Dutton Reprimanded For Shoving Supercars Ford Driver Randle

After Race 18 at Symmons Plains Raceway on August 18^th, 2024, Supercars Ford team Tickford Racing requested an investigation into a postrace altercation between Mark Dutton, Team Manager for Triple Eight Race Engineering, and Thomas Randle, driver of the No. 55 Ford Mustang GT. A verdict has now been reached on the incident.

Mark Dutton

According to a report from Supercars.com, Dutton was scolded for his postrace actions at Symmons Plains. Dutton physically stopped Randle from entering the Triple Eight garage by pushing him out of the way. Randle intended to apologize to Triple Eight driver Broc Feeney, who races the No. 87 Chevy Camaro, to apologize after spinning him out while racing for third. The wreck cost them both valuable positions and had serious championship implications for Feeney, who is now 198 points back from the points lead.

Motorsports Australia investigated the incident and determined that Dutton’s actions violated Supercars guidelines. Specifically, the sanctioning body issued a reprimand in reference to Rule B6.5., which  states that “a person must not intentionally make physical contact, which includes any type of assault with another person, except in self-defense.”

A representative attempted to argue in Dutton’s defense before the ruling, stating that Dutton assumed Randle was on his way to physically confront Feeney after the on-track altercation. They said that Randle failed to remove his helmet before approaching the garage, potentially signaling that he intended to assault Feeney.

However, the sanctioning body ultimately ruled in Randle’s favor, indicating that Dutton’s actions were out of line and clearing the Supercars Ford driver.

“The physical contact, being the push, is admitted and there was no contest as to it being intentional,” Motorsports Australia said in a statement. “It was not made in self-defense and even if it was intended to be in defense of others, it was in the circumstances unnecessary and unreasonable.”

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