WAU appeal over Mostert exclusion rejected

Walkinshaw Andretti United's appeal process over Chaz Mostert's Race 16 disqualification has been rejected.

Mostert was scrapped from the Saturday race results over a technical breach.

The two-time Bathurst winner finished the race in fourth, but was later scrapped from the results.

When the car was on the grid, a battery-operated air blower was inserted in the front bumper.

The initial stewards report stated that Mostert had "reported an issue with the Car on the reconnaissance Lap and that he had been occupied attempting to identify and resolve that issue".

A breach of D8.1.8 was found, and Mostert was disqualified from the race.

The report also read: "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".

Later on Saturday night, WAU later announced intention to appeal the disqualification.

On Sunday morning, ahead of Race 17, Motorsport Australia confirmed the intention to appeal had been rejected.

Motorsport Australia stated "the appeal process was not followed as per the regulations" and "the appropriate paperwork was never received".

The statement reads: "Motorsport Australia can confirm no appeal will take place in regards to Car 25’s disqualification from Race 16 of the Repco Supercars Championship.

"Motorsport Australia confirmed the time for any appeal to be lodged had elapsed one hour after the initial decision had been released on Saturday night.

The battery-operated air blower in the car Pic: Supplied

"In this instance, while the team had publicly flagged their intentions to appeal, the appeal process was not followed as per the regulations and the appropriate paperwork was never received.

"As such, the decision to disqualify Car 25 from Race 16 will stand and the results for that race have been officially declared. There are no further avenues of appeal."

In a statement of their own, WAU responded: "Walkinshaw Andretti United are continuing an on-going process in relation to Car 25’s disqualification from Race 16.

"The Team’s short-term focus is on Race 17 and 18 today, and will make no further comment at this stage."

Mostert remains sixth in the points heading to Sunday's races; he qualified ninth and sixth for the races.

Race 17 will commence at 11:55am local time, followed by Race 18 at 3:25pm.