Two leading Supercars figures have reignited their bitter emotions concerning last year’s Bathurst 1000 race which was won by Kiwi Scott McLaughlin under controversial circumstances.
McLaughlin kept the win despite accusations of inter-team cheating with DJR Team Penske stablemate Fabian Coulthard asked to hold up the field behind a late safety car.
Following the race, the team were stripped of 300 championship points and slapped with a heavy $250,000 fine.
A fortnight later the team were stripped of their pole position after it was found they had used an illegitimate engine for the weekend.
Now, 12 months later, two Holden team bosses have lashed out at DJR Team Penske again for ‘tainting’ the race.
“Once they did them for the [team order] and then they had the illegal engine and should have started last on the grid well then 100 per cent they should have been stripped (of the win),” Erebus team boss Barry Ryan told News Corp.
“You can’t qualify illegally and then still keep your race win.
“You can’t do anything about it now, but it still sits pretty bad with a lot of people.
“We’ll just go back there and try and fix it I guess.”
Despite a long time between drinks, Ryan revealed he feels worse about the race now than how he felt one year ago.
“I probably feel worse [about it now] … I think they even know that it’s tainted.
“The team order was the worst thing, and the way they tried to cover it up then tried to say it was no advantage.
“We were going to bounce up a lot further but without even worrying about our own result – even if it didn’t involve us – I still would have been p….d off about it.”
Triple Eight Engineering boss Roland Dane added the win doesn’t sit comfortably with him nor the rest of the paddock.
“I think what went on with the engine in qualifying and the tactics in the race I don’t think they sit comfortably with anyone outside of that race team and they still don’t,” Dane said.
“I think Scotty would have had a very good chance of winning that race anyway.
“But it doesn’t sit well with us, it doesn’t sit well with most people to be honest with the sport and it never will do.”
This year’s Bathurst 1000 will be held over October 15-18.
Get over it, don’t tell us Holden teams haven’t played team and spoiling tactics over the past years
Par for the course. Aussies no matter what sport are always winging whining poor losers cf Cricket Netball Rugby Motor racing America’s Cup but to name a few. Cricket ball tampering underarm bowling. Motor Racing the Booing of Jim Richard’s Greg Murphy and Shane Van Gis. America’s Cup Jimmy Spittle sour grapes. Go Kiwis at Bathurst tomorrow.