The #91 Tekno Autosports Commodore of Michael Patrizi and Jonny Reid will start five grid places lower than it qualified after an altercation with Jason Bright in yesterday’s qualifying session.
Patrizi held up Bright at Forrests Elbow during the dying stages of Friday’s 40 minute qualifying session.
The penalty means that the Patrizi/Reid entry will start from 25th place on the grid.
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A separate incident at the Sandown 500 between Patrizi and Bright has seen the pair play out a war of words in the press. After this latest stoush, Bright claimed that he thought the blocking was deliberate.
Patrizi was disappointed with the steward’s view and denied that he acted in a deliberate manner.
“I’m disappointed, the whole team is,” Patrizi told Speedcafe.com.
“We don’t think we deserve it, which is why we went to the stewards, but it’s a 1000k race. We’ll press on and see what tomorrow brings.
“I had no clue who it was behind me. It was not intentional on any part. As soon as I saw the car there, I did my best to get out of the way. It’s very difficult at that point of the track.”
Bright claimed the incident cost him a berth in today’s top 10 shootout.
“I’m extremely frustrated about what happened then,” Bright said.
“Michael Patrizi just waited for me. He was a long way in front but slowed up so he definitely got in my way. He had plenty of opportunity to move.”
In other news from the steward’s room, SP Tools driver Shane van Gisbergen was handed a $300 fine for speeding in pit lane.
See below for Speedcafe.com’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 Race Guide.
