Reid Loses Appeal!

[RIKB]

Here is a copy of todays press release courtesy of MPA Media Ltd.

The title hopes of Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship contender Anthony Reid took a blow today when he failed in a bid to be reinstated to the results of round 14.

The Scot, who finished third in June's race at Croft, North Yorkshire, was later excluded after his Ford Mondeo failed a post-race technical check when information was downloaded from the car's Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

Although the software loaded onto the ECU was legal, there was no 'random pattern' found - 'random pattern' has to be installed to fill empty spaces in the ECU's memory to prevent illegal software being hidden.

At a technical ineligibility appeal hearing today (Tuesday) at the Motor Sports Assocation (MSA), the sport's governing body, the BTCC race stewards' decision was upheld. Ford has forfeited its appeal fee and was ordered to pay £1,000 costs.

The exclusion cost the Scotsman ten points. He is currently second in the championship, six points behind team-mate Alain Menu, and would have re-taken the series lead if the appeal had been successful.

BTCC Administrator Mike Debono now has the right to review the case and could inflict more penalties including a further points deduction and a fine to a maximum of £100,000.

Debono said: "We will be looking at the case and any further action that we feel is necessary will be taken before the end of the season."

So there it is, reid loses the appeal, Ford gets fined. But do you think this Debono character will impose further penalties? Perhaps in an attempt to juice up the last few races? If so will Ford tell him to stuff next year? I know i would!