Sport

Sydney, Australia – A post-race inspection following Race 2 of the Sydney Supercars event has resulted in the disqualification of Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Chaz Mostert and his Toyota Supra. The decision, confirmed by Supercars officials, throws a wrench into the early season standings and underscores the strict adherence to technical regulations within the Repco Supercars Championship.

The disqualification stems from a technical infringement related to the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors. While the team maintains the infraction wasn’t intentional or aimed at gaining a competitive advantage, the regulations are clear: all control tyres must have operational TPMS sensors fitted when used on the car. This incident highlights the critical importance of meticulous preparation and compliance in the highly competitive world of Supercars racing.

TPMS Regulations and the Disqualification

According to Rule D17.1.19 of the Supercars regulations, a Control Tyre must have an operational TPMS sensor fitted to the control wheel whenever This proves fitted to the Car. The official verdict, as reported by Speedcafe.com, stated that the sensors were not fitted at all, regardless of whether a sporting advantage was gained. The fact that the car did not comply with the rules, irrespective of intent, led to the disqualification.

This isn’t simply a case of a malfunctioning sensor; the team failed to install the sensors on the control wheels. Supercars officials emphasized that even if a sensor were to fail due to circumstances beyond a team’s control, the current situation involved a complete lack of installation. The decision underscores the zero-tolerance policy regarding adherence to technical regulations, even in the absence of deliberate intent to cheat.

Impact on the Championship and Broc Feeney’s Victory

The disqualification of Mostert elevates Broc Feeney to the winner of Race 2 at the Sydney Motorsport Park. Feeney, driving for Triple Eight Race Engineering, secured a dramatic victory in a chaotic race, as detailed in reports from Yahoo News Australia. The race was marked by incidents and changing conditions, making Feeney’s win all the more impressive.

The incident also has implications for the championship standings. Mostert’s loss of points will undoubtedly affect his position as the season progresses. The Supercars Championship is known for its tight competition, and even a seemingly minor technical infringement can have significant consequences.

Previous Disqualification and Ongoing Scrutiny

This isn’t the first disqualification to make headlines in the early stages of the 2026 Supercars season. News reports confirm that Mostert Toyota was also disqualified from Sydney Race 2 results. This adds to the scrutiny surrounding the team’s technical compliance.

The Supercars Championship is committed to maintaining a level playing field, and officials have demonstrated a willingness to enforce the regulations rigorously. Teams are expected to ensure their cars meet all technical specifications before taking to the track, and any deviation from the rules will be met with swift and decisive action.

What comes next for Walkinshaw Andretti United is a thorough internal review to understand how the TPMS sensors were overlooked. The team will need to reinforce its pre-race checks and procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The focus now shifts to the upcoming rounds of the championship, where Mostert will be looking to regain lost ground and challenge for the title.

What are your thoughts on the disqualification? Share your opinions in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with fellow Supercars fans!

MILAN, Italy – Latvian bobsleigh pilot Jēkabs Kalenda and his team finished tenth in the four-man event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo on Sunday. The Latvian quartet, representing Ventspils Olympic Unit, completed the competition with a total time that placed them just outside the top contenders in a thrilling final day of bobsleigh action. This result follows Kalenda and teammate Matīss Miknis’ eighth-place finish in the two-man event earlier in the Games.

The Latvian team, comprised of Kalenda, Matīss Miknis, Lauris Kaufmanis, and Mairis Kļava, navigated the challenging Cortina bobsleigh track, improving their position from eleventh after the first two runs on Saturday. Their consistent performance throughout the four heats demonstrated resilience and skill, ultimately securing a respectable tenth-place finish. The competition was dominated by Germany, showcasing their continued prowess in the sport.

German Dominance Continues with Lohners’ Second Gold

Johannes Lohners of Germany secured the gold medal in the four-man bobsleigh, adding to his impressive Olympic haul. This victory marks Lohners’ second gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Games, having previously triumphed in the two-man event. Lohners announced prior to the Games that these would be his final competitive races, capping off a distinguished career with a remarkable Olympic performance. His team completed the four runs in a total time of 3 minutes and 37.57 seconds, according to official results. Delfi.lv reports.

