The protest by Holden teams against the controversial front splitter mountings on the all conquering Team Vodafone Falcons will now be heard.

The Confederation of Australian Motorsport’s V8 Supercar National Court of Appeal, has upheld an appeal lodged by Walkinshaw Performance and will now allow an official protest.

The appeal was lodged against the decision by Stewards at the Symmons Plains round on 29 May, not hear the protest regarding the legality of the Team Vodafone splitter mount and the decisions and conduct of the V8 Supercar Category Technical Director, Campbell Little.

In a statement released yesterday (June 9 2009) the Court of Appeal ruled that:

• 1. That the Appeal be allowed;
• 2. The time limit for lodging of the Protest by Walkinshaw Performance, dated 22 May 2009, be
• extended to 22 May 2009;
• 3. Direct that CAMS reconvene, for the purpose of Hearing the Protest by Walkinshaw
• Performance alone, the Stewards of the Meeting held on the 1-3 May 2009 at Winton Motor
• Raceway, or appoint other Stewards as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions
• of Rule A10.1.3.14;
• 4. That the Appeal Fee be refunded to the Appellant;
• 5. Direct that the Protest Fee be reinstated;
• 6. Direct that CAMS give notice of this decision to Triple Eight Race Engineering Pty Ltd and
• inform that person that they have a right to be heard at the Hearing;
• 7. Direct that the Stewards conduct the Hearing promptly;
• 8. Liberty to the parties and Triple Eight Race Engineering Pty Ltd to apply for further orders if
• necessary.

The V8 Supercar National Court of Appeal said that it will give its full decision regarding this matter in writing

within 14 days.

The controversy over the splitter mounting has led to the resignation of V8 Supercars Technical Director Campbell Little. In a statement issued last Monday Little said that  he had arrived at the decision in recent weeks.

“The decision was mine based on a number of factors,”he said. “It was always going to be challenging and I am proud of the work I have done. I leave V8 Supercars Australia confident the sport is in strong shape.”

However in an article in the latest edition of the online publication Motorsport e-news Little said “to be honest, in my view, there needs to be some restructuring if the whole thing is to go ahead as it should.”

He was most critical of the Board of V8 Supercars Australia. ” The Board talks about change and implementing change yet if things aren’t done in their way…

Little had been in the job for only a few months and was the third person to hold the position in the past year.

He had called on the Board to change the regulations regarding the mounting of the front splitter to remove any misinterpretations and grey areas that could be exploited.

Little is expected to be in high demand at most top V8 Supercar teams, he had previously worked for both Triple Eight and Stone Brothers Racing.

V8 Supercars Australia Chief Executive Officer Cameron Levick said that he had accepted Little’s resignation with some disappointment.

“It’s disappointing Campbell has arrived at this decision but one we accept as his,” Mr Levick said.

The Board of V8 Supercars Australia will meet today Wednesday June 10 where the search for yet another technical director will begin.