David EdwardsKelly Keeps Championship, and Lowdnes Looks Towards 2007
December 11th 2006 12:00
The V8 Supercars championship has wrapped up for the season, but it extreme circumstances, it was decided not on the racetrack, but in the boardroom.
In the final race of the final round, the title race was as hot as it could be, as the top two racers Kelly and Lowdnes, were separated by a single point.
But it took three laps before the action heated up. On the fourth turn, Kelly bumped into Lowdnes, causing major structural damage to his car.
Kelly was given a drive through penalty due to the contact, however with the damage to Lowdnes Triple Eight Racing car keeping him out of contention for the race, Kelly earned the points, and with it the V8 Championship.
But it did not finish there, as Lowdnes’ side, Triple Eight Racing, placed a protest against Kelly and his side, HSV Holden, as they believed his penalty was not harsh enough, and it should include a withdraw a championship points.
But the stewards dismissed the appeal, as they believe the penalty was fair for the contact and as a result, Kelly was announced as the 2006 champion.
It was the decision that the stewards had to make. True the contact between Kelly and Lowdnes was the championship deciding moment of the year, and it is true that Lowdnes could have won the season if he had not been hit, but let’s face facts, this is how the races are won and lost.
Whilst the major part of victory is consistent driving throughout the year, something that both drivers displayed predominantly in 2006, a big factor is decided on luck and how your car is battered by the other racers.
I think Triple Eight Racing did the right thing as protest, as it was a heart breaking loss for the side, but it was one they weren’t going to win. Both drivers commented that this was not how they wanted the season to finish off, and it’s a good point to make, but it was how it had to pan out.
Well the biggest point is that this looks like it won’t occur in V8 Racing again. With changes being made next season on championship points, it will be a major change for the motor sport. The biggest change is a addition of championship points for rounds win as well as race wins, which effects Kelly tremendously as he was the first driver to win the V8’s without winning a single round in 2006.
But after a tight finish for the season, the V8 Supercars will eagerly look forward to 2007. The Supercars are earning more and more notice, and with 2007 the media rights changing to new sports giants Channel Seven, they have nothing but good news coming their way.
And the biggest person looking forward to 2007? Craig Lowdnes. Because there is nothing that fuels a person more than revenge, and believe me, he will be looking to do some damage on the track next season.
Until next time, sports minds.
In the final race of the final round, the title race was as hot as it could be, as the top two racers Kelly and Lowdnes, were separated by a single point.
But it took three laps before the action heated up. On the fourth turn, Kelly bumped into Lowdnes, causing major structural damage to his car.
Kelly was given a drive through penalty due to the contact, however with the damage to Lowdnes Triple Eight Racing car keeping him out of contention for the race, Kelly earned the points, and with it the V8 Championship.
But it did not finish there, as Lowdnes’ side, Triple Eight Racing, placed a protest against Kelly and his side, HSV Holden, as they believed his penalty was not harsh enough, and it should include a withdraw a championship points.
But the stewards dismissed the appeal, as they believe the penalty was fair for the contact and as a result, Kelly was announced as the 2006 champion.
It was the decision that the stewards had to make. True the contact between Kelly and Lowdnes was the championship deciding moment of the year, and it is true that Lowdnes could have won the season if he had not been hit, but let’s face facts, this is how the races are won and lost.
Whilst the major part of victory is consistent driving throughout the year, something that both drivers displayed predominantly in 2006, a big factor is decided on luck and how your car is battered by the other racers.
I think Triple Eight Racing did the right thing as protest, as it was a heart breaking loss for the side, but it was one they weren’t going to win. Both drivers commented that this was not how they wanted the season to finish off, and it’s a good point to make, but it was how it had to pan out.
Well the biggest point is that this looks like it won’t occur in V8 Racing again. With changes being made next season on championship points, it will be a major change for the motor sport. The biggest change is a addition of championship points for rounds win as well as race wins, which effects Kelly tremendously as he was the first driver to win the V8’s without winning a single round in 2006.
But after a tight finish for the season, the V8 Supercars will eagerly look forward to 2007. The Supercars are earning more and more notice, and with 2007 the media rights changing to new sports giants Channel Seven, they have nothing but good news coming their way.
And the biggest person looking forward to 2007? Craig Lowdnes. Because there is nothing that fuels a person more than revenge, and believe me, he will be looking to do some damage on the track next season.
Until next time, sports minds.
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