11/12/2006: For Immediate Release

Following today’s decision by the Stewards to dismiss a protest lodged by Triple Eight Race Engineering the team announced they will not appeal today’s decision and will respect the due process of yesterday and today’s extensive review.

Three-time champion Craig Lowndes said while disappointed not to have had the opportunity to race Rick Kelly to the finish for the Championship he was comfortable not proceeding with an appeal.

“We are comfortable not to proceed with an appeal,â€￾ Lowndes said. “At the end of the day we have presented our case twice and Rick was found guilty of careless driving and his drive-thru penalty regarded as appropriate.

“On the day we had superior car speed and it was going to take an accident or incident for them (HSV Dealer Team) to beat us, unfortunately we had both.

“Our four round wins including Bathurst highlights that we are a champion team in 2006,â€￾ Lowndes concluded.

Triple Eight Race Engineering will now focus on preparing Team Vodafone for the 2007 V8 Supercar Championship Series.

Would be pointless to appeal... its done now and its payback time next YR!!!!