WHORTON-EALES GETS EXCLUSION U-TURN

now and what we need to do at Snetterton.”

Chairman of the appeal panel Steve Stringwell said in his report: “It is apparent that the original car was substantially damaged at Croft in 2015. Following this incident the car was reshelled with all of the sealed components including a cut in the rear sub section of the loom being transferred and installed in the reshelled car. It was repaired by means of a normal method using ‘Bullet’ fasteners.

“At no point was the repair questioned by anyone. At Donington Park 2016 it was decided by the series scrutineer that this repair, that had been permanent since 2015, should now be declared a modification.

“After careful consideration the panel is satisfied that the method of repair is accepted and is satisfactory as a permanent repair.

“The panel decision is to allow the appeal; the appeal fee is to be returned and the competitor reinstated in the results.”

WDE Motorsport’s Paul Rivett had inherited the Donington victory but he has now been put back to second.

Those extra points could prove crucial for Whorton-eales’ title bid after a difficult weekend at Croft. “We needed them [points] this weekend,” he said. “I struggled to get a clean lap in qualifying and that made the races difficult.”

Whorton-eales was only able to qualify eighth and 10th, but finished fourth and fifth in the races. However, he was involved in further controversy as an incident in race two meant he was demoted to seventh and had two penalty points on his licence. He leads Mike Bushell by three points in the standings.