Timing Is Everything
Further Reflections On The Clipsall 500 Fron Adelaide.
Holden Racing Team's Jeff Grech displayed absolutely terrible timing in a pit lane interview. He avoided answering the question about his team's safety infraction with a run-a-way wheel. According to a rival team boss this should have resulted in a stop go penalty. Jeff instead attacked his accuser "...be worried his driver's code of conduct out on the track, not what is happening in pit lane." Seconds later the screen showed one of his HRT cars pushing an opponent into the wall attempting an impossible passing manoeuvre. HRT eventually got fined $2000, a penalty that will make the multi-million dollar HRT operation, backed by multi billion dollar multi nationals, really think twice next time.
Jeff though was just unlucky, the incident was not an isolated one. The TWR teams probably received more hits than
they dished out, but timing is every thing.
One can forgive Jeff for being a bit miffed about on track behaviour at Adelaide. Earlier he had seen his other HRT Holden blatantly pushed off the track while leading the race. This wasn't a passing incident that went wrong; the car was hit right in the back, with the aim to force it out of the way. Commentators Neil Crompton and Barry Sheene were confident that the offender would be treated severely by the stewards. When it was ruled a 'racing incident' they were a bit shocked. Barry's general opinion of the stewards is that they are "Consistently inconsistent, pathetic." Neil, who has raced in this category since it's inception and will return later on in the season, was a bit more diplomatic. "..some interesting interpretations from race control, so I am not really prepared to comment any more." If Neil, with the luxury of an air conditioned booth, and slow motion replays from multiple angles is confused, what about the drivers who have to make split second decisions in a race? What must the spectators think after seeing some teams given penalties for minor offences while others get away with much worse?
Sour Grapes from "Captain Chaos"?
In a recent interview published in Australian Auto Action, former 500cc Grand Prix Motorcycle World Champion
Wayne Gardner reflected on his switch to four wheels. His V8 Supercar campaign gradually ran out of steam and
money; so in recent years Wayne has been driving for Toyota in the Japanese GT Championships.
He was less than complementary about the local drivers when asked about returning for a regular Australian drive "You
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