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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
Max McKinney

Van Gisbergen, Feeney stripped of one-two finish in opening Supercars race

Shattered Red Bull fan Judy Praden behind the pits area after the disqualification announcement. Picture by Peter Lorimer

Shane van Gisbergen and Broc Feeney have been stripped of their one-two finish in Supercars' opening race yesterday due to a breach of rules relating to cooling systems used in their cars.

The Red Bull Ampol drivers' cars were the subject of multiple protests following Saturday's race, which van Gisbergen won by more than 14 seconds ahead of teammate Feeney.

Tickford Racing lodged protests against both cars, while Walkinshaw Andretti United protested against just van Gisbergen's car.

Motorsport Australia held the protest hearings on Saturday night and the governing body announced Sunday that both drivers had been "excluded" from the race results, effectively disqualified.

Tickford driver Cam Waters finished third and Walkinshaw Andretti's Chaz Mostert fourth on Saturday, but they now move up to first and second in the results respectively.

Red Bull Ampol drivers van Gisbergen, left, and Feeney, right. Picture by Peter Lorimer

Red Bull Ampol/Triple Eight Race Engineering was deploying ice under the driver's seat in their cars when it is only meant to be placed in a dedicated box located where a passenger seat usually is.

Supercars legend Mark Skaife predicted on Sunday morning that the team would have had a case to answer.

"I would think that they're in trouble," Skaife said during the event's broadcast.

"There's probably no option for the stewards, but to disqualify them.

"If the stewards decide to do that, then Triple Eight will probably appeal.

"Cooling system breach; should be in the passenger side of the car, it was put into the right-hand side of the car.

"It didn't have approval from the head of motorsport and as a consequence, the other teams have effectively protested."

Triple Eight are appealing the stewards' decision.

If the appeal is unsuccessful, it will be the second time van Gisbergen has been stripped of a race victory in Newcastle after a pit-stop incident cost him his win of the opening 2018 race.

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