Van Gisbergen, Jones split over qualifying incident
Shane van Gisbergen and Macauley Jones are split over their controversial qualifying incident.
Jones made heavy contact with the wall on approach to the Dipper following contact from van Gisbergen.
Van Gisbergen was later penalised over the incident to the tune of three grid spots.
The series leader’s penalty will be applied following Saturday’s Shootout.
Jones ended up 22nd, with Brad Jones Racing crew set to work through the night.
Stewards pinged van Gisbergen for a careless driving breach.
The stewards report reads: “Following a DRD Investigation and an admission by Car 97, Shane van Gisbergen, of a breach of Schedule B2, Article 2.1.1 (Careless Driving) for the Incident involving contact with Car 96, Macauley Jones, at Turn 13, the Stewards imposed a 3 Grid Spot penalty in Race 30 for Car 97, Shane van Gisbergen/Garth Tander.”
Van Gisbergen later posted to social media, saying he thought Jones was going to let him past.
The repairs to the #97 began immediately
The 72-time race winner claimed Jones made an error at Hell Corner.
Jones, however, said he was on a lap, and was aware the margin was closing.
"Bizarre ending to quali making contact with the 96 car,” van Gisbergen posted to social media.
“From my end I saw him make a big mistake at T1 and go wide so knew his lap was ruined.
“At Skyline he braked super early and out of the line so I thought he was letting me past.
“Once I committed over Skyline that was it.”
When asked on Pit Lane Live if he knew van Gisbergen was so close behind into Skyline, Jones said: “No, I didn’t.
“We were not having the fastest car at the time, we were hanging onto the rear a fair bit.
The repairs at 8:00pm on Friday night
“I could see that he was catching me, but I was a tenth down on my fastest lap.
“I was pushing for what I had. It was very unexpected.”
By 8:00pm local time, BJR mechanics had already removed the damaged rear of the #96 Commodore.
Team owner Brad Jones suggested van Gisbergen had a “rush of blood to the head”.
“It’s disappointing. Even in the dry, you can’t get two cars there through that part of the track," Jones senior said on Pit Lane Live.
“Clearly he was committed and he was trying to pass.
“But if someone’s going to let you by, they’ll roll out of it at McPhillamy.
“Maybe it was a rush of blood to the head from his side, I’m not sure.
“It is what it is. It’s just unfortunate."
