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Police investigating Super Trucks hooning incident

Police are understood to have impounded a Stadium Super Truck competing at this weekend’s CrownBet Darwin Triple Crown after it was caught hooning through Darwin city’s entertainment precinct.

Footage has emerged of the truck performing burnouts and driving wildly on Mitchell Street during a promotional event at Lizards Bar on Saturday night.

The truck arrived on the back of a flat bed truck before it was unloaded and driven on the corner of Daly and Mitchell St at approximately 8pm.

The truck in the footage was raced by Matthew Brabham during this weekend’s race meeting at Hidden Valley Raceway, but Speedcafe.com can confirm Brabham was not at the wheel during the incident.

The identity of the driver is yet to be revealed although sources have suggested Stadium Super Trucks series owner Robby Gordon was piloting the vehicle.

Brabham was interviewed by Police after today’s race where it is believed the authorities impounded the truck.

The NT News confirmed that Police are conducting a full investigation into the incident.

“We have CCTV of the incident and are currently investing,” said Duty Superintendent Robert Burgoyne.

The Stadium Super Trucks were making their competitive race debut at Hidden Valley Raceway this weekend.

The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport has moved to block Robby Gordon from attaining a future competition visa required to compete in Australia following a hooning incident in Darwin.

The decision from CAMS could threaten the future of Stadium Super Trucks series in Australia, with the series owned by Gordon, who also regular competes in the category.

CAMS has confirmed this morning it is launching its own investigation into last weekend’s incident that saw Gordon yesterday plead guilty to four traffic charges at Darwin Local Court and fined $4,150.

The former IndyCar and NASCAR driver performed burnouts in Darwin city’s entertainment precinct on Saturday night.

CAMS described Gordon’s behaviour as ‘inexcusable’ electing to block the American’s application for future competition visa on health and safety grounds.

CEO Eugene Arocca said such antics would not be tolerated in Australia.

“With CAMS actively engaging more than ever with local communities, government, and corporate Australia to grow and promote our sport, so-called ‘hoon’ behaviour on public roads is not reflective of our values, nor our member base, and will not be tolerated,” said Arocca.

“It is unfortunate that such actions have taken place after an otherwise professional and well organised event at Hidden Valley Raceway, and such behaviour is not reflective of the organising committee of that event or Supercars.

“We are disappointed that this incident is not demonstrative of the requisite level of professionalism demanded by modern motor sport.

“As a signatory of the global FIA Action for Road Safety campaign, we believe our CAMS licence holders, volunteers, circuits and car clubs – including our board and staff – uphold responsible conduct on our public roads.”

Gordon was fined more than $1,800 by CAMS during the Clipsal 500 event for a breach of four safety regulations.

Speedcafe.com understands he was forced to apologise to the governing body for allegedly publicly burning his fines.

article from here:
http://www.speedcafe.com/2017/06/20/cams-deny-gordon-future-competition-visa/

Supercars revert to 2016 tyre for Bathurst
The Supercars field will use last year’s specification Dunlop tyre at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 to ensure the championship avoids a repeat of the failures witnessed at Phillip Island this season.

The decision arrives following a spate of failures with the new 2017 construction soft compound control tyre at Phillip Island, which was set to be used at Mount Panorama in October and the visit to Pukekohe in November.

Since Phillip Island, Dunlop has been conducting extensive work at its base in Kobe, Japan to find a solution to the failures, which were caused by a build up of heat in the tyre sidewall.

It is understood aggressive camber settings used by teams influenced some of the failures.

Supercars considered recommendations from Dunlop before electing to push ahead with the 2016 tyre, which will now be used at Bathurst (October 5-8) and the ITM Auckland Super Sprint (November 3-5).

Dunlop has given the green light for 1,400 tyres to be put into production for the Mount Panorama showpiece event.

“It is just a decision we made as a group to go with something we know until we learn more about it (the 2017 tyres),” Dunlop Australia boss Kevin Fitzsimons told Speedcafe.com.

“We are learning lots on the super soft tyre but the harder (soft compound) tyre needs more miles.

“We are working with the category and this was a solution that was put forward.”

Fitzsimons has confirmed that Dunlop plans to test a new specification soft compound tyre designed for 2018 at Phillip Island later this year.

The tyre in question is understood to be a modification of the version used this season featuring a countermeasure to ensure it is stronger under high loads.

A date for the test is yet to be secured.

“It is just a matter of when the factory can make some test tyres and when we can get the circuit,” he added.

“That sort of thing is hard because the circuit is available on three occasions when we are away at other race meetings. It is difficult not only for us but also for the teams.”