Car News Articles

There’s been a lot said about the “biff and barge” in the first round of this year’s V8 Supercar championship at Adelaide.

New driving standards boss Tomas Mezera copped a lot of criticism from both red and blue corners for his more liberal approach to the V8 Supercar rule book.

Some drivers, faced with huge repair bills for accidents that weren’t their fault, were understandably angry, while others defended their no-holds-barred approach to racing.

Mark Winterbottom let rip at fellow Ford driver Craig Lowndes, while Holden’s Greg Murphy and Garth Tander got stuck into the Blue Oval’s James Courtney.

But whoever’s side you were on - and no matter what you think of Mezera’s hands-off approach - you couldn’t help but come away from Adelaide thoroughly entertained.

And when the bell rings for round two and the protagonists come out swinging this weekend, I’ll be perched on the edge of my couch hoping for more of the same.

That’s what sport is about – drama, conflict and the odd bit of bad blood from time to time. Just ask the Australian and Indian cricket teams.

No-one is advocating deliberately taking people out at high speed, but if a car’s been holding another one up for a couple of laps, there’s nothing wrong with a gentle nudge here or there.

As long as the judges are consistent in their rulings, everyone should be happy.

Having said that, if the other side takes out one of my blokes, I’ll instantly be calling for the offender to be given a drive-through penalty.

After all, it’s no fun being a fan if you can’t be shamelessly one-eyed.

What do you think? Should V8 Supercars be an orderly procession or is a bit of paint-swapping just part of the game?

Richard Blackburn