Stanaway’s noshow ‘just not good enough’
GOLD COAST: The future of Supercars young gun Richie Stanaway is up in the air after he was sensationally stood down for the Gold Coast 600’s final race yesterday for missing a fan autograph session.
Holden outfit Garry Rogers Motorsport (GRM) dropped the bombshell that Super2 Series driver Dylan O’Keeffe would replace Kiwi Stanaway just before the first round of qualifying for yesterday’s 300km event.
GRM boss Garry Rogers gave no guarantees Stanaway would return behind the wheel for the season’s final two rounds. His fate will be decided when GRM bosses discuss his future next week.
‘‘Discipline and respect are vital parts of your wellbeing in life, in my opinion,’’ Rogers said in a video statement.
‘‘Today Richie failed to turn up at a signing session at the team merchandise area for all of the fans, both young and old, who were waiting to see him.
‘‘For a professional, that’s just not good enough. We need to be accountable for our actions.’’
Stanaway was clearly devastated by the decision, saying he had not given up on the team despite GRM making the shock call earlier this month that they would pull out of Supercars racing at the end of 2019 after 24 years due to rising costs.
‘‘It’s an isolated situation,’’ Stanaway said of his autograph session no show.
‘‘I mean, given the circumstances obviously the team’s pulling out, it would have been easy for me to drop my focus or not pretend like I’m interested or whatever, but I feel like I’ve come here and put my best foot forward.
‘‘I’ve been trying my best for the team and done everything I can, so it’s not like I’ve been doing other things that could give them a reason to do this.’’ — AAP