Thundercat racer 'grounded'

8:44 AM Tue 17 Mar 2009 GMT
Thundercat racer Dustin Gaskell will be missing from the sport for two-years following an incident on the Gold Coast last October.

Gaskell was competing in a Thundercat race on the Southport Broadwater when he collided with another competitor who sustained serious arm lacerations.

Thundercat Racing Australia, the sport's governing body, has banned Gaskell from competition for two-years and after appearing in the Southport Magistrates Court where he offered a guilty plea to the unsafe operation of the race boat he was hit with a $6000 fine and had his general boating licence suspended for six months.

The court was told that the Thundercat field was under a 'Black Flag Alert', with all competing craft then restricted to a six knot speed.

It was claimed that Gaskell, an experienced driver and a veteran of more than 50 races, ignored the flag and maintained a 15-20 knot speed.

Gaskell's defence barrister conceded his client was speeding, but claimed 'no deliberate or malicious conduct' was involved and the incident came about through a 'momentary loss of control.'

Despite the guilty plea, no conviction was recorded.

by Bob Wonders

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Thundercat racer 'grounded'

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