It was announced yesterday (Wednesday 10th June) by Motorsport UK (MSUK), the national governing body of UK motorsport, that the race licence of reigning British Truck Racing champion, Ryan Smith, driver of Truck #1, had been suspended with immediate effect.
The suspension came into effect because Mr Smith amassed 13 penalty points on his racing licence in the course of the past 12 months. Motorsport UK’s National Competition Rules (NCRs) state that any driver reaching 12 penalty points in any 12-month rolling period will be referred to the National Court for consideration of further punishment. As soon as the National Court summons is issued, an immediate suspension of the licence automatically follows.
The British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC) is owned and managed by the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC). BARC engages TruckSport to manage the commercial activities of the championship; for the avoidance of doubt, TruckSport personnel have no influence over racing, eligibility and judicial matters.
All races are officiated by a highly skilled team of MSUK-registered officials, led by an experienced International Clerk of the Course, under the BARC’s authority. Any racing incident is referred by the Clerk to a panel of three MSUK Race Stewards who may look at the evidence, speak to those involved, assess the video footage and other data, before adjudicating on the appropriate penalty, if any.
Mr Smith carried 7 points over from last season and then received 3 penalty points at the Brands Hatch season-opener in April and a further 3 points at Thruxton, triggering the suspension process. The National Court will consider his case on 23rd June, but unfortunately that is two days after the next truck race meeting at Pembrey.
As a result of this, Mr Smith will not be eligible to race at Pembrey this month.
Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive: “This is an unfortunate situation and no one connected with the championship wants Ryan not to be at Pembrey next weekend. However, the regulations are the same for everyone and they are consistently applied by the licensed MSUK officials without fear or favour.
“We have made huge improvements across the championship in recent years, including scrutineering, truck preparation, driving standards and general discipline. This has made the current BTRC as good as it has been for many, many years. Ryan has been an important part of the championship for more than a decade, not just as 10-time and reigning champion, and we very much hope to see him back in the truck at Snetterton in July to continue the defence of his title.”
