Courtney given penalty, starts with negative points

James Courtney has been given a 50 point penalty for contact with Jason Bargwanna in the first race of the season, which means the reigning champion will start the second race with -23 points in the championship.

Courtney made contact with Bargwanna in the opening stages of the race as he tried to make up for his poor qualifying position of 20th place. Courtney then lost several laps whilst his damaged steering was repaired, whilst Bargwanna was able to rejoin the track and continue to finish in 18th.

Brad Jones Racing driver Bargwanna said after the race
“Courtney came firing up the inside. It’s a tightening corner so there was no way he was going to make it. It obviously broke his car as well and, for lap two of the season, it was a pretty stupid move.”

Courtney went on to finish 26th and picked up 27 points despite being four laps down, but has now had those points taken away and more for unnecessary contact.

Speedcafe.com.au reports that Courtney was asked to take a 25 point penalty, but felt that was too harsh and referred the case to the stewards, who decided to impose a 50 point penalty.

James Moffat in his first race for Dick Johnson Racing as Courtney’s replacement, also picked up a 25 point penalty for contact later in the race, also with Bargwanna.