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Tickford refers Randle-Dutton tiff to Supercars umpire

3 minute read

Supercars' governing body will investigate a heated encounter between Tickford racer Thomas Randle and the manager of a rival team after a dramatic race 18.

Tickford Racing has referred an altercation between driver Thomas Randle and Triple Eight team manager Mark Dutton to Supercars' governing body as tensions between the teams escalate.

Motorsport Australia confirmed it would look into the incident which occurred when Randle approached the Triple Eight garage after race 18 at Symmons Plains Raceway on Sunday.

Randle said he was trying to apologise to Triple Eight driver Broc Feeney after he crashed into him late in the race, causing him to fall back to 15th position and suffer a major blow to his championship title ambitions.

But Dutton, one of the most successful race engineers in Supercars' modern history, was captured on camera physically blocking Randle from entering the garage.

Tickford chief executive Simon Brookhouse was circumspect when questioned about the run-in on Sunday evening, saying it happened in the heat of the moment.

But on Monday, the teams' apparent entente cordiale was broken.

"Motorsport Australia has received correspondence from Tickford regarding a post-race incident in pit lane at this weekend's Supercars event in Tasmania," a spokesperson for the organisation said.

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

Randle, who broke down in tears after finishing in 18th place from pole position, was full of remorse following the race.

"I just wanted to apologise to Broc but I think he'd gone in the truck," he said.

"Dutto's got some invisible line there, (Triple Eight team principle) Jamie (Whincup) was fine. So that's all you can do - apologise and move on."

Dutton told motorsport website Speedcafe it was his role as team manager to make the garage a safe space.

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

"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."

In 2022, Motorsport Australia formally reprimanded Barry Ryan after the Erebus CEO erupted at driver Mark Winterbottom in a similar garage altercation.

Tickford and Triple Eight have been approached for comment.

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