Safety risk has trucks off grid

STADIUM Super Trucks have been scrapped from next weekend’s Gold Coast 600 after losing a court case against the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport yesterday.

The action-packed category was a hit with fans on the Gold Coast in 2015 and 2016 before missing last year’s event.

It was set to return to the streets of Surfers Paradise until its licence to compete in Australia was suspended in May on safety grounds.

SST appealed the decision, leading to a date in the Supreme Court of Victoria where, after multiple delays, the verdict fell in favour of CAMS.

The result means the SST series will not be able to take part in the GC600; its place in the support list of Supercars has been taken by the V8 Touring Car Series.

The Bulletin understands CAMS has also been awarded costs.

CAMS chief executive Eugene Arocca welcomed the verdict, saying it was his organisation’s responsibility to ensure motorsport events were as safe as possible for all involved.

“The safety of competitors, officials and spectators is paramount and something we will not compromise on,” Arocca said. “As the governing body for four-wheeled motorsport in Australia, we have a responsibility to ensure we do everything possible to make the sport as safe as it can be, and we believe this category poses a significant risk, particularly on a confined street circuit.

“We have been open with the category management about these risks and what action could be taken to enable them to return to action in Australia.

“Suspending a category is always a last resort. Unfortunately we had no other alternative in this case as we believe there is a significant risk to competitors, spectators and officials.”

In a statement, CAMS acknowledged SST had been a favourite among fans but

WE BELIEVE THIS CATEGORY POSES A SIGNIFICANT RISK, PARTICULARLY ON A CONFINED STREET CIRCUIT CAMS BOSS EUGENE AROCCA

noted a “serious incident” in Perth this year – when a wheel hit a pedestrian bridge – had sparked an investigation.

“These concerns were put to the category manager who failed to provide a satisfactory and suitable response to the dangers identified and the decision was then made to suspend the category in Australia,” the statement said.

Ex-The Southport School student Matt Brabham leads the SST standings, while Gold Coast resident Paul Morris is the defending champion.