Team boss' extraordinary claim following 'safe space' clash

Embattled Erebus Motorsport team owner Betty Klimenko has claimed Supercars bosses have thrown the rulebook “out the window” after a physical pit lane altercation went unpunished.

In a social media post, Klimenko fired up after Red Bull Triple Eight team boss Mark Dutton appeared to push Tickford driver Thomas Randle out of the garage.

Randle was trying to find Broc Feeney to apologise for a late-race collision between the pair while fighting for a spot on the podium in the final race of the weekend at the Symmons Plains circuit, south of Launceston on Sunday.

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As Randle entered the garage, Dutton ran from behind him, appeared to grab his shoulder and blocked him from entering the garage. Dutton said he had no idea Randle intended to apologise.

The incident was similar to an altercation between driver Mark Winterbottom and Erebus chief executive Barry Ryan at Pukekohe in 2022, for which Ryan received an official reprimand.

It was the latter point that drew Klimenko’s ire.

“It was a very interesting weekend … could not believe it when Dutton and Whincup put their hands on Randle when he tried to apologise – a rule which got Barry Ryan in trouble and punished,” she said in a social media post.

“As the rule states, no one from any team may physically touch someone from another team.

“But all things being as they are in Supercars, as far as I know neither of them got a summons to appear in front of the stewards.

“And people wonder why I have so little faith in the sport as it is at the moment. Most rules have gone out the window, and changed to suit the occasion.

“Oh well, nothing I can do but hope that one day my faith will come back.”

Dutton defended his actions, and explained he didn’t know Randle’s intentions given he was still wearing his helmet.

“For me as team manager it’s my role to make sure our garage is a safe space,” he told Speedcafe.

“I don’t know what he’s coming in with his helmet on to do, so it’s quite simple, just don’t come into our space.

“This is our space, please stay outside. If you want to talk or do whatever later, now’s not the time. Cool down, just don’t come into our space.”

“I’m team manager, I need to make sure it’s a safe space for our drivers and crew to work out of.”

While neither party were called to the stewards at the track, Supercars on Monday confirmed Tickford had requested the incident be reviewed.

“Motorsport Australia has received correspondence from Tickford regarding a post-race incident in pit lane at this weekend’s Supercars event in Tasmania,” a statement read.

“We will now work with the relevant parties to determine the next steps and if any further action will be taken.”

Triple Eight team owner Jamie Whincup was standing next to Dutton at the front of the garage, but rather than block Randle from entering, appeared to be directing him to the truck.

“I just wanted to apologise to Broc but I think he’d gone to the truck,” Randle said on the broadcast.

“Dutto has got some invisible line there, Jamie (Whincup) was fine, he was all good. That’s all you can do – apologise and move on.”

The incident capped off a rough afternoon for the Tickford driver.

Starting from pole, Randle led the field through the first two corners, but made a mistake at the tight hairpin and lost out to teammate Cameron Waters who had started second.

It put him in the clutches of both Red Bull drivers Feeney and Will Brown, with whom Randle would spend much of the afternoon battling.

On fresher tyres, Randle was battling Brown for second place with 11 laps to go when he was forced onto the grass out of the final corner, which dropped him back to fourth behind Feeney.

With five laps remaining, Randle had again closed the gap to Feeney, who in turn was right behind Brown, when Randle made another error into the hairpin and spun Feeney.

“Are you serious,” Feeney quipped on team radio. The 21-year-old would eventually cross the line 15th.

Randle crossed the line in sixth, but a 15-second penalty for the collision dropped him to 18th in the final classification.

Waters survived two safety car restarts to take a commanding victory, his third of the season.

Randle was clearly emotional after the race, his in-car camera showing him bashing the steering wheel with his hands.

Speaking to former champion Garth Tander on the Fox Sports broadcast, Randle took full responsibility for Feeney collision.

“(I’m) just gutted with my mistake … that was all my fault,” he said.

“I’ve got no one else to blame but myself. I’ll be kicking myself for that one for a while.

“It’s just a real shame. It was a really good chance to capitalise on some good points.

“Obviously happy for Cam to get the win, clearly had the speed, it just doesn’t feel real that that’s just happened.”

Tander then praised Randle for taking full ownership of the mistake.

Elsewhere, the eponymous Brad Jones Racing team owner was left fuming after a collision between his driver Jaxon Evans and Ford rival Jordan Love left the former in the concrete wall with a heavily damaged left-rear.

Evans and Love were battling side-by-side when the latter moved over on the former which forced him onto the grass and then into the concrete wall.

Speaking on the broadcast shortly after, Jones was clearly choosing his words carefully.

“From what I could see on TV, you need to leave racing room,” he said.

“I know (Love) is young, but I just thought it was a bit too much. I’m sure the stewards will sort it out.”

Love was penalised for the crash, and finished 20th.