Stone Brothers Racing to appeal penalty

Stone Brothers Racing will appeal a Confederation of Australian Motor Sports (CAMS) decision to dock Marcos Ambrose 192 points and fine the team $10,000 after a technical breach was discovered in scrutineering after yesterday's sixth round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Queensland Raceway.

The appeal hearing will take place at CAMS head office in Melbourne on Thursday.

The finding was made late last night after an extra 50mm piece of wire and unused plug was found connected to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) loom.

The penalty was given despite the fact that stewards agreed that the breach was unintentional and there was no performance gained from it.

The team is baffled to how the wire came to be there, but it is suspected that at some stage there has been a mix-up between the ECU and dash looms and the sensors attached to them. Both the looms sit side-by-side on the bulkhead under the dash of the car. The dash loom has freedom as to how it can be wired.

The wire in question was a power "output" lead -- similar to an extension cord you would use in your house or workshop, without anything plugged into it.

The penalty is one of the harshest ever in regards to the championship and has severely dented Ambrose's chances of winning back-to-back titles.

Team co-owner Ross Stone said he was desperate to get to Melbourne on Thursday and do everything to clear his team's name, which is highly regarded nationally internationally.

"We are not saying that the wire was not attached to the loom, but it simply doesn't do anything," said Ross Stone.

"In our 15 years of involvement with this category it is the first time we have faced the stewards in relation to a technical matter.

"We have been penalised for loosing a wheel nut here or there or speeding in pit lane, but never for anything related to a technical issue.

"The breach had nothing to do with performance enhancement. We obviously feel that the penalty for this slip-up is extremely harsh and that will be part of our grounds for appeal."

Ambrose has dropped from first to fourth in the championship and now faces a massive battle to make up the 134-point difference between himself and new series leader Steve Richards -- especially with the controversial V8 Supercar points system.

Despite having all his points from the round removed, Ambrose is still remains the winner of the event after dominating the 90-lap race in his Pirtek Falcon.

"Obviously I am disappointed with loosing the points, but more so for the team and everyone who works so hard on this program," said Ambrose.

"I was frustrated when I heard we had a problem, but I was dumbfounded when I was told what the penalty was.

"I won the race fair and square and it is a shame we have been penalised for something that has no bearing on our performance on the track,

"An honest mistake has been made and this is personally shattering for Ross and Jimmy Stone, who are two of the most honest and ethical people I have met in racing.

"I look forward to the hearing on Thursday and the chance to clear our name and hopefully a consideration of the penalty."

-sbr-