Greatrex Sr was a daily frontrunner on this yr’s British Racing & Sports activities Automobile Membership MX-5 Championship for Mk1 fashions of the sportscar and was joined in Leicestershire by his son.
However the pair each tangled with factors chief Steve Foden within the opening Donington race when Foden returned to the observe after going off following a mechanical concern.
Based on his report of the listening to, chair of the panel Tony Scott Andrews mentioned that the clerk inspecting these clashes had already acquired written and verbal data that the Greatrexes have been “out to get Steve Foden”.
Each drivers have been disqualified from the assembly and handed six penalty factors on their licences.
Nevertheless, when Greatrex Jr was knowledgeable of this, per the report, he “used abusive language to the clerk, left the room persevering with to swear and, on leaving the constructing, slammed the door with such drive that it induced some harm to the door and wall”.
Each appealed the clerk’s determination to the stewards, who overturned Greatrex Jr’s penalty however upheld Greatrex Sr’s, which means his championship hopes have been over.
Greatrex Jr was then summoned in entrance of the officers resulting from his earlier response to the penalty and he was disqualified from the assembly once more.
“On returning to his awning by bicycle, he handed the Foden awning, stopped and made threatening feedback,” continued Scott Andrews’ report.
“He then cycled away and returned to confront and be abusive to a Foden crew member, which culminated in Greatrex spitting in that particular person’s face.”
Photograph by: Mick Walker
Callum Greatrex
Greatrex Jr mentioned a crew member had made a “impolite hand gesture” to him and, later when Foden’s automobile was passing his awning in direction of the meeting space, the report mentioned he “induced the automobile to cease then picked up his bicycle and threw it on the automobile and proceeded to kick the door. His father can be mentioned to have kicked the automobile.”
Each Greatrexes apologised for his or her actions to the court docket, however acquired bans of various lengths.
Greatrex Jr was banned for 5 years, though the ultimate three are suspended. He has additionally been fined £1000, and should pay £250 in prices.
“The court docket considers his actions to be totally unacceptable in each respect, specifically the abhorrent act of spitting in somebody’s face,” mentioned Scott Andrews.
“The court docket finds it troublesome to just accept that these appalling actions have been dedicated by the apologetic and contrite younger man who seems earlier than them right this moment.”
Greatrex Sr, in the meantime, was banned for a yr, the second six months of which is suspended. He was additionally fined £1000 and should pay £250 in prices.
“The court docket accepts that his actions in kicking Foden’s automobile have been completely out of character,” mentioned Scott Andrews.
“The court docket accepts his apology and real sense of contrition, particularly after so a few years of participation in and contribution to motorsport.”