Jones Fined $8000 Over Clash With Race Official
The Age
Sunday July 3, 1994
Perth.
Former formula one world champion Alan Jones was fined $8000 by race stewards after a heated exchange with an official at the Australian touring car championship at Perth's Wanneroo Raceway yesterday.
Jones intends to appeal against the fine, imposed just before his winning yesterday's ninth round of the championship.
The 1980 world drivers' champion was in an unstoppable mood with a flag-to-flag win in the second of the two title heats, shortly after hearing of the heavy fine imposed by Confederation of Australian Motor Sport stewards.
Jones, 47, was fined for allegedly punching a gatekeeper while attempting to enter the pit area before the race began. He was notified of the fine and a possible six-month suspended sentence between yesterday's two heats.
Jones would not comment on the incident except that he would mount a vigorous appeal, represented by a leading Melbourne solicitor. He would not confirm a report that he offered to reimburse an official for a pair of spectacles reportedly broken during the incident.
Having charged from eighth on the grid to finish third in heat one, in heat two Jones displayed the controlled aggression that marked his formula one career.
With a snappy start and forceful move with two wheels on the grass from the second row of the grid, Jones accounted for Commodore drivers Tony Longhurst and Larry Perkins before reaching turn one. He was never headed.
Earlier, Longhurst won his first title heat since switching to Commodore V8 with a confidence-boosting victory in heat one ahead of Perkins and Jones.
Two weeks ago Longhurst was fined $10,000 and received a six-month suspended sentence for punching teammate Paul Morris after a racing incident at Winton.
Jones' Falcon teammate, Glenn Seton, was leading heat one when forced out with engine problems that also kept him out of heat two. Mark Skaife's Commodore suffered a puncture after a series of brake lock- ups and failed to finish for the first time this season.
Despite this non-finish, Skaife was formally confirmed as the new Australian touring car champion as his nearest rival, Peter Brock (Commodore), had a poor day.
Jones finished with 34 points, taking victory ahead of Perkins on 32 and Falcon driver John Bowe on 24.
It was Jones' first race and round win of the current season. In qualifying he had been caught out by wet weather and an incorrect tyre choice but said his Falcon was going to be the car to beat in the dry on race day.
``I was confident because this circuit has three Falcon-style long corners which more than make up for the power advantage of the Commodores," Jones said.
Championship points: Skaife 285, Brock 190, Seton 185, Perkins 166, Jones 163, Richards 156.
© 1994 The Age