Van Gisbergen and seven others excluded from race three

Melbourne race three winner Shane Van Gisbergen and seven other drivers were excluded from the third race due to engine irregularities.

The stewards excluded the eight drivers as their cars’ ignition timing exceeded the maximum allowance variance.

The excluded drivers included Van Gisbergen, Jonathon Webb, Dean Fiore, Scott Pye, Nissan duo Todd Kelly and Michael Caruso as well as Red Bull Racing duo Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup.

“We were outside the rule on the ignition timing for both our cars. It’s a technicality but the rule is black and white so we’ve been excluded It’s pretty annoying that we’ve transgressed like that. It’s just a stupid mistake. Craig (Lowndes) was in with a shout for second or third overall for the weekend,” said Red Bull Racing Australia Team Manager Roland Dane.

The exclusion handed victory to Fabian Coulthard, updated race three results here.