Murray disqualified for Super2 smash
Cooper Murray has accepted a reckless driving charge, which has seen him disqualified from Sunday’s Super2 race at Perth and lose his round podium.
The second Dunlop Series race at the Perth SuperSprint ended early after a horrific crash where Cameron McLeod was flying through the air at the fastest point of the track.
As the field flew over the rise on the main straight, McLeod’s #92 Coke Commodore was literally airborne, rolling three times.
The third generation driver was able to walk away from his destroyed car following the accident.
The wild moment was caused after contact with Murray during a battle, which was sparked on the exit of Kolb Corner.
Murray was trying to set-up a move on the inside of McLeod, who went to shut the door as they approached the rise, but contact was made, sending the PremiAir car to the infield in similar fashion to Scott Pye in 2013.
A hearing into the incident took place post race at Wanneroo on Sunday, adjourned at the request of Murray’s team Eggleston Motorsport.
Cooper Murray on the Perth Super2 podium with winner Zach Bates and Kai Allen. Image: Cooper Murray
The reckless driving charge has now been accepted by both driver and team.
This means Murray, who was listed as finishing sixth, is now disqualified.
It is the latest blow to Murray’s Super2 championship hopes after a costly double DNF at the season opening Bathurst 500.
Murray did stand on the podium in second for round points during the presentations at the Perth SuperSprint only behind winner Zach Bates.
Before the next Super2 round at Townsville, Murray will make his Supercars debut at the Darwin Triple Crown in Triple Eight’s Supercheap Auto wildcard on June 14-16.
Below is the full statement from Motorsport Australia.
The adjourned Cooper Murray Hearing was reconvened at 1145hrs on Wednesday 22nd May 2024 by the Stewards, after the Race Director had been advised by the Eggleston Motorsport Authorised Representative Ben Eggleston, following their review of Car 88 on-board judicial vision, Cooper Murray is now in a position, and prepared to accept the breach.
After receiving a duly signed Stewards Referral and Charge Notice from Cooper Murray’s admission to breach of Rule, Schedule B2 Code of Driving Conduct – Driving, Article 3.9 making avoidable contact to the rear of Car 92 Cameron McLeod and assessed as Reckless, as per Schedule B2, Article 2.1.2 of the 2024 Supercars Championship Operations Manual. The Stewards have impose the penalty of disqualification on Car 88 Cooper Murray, from the Race 2 Classifications.
The on-board judicial camera vision from Car 88 is clear and conclusive with the first contact being into the middle of Car 92 rear bumper by the front left of Car 88. Further contact was made by the front left of Car 88 to the right-hand rear corner of Car 92 causing it to leave the track.
Image: Fox Sports
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