville 400.

Percat’s final pitstop in the Sunday race resulted in a significant fuel spill, which ignited when the car was dropped from its jacks to drive away.

The fireball in the BJR pitbox was quickly extinguished by nearby crews, while Percat drove his Holden – also on fire due to the spilt fuel – to the end of pitlane, where it too was doused with extinguishers.

While no one was injured, an investigation was immediately launched, including analysis of the equipment used, HawkEye vision, still photography and interviews.

A stewards’ report at the Century Batteries Ipswich SuperSprint has confirmed that no breach of the rules had taken place, and therefore no penalty will be applied.

“The Stewards convened a hearing and summonsed the Team regarding the incident involving a fire that happened at Car #8’s Pit Stop during Race 18 (Townsville, Sunday 7 July 2019),” read the report.

“The DRD [Deputy Race Director] presented to the Stewards his investigative report, which contains his determination that there is no evidence to establish a breach of the Rules occurred.

“The Stewards accepted the DRD’s determination and decided not to take any further action in relation to the incident.”

However, Percat has been fined $1,000 for conducting a practice start “outside of the area designated in the Competitor’s and Driver’s Briefing Instructions" in Practice 3 at Ipswich.

Half of the fine is suspended until December 31.