In-car camera rule tweaked after streaming investigation

Supercars has tweaked its in-car camera regulations following Tasmania, where Triple Eight Race Engineering was investigated.

Triple Eight avoided sanction following an investigation into in-car camera streams at Symmons Plains Raceway last month.

According to a stewards report, video stream output from both Triple Eight cars had not been received during Saturday's Tasmania race or in any earlier session at the event.

The in-car stream, which feeds the Supercars app via its ’Shotgun’ function, runs off the VBOX judicial camera and data system.

The Triple Eight feeds were found to have been disabled was because there was an unknown incompatibility between the version of the camera software used by the team and the Supercars version.

The original rule (Rule D21.2.5.2) was previously worded as follows: “The Team will be required to ensure that the video stream output for judicial purposes is functioning in the correct manner.”

In regulations for Sandown and Bathurst recently released, the rule has been amended, with “for judicial purposes” removed.

The words ‘for judicial purposes’ have been removed in supplementary regulations issued this week for Sandown and Bathurst.

The original stewards’ report reads: “While the footage recorded on the SD card in the camera has always been recognised as required for judicial purposes, the video stream is not.

“It is evidence which can be considered by the Stewards but it is not a formal judicial tool. The camera did record footage captured by it onto the SD card.

“Therefore, the judicial function of the camera was fulfilled and the Team could have complied with the delivery up requirement in Rule D21.3.8.“In our view, the words “for judicial purposes” in Rule D21.2.5.2 are a misnomer.

“Therefore, even if the streaming problem could have been detected and resolved earlier, it cannot be said that the Team failed to ensure it was operating “for judicial purposes”.

“For this reason, we decided to take no further action.”

Track action will commence at Sandown on Friday September 13.