Motorcycling Australia (MA) has now advised of the results from two investigations conducted by MA Inspectors and a protest hearing into racing incidents in the Australian Superbike Championship Superbike and Supersport 300 classes at Round 4, held at Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin, July 7-9. Below are their findings/statement:

Notice is now given, that determinations following these further investigations at the request of MA, in relation to riders involved in on track incidents occurring in Superbike Race One and Supersport 300 Race One & Three have now been reached.

Daniel Falzon - Image by Andrew Gosling

Daniel Falzon – Image by Andrew Gosling

Superbike Race One

Superbike Race One incident that involved contact between riders Daniel Falzon (#25) and Kyle Buckely (#83) on Sunday 09 July, has now been reviewed by independent arbiters.

The Clerk of Course on 09 July, made a decision allowing Daniel Falzon (#25) to re-start the red flagged Race One, based on the time available, limited incident information and resources at that moment.

Upon further evidence becoming available, and according to General Competition Rules (GCR) and supplementary regulations as they stand, it has since been determined that the Clerk of Course made the correct decision at the time, to then exclude Daniel Falzon (#25) from Race One, as per GCR 10.12.13.4.b.i. Therefore, the original penalty of exclusion is unanimously upheld.

After further inquiry, it was found that the Steward made an error of judgement in the subsequent protest initiated by Daniel Falzon (#25).

Outcomes:

  • Daniel Falzon (#25) is excluded from the results and points of Race One.
  • No action will be taken against Kyle Buckley (#83)
  • Operational review has now commenced to improve information flow towards the Clerk of Course during race stoppages.
  • Operational review commenced in relation to protest hearing processes.
  • An immediate review of the MoMS item 10.12.12 Stopping Events to be conducted by the relevant committees/commissions to clarify and remove any ambiguities wherever possible.

Supersport 300 Race One

Supersport 300 Race One red flag incident at Turn One, involving Corey Briffa (#23) and Scott Nicolson (#39) on Saturday 08 July, has concluded.

Corey Briffa (#23) and Scott Nicholson (#39) were unable to avoid a motorcycle they were closely following Brandon Demmery (#1), when it’s engine suddenly lost power, and therefore are not held responsible for the incident.

Brandon Demmery (#1) had no direct control over his engine suddenly losing power in the manner that it did, and is also deemed unaccountable for the incident.

Accordingly, Corey Briffa (#23) and Scott Nicholson (#39) have been reinstated in Supersport 300 Race One points.

Outcomes:

  • Corey Briffa (#23) and Scott Nicholson (#39) reinstated Race One
  • No action will be taken against Corey Briffa (#23), Scott Nicholson (#39) or Brandon Demmery (#1)
  • Operational review commenced in relation to protest hearing processes.
  • An immediate review of the MoMS item 10.12.12 Stopping Events to be conducted by the relevant committees/commissions to clarify and remove any ambiguities wherever possible.

Supersport 300 Race 3

Supersport 300 Race Three, hearing conducted for a protest submitted regarding the riding conduct of rider Jack Mahaffy (#37) on Sunday 09 July has concluded.

The protest related to a determination written by the Clerk of Course in which rider Jack Mahaffy (#37) is accused of “acting in a reckless and dangerous manner”.

Jack Mahaffy (#37) was penalised with a two-place relegation in the results of race Three. Upon review by the Steward, the initial penalty as determined by the Clerk of Course in awarding a two-place relegation, has been amended to a one-place relegation penalty.

Results for Supersport 300 Race Three will now reinstate competitor Jack Mahaffy (#37) into the appropriate position.

Outcomes:

  • Jack Mahaffy (#37) sanctioned with a one position penalty in Race Three.

In the above matters, MA believes that it has exercised reasonable diligence and has acted appropriately in these separate instances, by examining all relevant procedures and protocols in relation to incident review processes, as set out in the 2017 Manual of Motorcycle Sport (MoMS) in addition to the relevant supplementary regulations (Supp Regs). The above circumstances emanating from Round 4, will add to the overall streamlining and improvement of protocols and processes for the championship going forward.

Corrected points and standings will be made available via Computime

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