The silver medal went to Francesco Friedrich’s German team, finishing just 0.57 seconds behind Lohners. Switzerland’s Michael Vogt secured the bronze medal with a time 1.07 seconds slower than the gold medalists. A dramatic final run saw Vogt’s team narrowly edge out Germany’s Adam Ammūrs by a mere 0.04 seconds, preventing a German sweep of the podium. Sportacentrs.com details the intense competition for the bronze.

Latvian Team’s Performance Breakdown

Kalenda’s four-man team finished 2.15 seconds behind the winning German team. Their performance across the four heats was relatively consistent, achieving a tenth-place time in the first run, dropping to seventeenth in the second, then rebounding to tenth in the third, and finishing with a ninth-place time in the final run. LSM.lv provided updates throughout the competition.

Kalenda previously partnered with Matīss Miknis in the two-man event, securing an eighth-place finish. The pilot attributed potential improvements in performance to adjustments made in the preparation of the sled runners, indicating a focus on refining this aspect of their technique for future competitions. He noted that continued work in this area will be crucial for the upcoming season.

The Latvian team’s performance at the Milan-Cortina Games demonstrates the growing strength of bobsleigh in the country. Whereas a medal eluded them this time, their consistent runs and tenth-place finish in the four-man event represent a positive step forward.

Looking ahead, the Latvian bobsleigh team will undoubtedly analyze their performance at the Olympics, focusing on areas for improvement and continuing to refine their sled preparation techniques. The dedication to optimizing sled runner performance, as highlighted by Kalenda, will likely be a key focus in their training regimen for the next season. The team’s continued commitment to the sport promises exciting developments for Latvian bobsleigh in the years to arrive.

What are your thoughts on the Latvian team’s performance? Share your comments below and join the discussion!

The wrestling world has a fresh Women’s World Champion and her path to the top was paved with a deliberate choice. Austrian wrestler Thekla, who recently captured the AEW Women’s World Championship defeating Kris Statlander earlier this month, revealed that a fundamental disagreement with the creative control offered by WWE led her to All Elite Wrestling.

Speaking on the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, Thekla articulated her desire for autonomy as a key factor in her decision. “When I first started watching WWE and learning about how things are done over there, I reckon generally, I didn’t love the idea of not doing things my way,” she explained. “Everybody knows that you’ve got to drop your name, and have to do whatever somebody tells you. I’m not great with authority.” The burgeoning star saw AEW as a refreshing alternative, a promotion that resonated with her independent spirit.

“When AEW started, I thought, ‘Okay, something new,’” Thekla continued. “I love a good underdog and I just liked the melting pot of people who started there, and it just had more of a punk feel.” This “punk feel” and the promise of creative freedom were enough to set her sights on Jacksonville, Florida, even early in her professional career. She confessed to having set a goal to join AEW almost immediately after the promotion’s inception six years ago, fueled by what she described as a “cocky attitude.”

Thekla’s journey to AEW wasn’t immediate. Before arriving in the United States, she honed her skills in Japan’s STARDOM promotion, becoming a successful singles competitor and a member of the Donna Del Mondo faction, a group currently featuring WWE star Giulia. Her time in STARDOM provided a strong foundation for her success, and she quickly translated that experience into gold upon joining AEW.

Following her championship win, Thekla’s reign is already facing potential challenges. A returning Thunder Rosa appears to be her first contender, as hinted at during the February 11th edition of “AEW Dynamite.” However, Statlander, the wrestler she defeated for the title, is as well expected to seek a rematch, setting the stage for compelling future matchups.

Thekla’s story is a testament to the growing appeal of AEW as a destination for wrestlers seeking a different kind of environment. While WWE remains the industry leader, AEW’s emphasis on in-ring talent and creative input is clearly attracting athletes who prioritize control over their own narratives.

What comes next for Thekla remains to be seen, but her championship victory and the brewing rivalries suggest a promising future for the new AEW Women’s World Champion. Fans can expect a competitive landscape as she navigates her first title defense and beyond.

What are your thoughts on Thekla’s championship win and her comments about WWE? Share your opinions in the comments below and be sure to share this article with your fellow wrestling fans!

(H/T to Wrestling Inc. For the transcription.)