DJR Fords disqualified from Tasmania opener

Both Dick Johnson Racing Fords have been disqualified from Saturday's first race in Tasmania over a technical breach.

The Shell V-Power Racing Team caught the attention of Supercars Technical following qualifying on Saturday morning today over the control skid blocks on both of its Mustangs.

It was alleged that the blocks had been machined by the team, given they tapered from rear to front. A breach would be a Division C breach, with disqualification the recommended penalty.

Both cars avoided disqualification from Race 11 qualifying, DJR having argued the blocks had only been sanded to remove "gouges and scratches."

After another investigation on Saturday night, Motorsport Australia confirmed both cars had been disqualified from Race 11. Brodie Kostecki had finished eighth, and Will Davison 21st.

The stewards report reads:

The Stewards, having summoned the Competitor (document 16) and having heard from the Racing Team (Aust) Pty Ltd Authorised Team Representative, and from Supercars Technical, have considered the following matter and determine the following:

Competitor Racing Team (Aust) Pty Ltd

No. and Driver Cars 17 and 38

Date Saturday, 10 May 2025

Session Parc Ferme Scrutineering Post Race 11

Fact Allegation that each of Cars 17 and 38 were fitted with skid blocks for the front bars that were not in conformity with the issued VSD for the Ford.

Rule C1.1.3 A Car must remain in compliance with the VSD

Decision Cars 17 and 38 are disqualified from Race 11 Classifications

Reason The Charge concerns the Skid Blocks which sit under the front bumper assembly of each car. The VSD prescribes that the profile of the blocks must be of a certain height.

It is common ground that the profile of the blocks are more shallow than prescribed.

Rule C1.1.3 provides that “A Car must remain identical in all respects .. as defined in the relevant VSD.

Rule 1.1.4 prohibits unauthorised modifications.

The Charge is laid under Rule C1.1.3 and not Rule C1.1.4.

However, the Supercar’s Technical representative asserts the skid blocks have been deliberately machined down and accepts that if that is not proved to the Stewards’ satisfaction the charge fails.

The Team Representative submits that the skid blocks have been worn down and have been sanded to remove scratches and gouges and that explains the change of profile.

The Stewards were shown three front assemblies bearing the skid blocks. Two of these assemblies were removed from Cars 17 and 38 after Race 11 in Parc Ferme. The third was removed from Car 38 after race 12.

Car 38 had run a new assembly with new skid blocks in Race 12.

Upon inspection of the three assemblies, it was clear to the Stewards that the profile of the skid blocks on the Cars for Race 11 were uniform across the skid blocks.

The Stewards are of the view that such a uniform profile is inconsistent with wear and cosmetic sanding and is only reasonably consistent with deliberate machine modification.

The Stewards find the breach proved.

The Competitor is reminded that Decisions and Penalties that may be subject to Appeal are set out in B7.7.2 and the Rights to and process for an Appeal are set out in B5.

DJR responded in a statement, saying it accepts the decision by the stewards.

The DJR statement reads:

The Shell V-Power Racing Team acknowledges and accepts today's decision by the Stewards resulting in a technical breach in Saturday's opening race at Symmons Plains.

As was advised to the Stewards the hearing as part of the team's submission, both cars 38 and 17 have been fitted with previously used front bars for this weekend's event in Tasmania. These parts had excess wear between races. As also submitted the Stewards, there was no performance advantage in using used parts.

While disappointed in today's process, we accept the decision and are now firmly focused on Sunday's racing.

On-track action at the Snowy River Caravans Tasmania Super 440 continues Sunday with Boost Mobile Qualifying for Race 13 at 9:35am AEST, before the Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout at 11:55am AEST.