DJR Details Bizarre Grid Procedure Breach That Penalised Brodie Kostecki at Sandown

Dick Johnson Racing has shed light on the unusual grid procedure breach that resulted in a costly drive-through penalty for Brodie Kostecki during Sunday's second semi-final at Sandown.

speedcafe.com: Brodie Kostecki on the grid before Sunday's race at Sandown. Image: Supercars

The Infringement and Stewards' Findings

Supercars regulations mandate that a car's engine must remain running while approaching its grid box and continue to run until the vehicle reaches a complete stop, a safety measure implemented to protect crew members working on the grid.

According to the official stewards' report, Kostecki violated this requirement on the reconnaissance lap. Data revealed the engine speed dropped to zero rpm for seven seconds while the car decelerated from 31.8 km/h to a standstill in its grid position.

DJR's Explanation: Fuel Saving and Throttle Checks

Speaking to Speedcafe, DJR team manager Tom Moore explained that the incident was an unplanned, misjudged attempt by Kostecki to conserve an incremental amount of fuel rather than any deliberate bid for an unfair competitive edge.

"He’s just turned the engine off rolling into his grid box," Moore told Speedcafe. "You could argue it’s fuel saving but it’s an infinitesimal amount and a lot of other cars do it. They do it all the time. I think we just did a little bit longer than what most other cars have done."

Moore suggested DJR’s prior performance may have put their operations under closer scrutiny from officials. He noted that their fuel efficiency in pit lane the previous day had raised eyebrows, potentially drawing extra attention to their procedures. Additionally, Kostecki had been monitoring the throttle position sensor as he cruised into the box.

Frustration Over Penalty Severity

While Moore conceded the technical breach was indisputable under the wording of the rules, he expressed surprise at the heaviness of the sanction.

"A pit lane penalty is supposed to be race ending, to a certain degree. I thought for something that’s not really a performance advantage that was pretty hefty," Moore said, confirming the manoeuvre was entirely unprompted and would have been vetoed had it been discussed beforehand.

Championship Implications for Adelaide

After starting the race from fourth on the grid, Kostecki served his drive-through penalty on lap 11, tumbling to the rear of the field. He staged a determined recovery drive to finish 10th.

Having already secured his place in the Grand Final with a victory on Saturday, the primary risk of Sunday's setback was seeding position for the season decider in Adelaide. His fightback to 10th proved sufficient to lock in the second seed behind Matt Payne.