Kerb-hopping howlers have V8 Supercars drivers on the edge

DRIVERS fear today’s Gold Coast 600 will be ruined by a tough stance on “kerb hopping’’ after 29 penalties were issued yesterday.

James Courtney and Greg Murphy of the Holden Racing Team second fastest after day 1of the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600, Event 12 of the 2014 Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series at the Gold Coast Street Circuit, Gold Coast, Queensland, October 24, 2014.

HOLDEN hero James Courtney has warned that today’s Gold Coast 600 will be ruined by controversial electronic sensors after an unprecedented 29 “kerb hopping’’ penalties were issued on the opening day of the event.

Courtney was one of several high-profile drivers last night warring with V8 Supercars ­officials over an electronic device that triggers when cars take too much kerb and shortcut the track, with the former champion claiming the system was unreliable.

The issue, not for the first time at the Gold Coast 600, is the chicane on the high-speed straight along the beach.

Tyre bundles and sensors have been installed – to determine if drivers are guilty of trimming the corner – replacing concrete “logs” which were blamed for causing damage to cars last year.

Courtney, who was second quickest behind fellow Holden driver Shane Van Gisbergen in yesterday’s final practice session, said the sensors must be removed before today’s 300km race that will help decide the winner of the year’s ­Enduro Cup.

Drivers who receive four penalties for “kerb hoping’’ are issued a race-killing black flag.

“I think you don’t need both the tyres and the sensors,’’ Courtney said.

“It is an overkill. You pick one or the other. Not both. It will just destroy the race if they are bringing people through pit lane. Spectators don’t want to see the race ruined by penalties and I am sure it is going to be a talking point.’’

Van Gisbergen, who charged home in his Tekno Autosports Holden late in the final practice session to post a time of 1min 10.4729sec, ­described the kerb system as “pretty average”.

“On that last lap I just went stupid and was waiting for a call the whole time, and nothing,” Van Gisbergen said.

“And then earlier in practice I was taking half a car width and getting a strike.

“It’s a pretty average system they’ve got. The tyre barriers are enough to restrict you on the back straight.”

Bathurst winner Chas Mostert was also handed one of the 29 infringement penalties yesterday, along with the likes of Jono Webb, Rick and Todd Kelly and pocket rocket Dean Canto.

“Yeah, I was a bit naughty. I had to sit for a minute,” Mostert told The Bulletin.

The director of sport at V8 Supercars Australia, Damien White, said there was a timing loop beneath the track at Turn 2 that is monitored in conjunction with CCTV.

If drivers take too much ­liberty, they are issued with a first warning, a second warning, then a pit-lane penalty.

“It’s like a little kid. They don’t know how far they can go until they’re slapped,” he said.

“When they come to the race, they will know what to expect. We had nine cars parked in the first practice ­session.”

Tim Slade’s co-driver Tony D’Alberto, in the Supercheap Auto Racing Holden, had the quickest time going into the final drive of the day after a cracking run in the third ­session.

He knew it would make way as the drivers went all out in the final session with many teams on fresh tyres.

“Not that surprised with the time, but happy,” he said of his run of 1:11.4069.

“The boys after Bathurst had a big job to repair the car and it has run faultlessly all day so it’s a big credit to them.

“The session went smoothly, we’ve put on some good times … we must be better than some out there.”

Dick Johnson Racing’s Scott Pye (1:11.4183) posted the quickest time in the morning which none of the co-drivers could match in the second ­session.

The qualifying session ­begins today at 11.35am.

It will be followed by the Top 10 Shootout at 12.40pm and the first of the 102-lap races at 2.40pm.

The GC600 will finish with the second race tomorrow.