Triple Eight fined, docked points over SVG pit incident
Triple Eight has been fined and docked teams’ championship points over an incident in Shane van Gisbergen’s Race 22 stop at The Bend.
Van Gisbergen was classified fifth in the OTR SuperSprint finale, which was won by Erebus Motorsport star Brodie Kostecki.
The right-rear wheel gun appeared to remain on van Gisbergen’s #97 Red Bull Ampol Camaro as he exited his pit box.
The reigning champion was placed under investigation over the incident, but stewards opted to investigate the incident post-race.
A post-race stewards’ report later revealed that van Gisbergen avoided penalty, but his team wasn’t as lucky.
Critically, Triple Eight’s deficit to leaders Erebus Motorsport has been adjusted from 107 to 137 points. Erebus led by 80 points heading into the weekend.
The report reads: Following the Race, the Stewards imposed a Fine of $1,500 and a further Penalty of the Loss of 30 Teams Championship Points on Triple Eight Race Engineering for an Incident in the Pit Lane during the Race when Car 97 was dropped and released by the Car Controller when the wheel gun was still attached to the right rear wheel in breach of Rule D11.7.3.
Van Gisbergen remains second in the standings behind Kostecki, with Broc Feeney still third despite being spun out of the top 10 in Sunday's finale.
Feeney was classified 25th and last after being turned by David Reynolds, who was penalised and dropped to 20th.
The #88 Camaro was sent into a spin at the final corner as Feeney and Reynolds disputed ninth position.
The report reads: A 15 Second Time Penalty on Car 26 for Careless Driving following an Incident at turn 18 on Lap 19. Car 26 was attempting to overtake Car 88, Broc Feeney, on the inside at turn 18. Car 26 had sufficient overlap on Car 88 and Car 88 left racing room for Car 26 on the inside. However, Car 26 locked rear brakes and oversteered into the side of Car 88 and Car 88 left the track into the gravel trap and lost positions.
Brad Jones Racing's Bryce Fullwood was also penalised during the race, to the tune of 15 seconds, over pit lane speeding.
Fullwood made a late call to pit while battling with Will Brown and James Courtney, but was pinged for speeding as he crossed the line.
The report reads: A 15 Second Time Penalty on Car 14, Bryce Fullwood, after Car 14 entered the Pit Lane at 45kph (speed limit 40 kph).
Brown is fourth in the standings, recording just 88 points across the weekend compared to Kostecki's 305.
The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will switch to enduro mode at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 on September 15-17.
