Stewards declare VIP Porsche legal amid controversy

CAMS stewards have declared Tony Quinn’s Porsche GT3-R legal to race in Sunday’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour following a prolonged debate over its eligibility.

The car’s 2013 specification upgrade – consisting mainly of a more aggressive aerodynamic kit – has proven a contentious issue since teams arrived at Bathurst mid-week, leading to a joint protest from the Melbourne Performance Centre Audi and Erebus Mercedes teams.

While the VIP Petfoods outfit received approval from Bathurst 12 Hour organisers last month to run in 2013 specification, a formal request was never put to CAMS, meaning the model was never officially added to the eligible vehicles list.

A CAMS Stewards’ report confirming the car’s approval to race was issued following a lengthy hearing at the circuit this evening.

Read the report in part: “We consider that, if requested, CAMS, in all probability would have approved the request and therefore the vehicle would have been added to the eligibility list as allowed for under Supplementary Regulation Appendix 1 “Notes for classes A,B & C” item 4. which states “Vehicles not on the Eligibility List will be considered upon application and be subject to approval by the Event Organiser and CAMS. Any vehicle accepted and approved may be subject to balance of performance measures”.

“We therefore add the vehicle as described to the Class A eligibility list and find the change not proven.”

Teams will be able to appeal the decision at any time until the race gets underway at 0700.

The Tony Quinn/Klark Quinn/Shane van Gisbergen driven Porsche is set to start the race from eighth place, although Tony will complete the first 50 minutes in his Aston Martin in order to score Australian GT Championship points.

UPDATE: The decision of the CAMS Stewards has been appealed ahead of the race start, leaving the car to race under a cloud.

See below for the full starting line-up