The Supercars Championship’s judicial system is set for a major change following the ousting of Jason Bargwanna.
Speedcafe.com has learned that the Supercars Commission recently elected against retaining the former Bathurst winning driver for 2017.
Bargwanna had been in the dual Driving Standards Observer/Investigating Officer position since the start of 2014, where he replaced single-year appointment Cameron McConville.
It is understood that Bargwanna learned of his fate at the weekend’s season ending Coates Hire Sydney 500.
Although teams are known to have pushed for improvements to the judicial system, the removal of Bargwanna has come as a surprise.
Neither Bargwanna nor Supercars would comment on the matter when approached by Speedcafe.com.
The DSO/IO role is considered among the most difficult in the sport, requiring Bargwanna to investigate incidents and recommend penalties to the CAMS stewards.
The change will follow a season where the judicial system was under the spotlight more than ever before, most notably following the dramatic end to October’s Bathurst 1000.
The Bathurst clash involving Jamie Whincup, Scott McLaughlin and Garth Tander raised heated debate over the three-grade penalty system and the dangers of redressing incidents on track.
Bargwanna moved into the driving standards position having raced in the category full-time between 1998 and 2011.
He remains an active driver contesting the New Zealand Touring Car Championship, which he won in 2013 and 2014/15.
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