Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Race Director Tim Schenken will not attend this weekend’s Truck Assist Sydney SuperSprint, Motorsport Australia has confirmed.
 
Current Deputy Race Director James Taylor will step into the senior role after Schenken was unable to secure an exemption from the NSW government to travel from Victoria.
 
Taylor has held Race Director roles for a number of international events, including most recently the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.
 
Taylor and other Victorian based Motorsport Australia staff made a last minute dash to Sydney upon news of the border closure, however Schenken was unable to join them at the time.
 
Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca said Taylor was more than qualified to step into the role.
 
“Tim is certainly a very important part of Supercars’ events, however given the current COVID-19 restrictions he has been unable to travel to Sydney. In addition the requirements around self-isolation, without an exemption, would have made it in impractical for Tim to attend,” Arocca said.
 
“While this year has certainly been unique and challenging, we always have plans in place should certain personnel not be available and we’ve quickly enacted these plans with as little disruption as possible. We know James, along with all those in Race Control, and the many volunteer officials around the circuit, will do a fantastic job this weekend.”

Schenken said he was understandably disappointed having only missed two events since his appointment.

“I am certainly going to be watching on TV and have full confidence in James and everyone in Race Control who will do a terrific job,” Schenken said.

“Motorsport Australia has many talented and dedicated officials ready to step up, so the show can certainly go on without me.

“I look forward to getting back into the Race Director chair in the near future.”

Taylor was proud to be stepping into the role for this event.

“Tim is certainly an experienced and world class Race Director who I have been fortunate to work with for many years in various roles,” Taylor said.

“While he will certainly be missed, the team in Race Control will no doubt provide plenty of support to make sure things run smoothly.”

The Truck Assist Sydney SuperSprint will take place at Sydney Motorsport Park on 18-19 July.