Tom Boardman and Team Varta docked points

[Craig]

This is obviously something that happened at the weekend and, until now I've remained silent on it. Now that it is public knowledge I am putting this here on this forum:

(From the latest championship bulletin)

1.2.2 The following had Championship penalties applied to them:
Post Scrutineering: Tom Boardman (Championship Regulation 1.16): Fined £500, 30 points deducted from the BTC Production Drivers’ Championship and BTC Production Teams’ Championship.

This is regulation 1.16:

1.16. Replacement Engines:

For the purposes of this regulation (1.16) an engine is defined as “the complete assembly from the sump to the cam cover excluding any ancillaries which can be removed without the removal of the Championship seals”.

In order to enable engines to be sealed and identified, competitors are required to drill holes in four sump bolts/nuts and four cam cover bolts/nuts suitable for 1.25mm sealing wire. Ideally engines should be presented for sealing prior to being installed in the car.

1.16.1. From 17th April 2003 and prior to any use in any testing or Meetings, all competitors shall have all their engines marked and identified by the BTCC Chief Scrutineer and/or the BTCC Technical Commissioner and/or the BTCC Eligibility Scrutineer in accordance with the BTC Touring and BTC Production Technical Regulations. In the event that an engine requires replacement, the BTCC Chief Scrutineer and/or the BTCC Technical Commissioner and/or the BTCC Eligibility Scrutineer must be notified prior to same, approve such replacement and inform the BTCC Clerk of the replacement. The engine that has been replaced shall be placed under the control of the BTCC Chief Scrutineer and/or the BTCC Technical Commissioner and/or the BTCC Eligibility Scrutineer and may be subject to conformity checks to the Regulations.

1.16.2. Each driver is permitted to use a maximum of four engines during the course of the Championship. Substitute drivers will use the engine allocation of the driver that they replace. It is permitted to change an engine without penalty provided that the seals are not removed, broken or altered in any way.

1.16.3. Engine seals may only be removed under the supervision of the BTCC Chief Scrutineer and/or the BTCC Technical Commissioner and/or the BTCC Eligibility Scrutineer for the purpose of repairing oil leaks or visual inspection. Provided that no mechnical work is carried out other than the repairing of an oil leak by the replacement of gaskets and seals then the engine will be resealed and will not be deemed to be a new engine. For the avoidance of doubt this does not permit the replacement of head gaskets.

If a sump is damaged for any reason it may be changed under supervision of the BTCC Chief Scrutineer and/or the BTCC Technical Commissioner and/or the BTCC Eligibility Scrutineer then the engine will be resealed and will not be deemed to be a new engine. However the driver will be required to start the next race from the back of the complete grid.

1.16.4. If the work permitted in Sporting Regulation 1.16.3 is carried out away from a Race Meeting then BMP will debit the competitor with the costs thereof. The competitor will not be permitted to compete further in the Championship until the costs are paid in full.


1.16.5. Once the engine seals have been removed, broken or altered in any way other than for the reasons defined above in 1.16.3. the engine is deemed to become a new engine and must be resealed again in accordance with the BTC Touring and BTC Production Technical Regulations prior to any further use.

1.16.6 The BTCC Clerk will deduct five Championship points for each of the fifth and sixth engines, ten points for the seventh engine and fifteen points for all subsequent engines from the Manufacturers’ Championship and Teams’ Championship (BTC Touring) or from the Teams’ Championship (BTC Production) for each and every subsequent change of engine for that driver over and above the permitted number.

1.16.7 In exceptional circumstances, the BTCC Clerk (following consultation with the Administrator) may allow an engine to be changed without penalty.

1.16.8 Late Registrations (see Sporting Regulation 1.4.1) are permitted to use a maximum number of engines during the course of the Championship without penalty using the following criteria:

9 to 10 meetings plus remaining test days = four engines per driver
6 to 8 meetings plus remaining test days = three engines per driver
3 to 5 meetings plus remaining test days = two engines per driver
1 to 2 meetings plus remaining test days = one engine

If more engines are used then the penalties in Sporting Regulation 1.16.6 will be applied.

1.16.9 Registered Manufacturers not previously registered for the Championship during 2001 or 2002 are permitted to change one additional engine without penalty (per team) to be allocated at the team’s discretion.

In addition the team have been docked a further five championship points as Tom switched to engine number five at Donington (maximum of four allowed)

For obvious reasons I cannot comment on this matter.

[touringlegend]

I can only assume they've been learning about engines back at HQ then.

S'pose if you do the crime you pay the fine!

[Neil Adams]

30pts deducted ouch! i take it the engine they where using was illegal, to much bhp or something.

[Neil Adams]

hang on the regulation broken is about engines, why has the driver been docked so many points than the team - i dont get it.

[touringlegend]

Put it this way - if Tom was competing for the title and the team fixed the engine without anyone knowing, then surely it'd be an advantage to him too not just the team.

[SPARK Msport]

Shame that, Boardman and the Team have had a good season when things have gone their way...