SCCA: Drissi's Long Beach win reinstated on appeal
19 May 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
GENTILOZZI REGAINS POINTS FROM CHARLOTTE ON APPEAL
MIAMI, Fla.Tomy Drissi, driver of the No. 15 Drissi Advertising Ford Mustang Cobra, has been reinstated as the winner of the April 16 Johnson Controls 100 presented by Simple Green BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series race in Long Beach, Calif.
Drissis victory was returned following the SCCA Pro Racing Court of Appeals ruling on the appeal of Joe Huffaker, entrant for Brian Simos No. 88 Tommy Bahama Qvale Mangusta.
The ruling declared that the initially issued race results, based on a 35-lap event, are to be reinstated and declared official, and that the revised results, based on a 34-lap event, are null and void.
The ruling changes the finishing order throughout the field, with Willy T. Ribbs now scored as the second-place finisher and Bob Ruman credited with a third-place finish.
In reaching its decision, the Court of Appeal ruled on the basis of post-race protest hearing procedures, finding that by not accepting protests following the race, the Chief Steward did not have the authority to revise the race results.
The Court of Appeal also suggested that the Trans-Am regulations be revised to eliminate the potential for disputes and confusion regarding the ending of timed events.
In other action, the Court of Appeal also upheld, in part, the appeal filed by Paul Gentilozzi in regard to the penalty levied against him following the Charlotte race, April 1, 2000, in which he was penalized one-half of his race purse and one-half of his Drivers Championship points earned in the race.
The Court of Appeal ruled that Gentilozzis Drivers Championship points penalty (13) shall be reinstated, but that his monetary penalty shall remain in effect. 2000 BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Drivers Championship Point Standings -
Three Race Total (Revised)
1, Brian Simo, Qvale Mangusta, 85
2, Paul Gentilozzi, Jaguar XKR, 68
3, Chris Neville, Ford Mustang Cobra, 60
4, Bob Ruman, Chevrolet Corvette, 59
5, Tomy Drissi, Ford Mustang Cobra, 57
6, Lou Gigliotti, Chevrolet Corvette, 48
7, Willy T. Ribbs, Chevrolet Camaro, 47
8, Steve Pelke, Ford Mustang Cobra, 44
9, Gary Johnson (R), Ford Mustang Cobra, 34
10, Simon Gregg, Chevrolet Camaro, 32
11, Peter Shea, Ford Mustang Cobra, 31
12, Randy Ruhlman, Oldsmobile Aurora, 30
13, Leighton Reese, Pontiac Grand Prix, 30
14, Mike Davis (R), Ford Mustang Cobra, 30
15, Jack Willes (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 29
16, Jim Briody, Chevrolet Camaro, 24
17, Claudio Burtin, Ford Mustang Cobra, 23
18, C. David Seuss, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 20
19, Johnny Miller, Chevrolet Corvette, 20
20, G.J. Mennen, Chevrolet Camaro, 19
21, Don Meluzio, Chevrolet Camaro, 18
22, Ken Murillo (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 17
23, Jerry Kinn (R), Chevrolet Corvette, 17
24, Bill Bentley (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 16
25, Jon Leavy, Chevrolet Camaro, 16
26, Mike Lewis, Ford Mustang Cobra, 16
27, Jeff Altenburg (R), Jaguar XKR, 15
28, Frank Cioppettini, Chevrolet Camaro, 15
29, Andre Toennis (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 12
30, Richard La Barbera, Ford Mustang Cobra, 10
31, John Macaluso, Ford Mustang Cobra, 9
2, Jerry Simmons, Chevrolet Camaro, 9
33, Bruce Dewey (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 8
34, Tim Cowen (R), Ford Mustang Cobra, 8
35, Don Sak, Chevrolet Corvette, 6
36, Dan Furey, Chevrolet Corvette, 6
36, Steve Ahlgrim (R), Chevrolet Corvette, 6
37, John Paul Jr. (R), Chevrolet Corvette, 6
39, Dick Greer, Chevrolet Corvette, 5
40, Kerry Alexander, Chevrolet Camaro, 5
41, Stu Hayner, Chevrolet Camaro, 4
42, Monica Kolvyn (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 1
43, Boris Said, Ford Mustang Cobra, 1
44, Mandy Gonzales (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 0
45, Craig Shafer, Chevrolet Camaro, 0
46, Chet Williams, Chevrolet Camaro, 0
(R) - Rookie 2000 BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Red Line Oil Rookie of the Year Point Standings - Three Race Total (Revised)
1, Gary Johnson (R), Ford Mustang Cobra, 34
2, Mike Davis (R), Ford Mustang Cobra, 30
3, Jack Willes (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 29
4, Ken Murillo (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 17
5, Jerry Kinn (R), Chevrolet Corvette, 17
6, Bill Bentley (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 16
7, Jeff Altenburg (R), Jaguar XKR, 15
8, Andre Toennis (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 12
9, Richard La Barbera (R), Ford Mustang Cobra, 10
10, Bruce Dewey (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 8
11, Tim Cowen (R), Ford Mustang Cobra, 8
12, Steve Ahlgrim (R), Chevrolet Corvette, 6
13, John Paul Jr. (R), Chevrolet Corvette, 6
14, Monica Kolvyn (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 1
15, Mandy Gonzales (R), Chevrolet Camaro, 0
Text provided by Greg Rubenstein
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