Sitting on 24th May 2026 Mark Heywood( Chair), Richard Norbury, Peter Roberts
Case No. J2026 / 03
8. Mr Jones’ personal mitigation was limited. He had admitted the allegations, though it must be acknowledged that the evidence was overwhelming. He explained that he had entered the rally before he had been disqualified and he had been going through a difficult time in his personal life and had been“ all over the place” owing to the serious illness of someone close to him, which he explained but which it is unnecessary to repeat here. He accepted that his behaviour had been, as he put it,“ really stupid” and a“ major wrong decision.” He explained that rallying was his life, and he hoped to be able to support other competitors and events even if he could not compete.
9. We have given careful thought to whether the seriousness of these breaches warrants the penalty of exclusion. However, mindful of the withdrawal of matters related to earlier events and conscious that exclusion should be reserved for the most serious offending, we have( narrowly) stepped back from that.
10. Instead, In Mr Jones’ case we make an order of suspension from holding any competition licence for a period of 10 years, i. e., to midnight on 20th May 2036. That order applies to all the breaches, concurrently. Any further breach of the National Competition Rules is to be referred to the National Court for further consideration.
11. Mr Jones is ordered to contribute £ 500 towards the costs of these proceedings.
Mark Heywood KC, Chair 24th May 2026
APPEAL AGAINST: Decision No. 8 of the Stewards dated 26th April 2026, Race 2, Round 1 of the GB3 Championship, Silverstone GP Circuit
APPELLANT: Xcel Motorsport( Entrant) / Lucas Fluxa Cross( Driver, car 7)
Present before the Court:
• Mr Nick Bamber appeared on behalf of Motorsport UK
• Mr Bonner appeared on behalf of Xcel Motorsport and Lucas Fluxa Cross
• Mr Blow made submissions in writing on behalf of Hitech Motorsport and their driver, Jin Nakamura.
• The Stewards of the Competition, Mr Masters, Mr Cowcill, and Mr Andersen( by Teams link) attended to assist as required.
ADMISSIBILITY OF APPEAL
1. On 21st May 2026 we heard this appeal, dismissed it and upheld the penalty imposed by the Stewards of the Competition. We explained that we would give our reasons in writing as soon as possible.
2. The admissibility of the appeal was not raised by any of those involved in the appeal. However, in the course of preparing the reasoned judgment we have had cause to consider,
i. FIA International Sporting Code Article 12.3.4:“ Certain decisions are not subject to appeal. These include decisions to impose a drive-through penalty, a stop-and-go penalty, or other penalties as specified in the applicable sporting regulations as not being susceptible to appeal.”
ii. GB3 Sporting & Technical Regulations Article 12:“ Appeals may not be made against the decisions concerning the following penalties( ISC Art. 12.3.4 refers.) 12( d) Penalties implying a drop of places in the race classification.”
Revolution Magazine 27