Josh Cook to miss race one after Triple Eight withdraws appeal

Josh Cook WILL sit out the opening race of the weekend at Silverstone after Triple Eight elected to withdraw the appeal into the penalty he was given in race three at Rockingham.

Cook had been given a fourth strike of the campaign after colliding with the Ford Focus of Stephen Jelley going into the Deene Hairpin, which earned him a one race ban in line with the BTCC’s regulations.

Triple Eight appealed the decision but a hearing at Silverstone on Friday upheld the initial decision, with a further appeal being lodged with the MSA’s National Court.

With that hearing unlikely to take place before Brands Hatch, Cook was set to race on this season under appeal, with all results – including the final championship standings – being left as provisional until a decision was made either way.

Had Cook failed in the appeal, his results from both Silverstone and Brands Hatch would have been removed, which could in turn have had an impact on the fight for the championship title.

Having taken part in Saturday’s qualifying session, where he posted the 18th quickest time, Triple Eight confirmed on Sunday morning that the appeal to the National Court has now been withdrawn ahead of the opening race, which will mean Cook becomes the first driver in more than a decade to serve a ban.

The 26-year-old will then line up at the back of the grid for the second race of the weekend.