Fogg appeals against exclusion from race results

Ford Falcon racer Angus Fogg will appeal a decision stripping him of the win in race three of the BNT NZ V8s opening round at Taupo last Sunday.

The decision, made by the event director Graeme Robinson, also stripped away the 75 points Fogg gained for the victory, fined him $600 and endorsed his racing licence until November 5.

Though Fogg’s licence endorsement expires before the next NZ V8s round at Pukekohe on November 7-8, it’s understood the appeal won’t be heard by then.

Robinson made the decision after an official inquiry on Sunday evening where it was alleged Fogg had illegally polished the outer rim of the alloy wheels on his LG Electronics Falcon.

Robinson ruled that after the polishing, the wheels did not comply with NZ V8s technical regulations.

Fogg disputes that, saying the NZ V8s rules clearly allow teams to paint or polish wheel rims.

“We don’t agree with the decision and we have appealed it. We’re gathering evidence to have a crack at overturning it.”

Fogg says there’s no performance gain from polishing the wheels’ outer rim. “It’s a bit of bling for the car.”

Sources told autotrader.co.nz that it might only be a performance issue if the work altered the car’s track. It’s understood the Fogg Falcon passed a track measurement check.

It’s also understood that some other NZ V8s run wheels with polished outer rims.

Fogg had won race three after driving from mid-pack in the reversed grid field, passing a succession of cars, and his exclusion from the heat three results has elevated Paul Pedersen to the race win and changed the provisional series points.