WATERBURY, VT – Officials from Barre’s Thunder Road International Speedbowl have disqualified Late Model stock car driver Brian Hoar of Williston from his apparent second-place finish in the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic on Monday.
Following post-race technical inspection, Hoar’s #45 car was found to be in violation of the Koni sealed shock absorber rule, which is also in use on the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) championship series. Although the Koni shocks on Hoar’s car were not modified internally, an external modification was determined to be an alteration to the strict ACT Koni shock rule. Hoar and team have been stripped of all championship points and purse money earned in the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic and placed on a three-month suspension from competition at Thunder Road. The #45 team has also been handed a $4,000 fine and will be on technical probation for all ACT Late Model Tour and Série ACT Castrol events for the remainder of the 2007 season. “A good part of our success over the past five years has been our strict policy on the Goodyear tires, the sealed crate engines and the Koni sealed shocks in our Late Model division,” said Thunder Road Manager and ACT President Tom Curley. “Unfortunately, there was an alteration on the part the #45 team. The modification to the shocks was inexpensive and external, but still did not comply with the ACT rulebook. Thunder Road is as disappointed as the #45 team, but we feel strongly about upholding the integrity of our shock rule.” Thunder Road’s 48th racing season continues with Ferguson Waterworks Night on Thursday, June 14. For more |