BTCC Rounds 13, 14 & 15, Thruxton.

[Pickles]

Statement from Andy Neate on one of the Facebook BTCC groups - 'Hi Guys, just so you are all aware. These are the facts that need to be said following the disaster of Thruxton. When the video of the on track incident was reviewed by the Stewards, the BTCC clerk namely Ian Watson that issued the penalty originally subsequently changed his opinion that the contact wasn’t deliberate. The stewards asked Ian having reviewed all the footage has he changed his opinion, he said on the points and strike no he hasn’t changed his mind which I think was fair, but he did conclude that he now felt having reviewed the footage the evidence suggested it wasn’t deliberate and his opinion had changed. And following reviewing evidence the stewards stated that they wouldn’t be taking any further action. There was a deal of confusion they followed as the penalty had been issued by the clerk Ian Watson, the stewards had seen the evidence and decided they wouldn’t take any further action, But because they had seen the evidence they couldn’t then hear any appeal. In which case it was highly likely that the disqualification penalty would have been overturned if an appeal had been heard. But it was 8:30pm at night at Thruxton, it made no odds to me as I didn’t get any points that weekend anyway. So I didn’t bother appealing, for the appeal to be heard in a court probably weeks later as the stewards could not hear it. Myself, the team manager and in fact The clerk i am sure all wanted to go home. I certainly did. So these are the facts, I am not saying anything that is untrue here. The rules of the blue book are strange sometimes and even confuse the clerks and the stewards sometimes when strange occurrences and processes out of kilta with the judicial processes take place. As I was inadvertently not offered the Chance to appeal originally at the first decision by the clerk up the bus as I should have been, the stewards had too offer me the chance later with an extension they are granted to give, but as I say it made no difference. I was happy all the officials had positive opinion at the end of the hearing. And as I say I didn’t win any points apart from those on my license at the weekend so there was no reason and allow everyone to go home. Both myself, team manager and Ian Watson left the matter all satisfied with a suitable opinion, and I was happy with that. Also it is fair to say, Boardley has his race unnecessarily ended by my contact with him. But also my race was effectively ended earlier on in that by contact from him, and whilst he didn’t get an official penalty, I was informed he was advised of the nature of hist contact he made with me a few times on the opening lap in race 1, contact that sent me off in turn 1 at high speed. I have no mallis with Boardley, I’m sure he didn’t intentionally mean to hit my car, and I didn’t hit his on purpose either. That’s racing sometimes. Over to you all to have your opinions you are welcome too, but these are facts that I am sure you can all check if you can speak to the officials directly. The officials do a difficult job, and whilst sometimes we disagree, I was happy we all left Thruxton late on Sunday morally knowing what really did and didn’t happen.'