Supercars hits back after Scott Pye reveals directive to cut him from broadcast coverage

Supercars has shot down claims from a driver he is being ghosted from the sport’s coverage, after an accusation camera operators were issued a directive to frame him out of the background.

Supercars has shot down claims from Sandown 500 winner Scott Pye that he is being ghosted from the sport’s coverage as it was revealed the co-driver had been invited to observe how the live broadcast is produced at this weekend’s Bathurst 1000.

In a controversial prelude to the biggest race of the year at Mount Panorama, Pye alleged on a recent edition of his Apex Hunters United podcast that he had been deliberately cut out of frames in the Supercars broadcast.

The Triple Eight co-driver claimed the Supercars broadcast team and camera operators had been told at the Sandown 500 that he was “not to be in frame where possible”.

He went on to state it was “detrimental” to himself and the sport, which didn’t “have any personalities” and needed drivers to be outspoken, authentic and honest.

Will Brown and Scott Pye celebrate winning the Sandown 500. Getty Images

Pye won the Sandown 500 alongside Will Brown in a one-two finish for Triple Eight and he will again team up with the championship leader in the Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama.

Supercars has spoken directly with Pye about his comments and Fox Sports data showed he had more airtime and interview time than any other co-driver.

The series has also confirmed Pye has been invited to personally observe how the live television coverage is produced behind the scenes during a session at this weekend’s Bathurst 1000.

A Supercars spokesperson said suggestions there was “an agenda” against Pye were untrue and drivers were encouraged to speak their minds about the issues in the sport.

“Supercars produces award-winning television that captivates fans and drives engagement with key narratives,” a Supercars spokesperson said.

“The suggestion that we have an agenda or discourage drivers from voicing their own thoughts is simply untrue.

“We strongly encourage drivers to speak their minds, as their unique perspectives are an integral part of the sport’s appeal.”

Scott Pye was the fastest driver in the first practice session of the Gold Coast 500 V8 Supercars race, held on the streets of Surfers Paradise. Picture: Brendan Radke

Pye had claimed he had first felt shut-out at Sydney Motorsport Park during media activities and feared other drivers would be discouraged from being “themselves”.

“(They were told) where possible cut Scott out of the frame and we’re not going to go to him for any interviews’,” Pye said on the podcast.

“Then at Sandown I was then told on Sunday night and Monday that it was reiterated to them that I’m not to be in frame where possible.

“For camera operators and people within broadcast to be told that they can’t film me, or they can’t put me in frames is not just detrimental to myself, but what it does do is it is detrimental to the future of the sport because we want drivers to be outspoken, we want them to be authentic and we do want them to be honest when required.

Scott Pye and fellow South Australian Todd Hazelwood at a schools visit in Adelaide last year. Picture: Emma Brasier

“We want them to be themselves because at the moment we don’t have any personalities and what this does, and me talking about it, it’s going to make drivers scared to do what we’re doing today.

“We’re sitting here talking about things and whatever we have done that is so bad should not interfere with the story that (the) broadcast is narrating to the fans at home.”

Brown and Pye will start among the favourites for the Bathurst 1000 after their Sandown win as Brown aims to solidify his series lead with three rounds to go in the season.

ENDS

Originally published as Supercars hits back after Scott Pye reveals directive to cut him from broadcast coverage