Asian Motor Sports

TONY Cochrane, the most powerful person in Australian motor racing, was sensationally relieved of his position as chairman of V8 Supercars at the Eastern Creek round in Sydney yesterday.

TEGA, the association of team owners is headed by independent former politician John Hewson, has agreed that a change at the helm of the category is set to happen.

The board is believed to have to go through procedural matters to make a change of leadership.

Cochrane was not at the circuit yesterday, and he attended the meeting only to coincide with Bahrain promoter Martin Whittaker’s visit on Saturday.

The upheaval occurred in the wake of comments made by Cochrane at a press conference held at the circuit on Saturday morning, when the controversial administrator continued to level criticism at the sport’s former broadcaster Channel 10.

Cochrane accused the network of churlish behavior by holding out on an amendment to an AFL deal that would allow Channel 7 to televise some rounds live into Adelaide.

Seven is committed to show AFL games on a Sunday afternoon and hence is forced to replay the V8 races late on a Sunday night.

Cochrane is believed to have been warned not to offer further comments on the situation, a direction he disobeyed at the press conference prior to the first race on Saturday.

Sports, V8 Supercars, Asian Motor Sports, Australia, Auto Racing, Motorsports