The Toll HSV Dealer Team driver Rick Kelly has come out of a 4 hour hearing with CAMS officials to be officially crowned the Championship winner after fellow rival Craig Lowndes launched a dispute to challenge the outcome of yesterdays racing confrontation. The stewards ruled in favor of Rick Kelly, stating that the drive through penalty Kelly had received was ‘sufficient’ for the severity of the incident, and that no further action was required.

The 2006 Championship had come down the final round, with both drivers tied for points leading into the deciding race 3 on Sunday. After a highly controversial overtaking move in the first few laps of the race saw Kelly put theLowndes’ 888 Falcon into a spin, resulting in heavily damaged suspension which forced Lowndes to finish the race in 29th position.