Bathurst wildcard in doubt as GRM drops appeal

Motorsport Australia has today announced that Garry Rogers Motorsport has ended its appeal over Nathan Hearne’s Superlicence, putting the team’s Bathurst 1000 wildcard in doubt just under a week from the race weekend starting.

Initially planning to run alongside Super2 driver Tyler Everingham, the deal to get Herne behind the wheel was all but a sure thing on GRM’s end but Motorsport Australia refused to issue him a Superlicence for the event, making it impossible for him to race.

Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca says the decision was made on safety grounds and that a dispensation to allow Herne to race would’ve been possible if he’d had enough experience in their pathways.

“Motorsport Australia has been advised by lawyers acting for Nathan Herne and GRM that they will not continue with their appeal to the Australian Motor Sport Appeal Court (AMSAC),” said Arocca.

“The decision to not award a dispensation was made purely and only on safety grounds, considering the relevant experience of the driver in question. Any suggestions otherwise are simply not true and ill informed.

“Motorsport Australia does not compromise on safety. Some of the most senior and respected motorsport people in Australia considered the matter and all came to the same decision through this process.

“Motorsport Australia considers this issue resolved and we wish Nathan all the very best with his career.”

With the Bathurst 1000 getting underway next Thursday October 15, it looks unlikely for GRM to make the grid unless they can find another driver with a Superlicence in the meantime.