MELBOURNE - Holden driver Paul Dumbrell was last night hit with a massive A$15,000 ($16,304) fine and a 75-point penalty after stewards handed down their verdict from last weekend's horror collision in New Zealand.
While the Castrol Perkins starlet escaped suspension, Dumbrell was visibly upset with the outcome of the
evening which saw him found guilty of reckless driving.
"We're very disappointed with the decision but we'll move on from here," he said.
Dumbrell, 22, was tight-lipped following the hearing after being reprimanded by stewards for commenting on the case beforehand.
"We're not commenting on the decision any more, other than to say we're shattered," Dumbrell said.
"Now we're looking forward to (the next round in) Perth."
Stewards deliberated over the case for nearly four hours, and with the reformed tribunal sitting for the first time during midweek, Dumbrell was slugged with a penalty that sends out a stern message to the rest of the competition.
The fine takes up approximately a third of Dumbrell's yearly wages, and the 75-point deduction makes it extremely difficult for the 22-year old to remain competitive for the remainder of this year's V8 Supercar series.
He originally rejected a lesser sentence from the Independent Prosecuting Officer Peter Wollerman immediately after the race, and despite having the hearing adjourned until last night, Dumbrell was unable to convince chief steward Steve Chopping and his two fellow stewards of his innocence.
Team boss Larry Perkins was left to lament a decision that put his faith in the new tribunal system in jeopardy.
"There are certainly a few issues that need to be addressed," claimed Perkins.
"There's an anomaly there that could be looked at by AVESCO -- Paul had to present his case himself against a reasonably good suburban lawyer, and he was outclassed.
"He's not able to hold his own and the whole scenario was intimidating."
The incident occurred during the third race of Round two of the V8 Supercar series at the Pukekohe circuit in Auckland when Dumbrell smashed into Ford's Craig Baird on the main straight, causing the two cars to veer uncontrollably across the track and into the path of Holden's Cameron McConville.
Despite the spectacular crash, all drivers involved walked away from the incident largely unharmed.
- AAP
