Shane van Gisbergen’s final pit stop in Race 30 is being investigated by officials for a possible breach of rules which has left the title contender’s victory under a cloud.
Television cameras appear to have caught the #97 Red Bull Holden being lowered to the ground with the fuel hose attached which would breach Supercars Rule D25.6.3.
The matter is now being investigated post-race which leaves the results preliminary at this stage.
The rules states: “The Car must be stationary at all times during Refuelling.
“The Car must have all four (4) wheels off the ground while Refuelling is taking place.
“If a Car is lowered to the ground before Refuelling is complete it must be raised immediately and until the Refuelling has been completed.
“It is highly recommended that the Car should be earthed to a grounding connection during a Pit Stop in which Refuelling takes place.”
Should a penalty be issued the race result may change, handing title rival Scott McLaughlin of Shell V-Power Racing, who finished second after being forced to fuel save, the win.
“I have (seen it). My view is pretty clear. It is being investigated by officials at the moment I won’t speculate as to what will happen or not. Rules are clear and it is one of those things,” said DJR Team Penske managing director Ryan Story.
“We will wait and see what happens.
“When you look at the footage it is one of those things. It is being reviewed and we will wait and see what the outcome.”
Triple Eight boss Roland Dane defended the pit stop.
“There is no issue. As we know they will keep a close eye on our pit stops and we have had a look at it and there is no issue,” Dane told Speedcafe.com.
The investigation follows another controversial pit stop of van Gisbergen’s, which was reviewed post-race for a possible breach of spinning wheels at the ITM Auckland SuperSprint.
DJR Team Penske protested the stewards outcome that deemed no breach before the action was dismissed.
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