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A Motorsport South Africa court of inquiry has excluded Toyota’s Johnny Gemmell and Drew Sturrock from the results of the June, 2011, Gauteng Rally but now an appeal against the decision is pending.
Gemmell, who was running second in a Toyota Auris behind championship leader Conrad Rautenbach, walked part of the first special stage with Rautenbach. The pair had obtained permission from a marshal to walk the stage before driving it.
Initially both drivers were excluded from the event for infringing a rule that prohibits reconnoitering the route. This decision was later overturned by the MSA-appointed steward of the event, who determined that the circumstances of the incident did not warrant exclusion.
Toyota team principal Glyn Hall commented that the court of inquiry ignored the MSA stewards' ruling so his team would appeal.
DAMAGING EFFECTS
"We don’t believe the court of inquiry gave sufficient consideration to the circumstances surrounding this incident so will be seeking to take the matter to the next level, the MSA National Court of Appeal.
“The decision has potentially damaging consequences for Gemmell, Sturrock’s and Toyota’s National championship title aspirations. It demoted them from leading the championship after five of the eight rounds to lying fourth.
“Gemmell is 13 points behind the leader of the Drivers’ championship, according to MSA, while he could have been leading by 15 points. This would have made a significant difference to the way we approached the remaining three rounds. Sturrock is seven points behind the leader of the co-drivers’ championship and could have been well in front.”
Following second and third places in two preceding rounds, Gemmell and Sturrock would have led the Drivers’ and Co-drivers’ championships heading into round six, the Garden Route Rally to be held in George and Knysna over August 26/27, 2011.
Provisional rally standings with Gemmell and Rautenbach excluded
Conrad Rautenbach - 85
Mark Cronje - 79
Enzo Kuun - 78
Johnny Gemmell - 72
Hergen Fekken - 70
CharlWilken - 67
The overall championship is decided over eight rounds, of which seven will count (exclusions do not count as a round) therefore drivers hat are excluded should drop in points significantly if they finish the remaining events.
Should one take the standings at present and apply the one dropped event in points at this time, the results will be totalled as follows:
Rautenbach - 85 less lowest scoring event 16 - 69
Cronje - 79 already has a *DNF - 79
Kuun - 78 less lowest score 9 - 69
Gemmell - 72 less lowest score 11 - 61
Fekken - 70 less lowest score 6 - 64
Wilken - already has DNF 0 - 67
The above provisional rally results is more accurate reflection of the championship score at present.
*Did Not Finish result
Gemmell, who was running second in a Toyota Auris behind championship leader Conrad Rautenbach, walked part of the first special stage with Rautenbach. The pair had obtained permission from a marshal to walk the stage before driving it.
Initially both drivers were excluded from the event for infringing a rule that prohibits reconnoitering the route. This decision was later overturned by the MSA-appointed steward of the event, who determined that the circumstances of the incident did not warrant exclusion.
Toyota team principal Glyn Hall commented that the court of inquiry ignored the MSA stewards' ruling so his team would appeal.
DAMAGING EFFECTS
"We don’t believe the court of inquiry gave sufficient consideration to the circumstances surrounding this incident so will be seeking to take the matter to the next level, the MSA National Court of Appeal.
“The decision has potentially damaging consequences for Gemmell, Sturrock’s and Toyota’s National championship title aspirations. It demoted them from leading the championship after five of the eight rounds to lying fourth.
“Gemmell is 13 points behind the leader of the Drivers’ championship, according to MSA, while he could have been leading by 15 points. This would have made a significant difference to the way we approached the remaining three rounds. Sturrock is seven points behind the leader of the co-drivers’ championship and could have been well in front.”
Following second and third places in two preceding rounds, Gemmell and Sturrock would have led the Drivers’ and Co-drivers’ championships heading into round six, the Garden Route Rally to be held in George and Knysna over August 26/27, 2011.
Provisional rally standings with Gemmell and Rautenbach excluded
Conrad Rautenbach - 85
Mark Cronje - 79
Enzo Kuun - 78
Johnny Gemmell - 72
Hergen Fekken - 70
CharlWilken - 67
The overall championship is decided over eight rounds, of which seven will count (exclusions do not count as a round) therefore drivers hat are excluded should drop in points significantly if they finish the remaining events.
Should one take the standings at present and apply the one dropped event in points at this time, the results will be totalled as follows:
Rautenbach - 85 less lowest scoring event 16 - 69
Cronje - 79 already has a *DNF - 79
Kuun - 78 less lowest score 9 - 69
Gemmell - 72 less lowest score 11 - 61
Fekken - 70 less lowest score 6 - 64
Wilken - already has DNF 0 - 67
The above provisional rally results is more accurate reflection of the championship score at present.
*Did Not Finish result