Blanchard squad accepts double Bend disqualification
James Golding and Aaron Cameron both short of minimum laps
Golding finished seventh, Cameron 25th after early incident
The Blanchard Racing Team has accepted the decision to disqualify both its Ford Mustangs from Sunday's AirTouch 500 at The Bend.
The team was summoned to the Motorsport Australis stewards after both James Golding and Aaron Cameron fell short of the minimum lap count, despite the race finishing six laps short of its scheduled distance.
The team released a statement acknowledging the outcome, which has yet to be communicated by Motorsport Australia at the time of publication.
The statement reads: "Blanchard Racing Team acknowledges the disqualification of both the No. 7 and No. 3 Ford Mustangs from Race 29 at The Bend, after the primary driver in each car fell short of the 54-lap minimum driver requirement.
"The race, scheduled for 147 laps, finished under the time-certain rule at 141 laps following wet conditions and three significant Safety Car periods.
"The team's timing software incorrectly calculated that the full scheduled distance would be completed within the race's time limit, and driver stints were planned to the 147-lap schedule with a margin over the minimum lap requirement.
"When the race was shortened, James Golding and Aaron Cameron fell under the required minimum through no fault of their own, completing 50 and 52 laps respectively.
"We accept the stewards' decision. Responsibility for the error sits with the team, not with the drivers, whose performances deserved better.
"BRT apologises to its drivers, partners and fans. A full review of the team's race systems and processes is already underway ahead of the Bathurst 1000."
The results remain provisional at the time of publication, but it is notably set to impact Golding's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 Repco Supercars Finals Series.
