Teen sorry for rookie mistake

SUPERCARS’ youngest driver Alex Rullo has apologised after almost causing a high-speed crash when he failed to check his mirror while exiting pit lane.

The 17-year-old, who was given a full-time racing licence on Friday, pulled out of the pits in front of Holden veteran Garth Tander during the qualifying session at Hidden Valley Raceway yesterday.

Tander was on a hot lap and had to swerve to avoid making contact in the straight, where speeds nudging 270km/h have been reached over the weekend.

“It’s 110 per cent my fault, I didn’t actually check my mirror,” Rullo said.

“Sorry to Garth, I wasn’t sure if he was on a lap or not but we’ll know for next time even if it’s not a blue flag be sure to check the mirrors.”

After admitting to a charge of dangerous driving, Rullo was excluded from qualifying and was be made to start yesterday’s 72-lap race from the pit lane.

He was also hit with a $10,000 fine of which half has been suspended until the end of the year.