BATHURST builder Michael Anderson’s efforts to field a wildcard in the Repco Bathurst 1000 appear to have hit a major snag courtesy of a Superlicence saga.
The 37-year-old announced in May plans to contest October’s Great Race aboard a Dick Johnson Racing-built Ford Mustang purchased from the Queensland-based squad.
A co-driver has not been announced, although Anderson is known to have targeted a high-profile international to share the Mustang with him.
The Supercars Commission is understood to have granted Anderson Motorsport conditional approval for the wildcard, pending the finalisation of several elements.
Critical among the requirements is Anderson himself holding a Motorsport Australia Superlicence.
Amid speculation that the wildcard plan is in doubt, a Motorsport Australia spokesperson confirmed today that Michael Anderson “has not been given a Superlicence”.
The news appeared to blindside Anderson, who was under the impression that his Superlicence had already been approved.
“Basically, what I can say is that I’ve got a Superlicence in my hand,” said Anderson of the situation in reaction to the statement.
“A plastic card from Motorsport Australia with Superlicence on it.”
Motorsport Australia later clarified that a Superlicence was issued and then withdrawn when “incorrect information about his racing history provided in the application” was discovered.
Anderson has been an occasional Super3 competitor over recent seasons and is believed to have achieved the required number of Superlicence points to qualify.
However, there are other hurdles in place, and confusion is understood to have occurred around the need to complete six Super2 rounds across the last three years.
Anderson’s Super3 outings have come on a combined Super2/Super3 grid but are not technically considered Super2 rounds.
Check out the latest Castrol Motorsport News Podcast for more detailed explanation and analysis of the saga.
Supercars affirmed that the Anderson Motorsport wildcard remains eligible for the race, pending the signing of drivers with the required Superlicence.
The latest saga comes two years after young gun Nathan Herne was denied a Bathurst start aboard a Garry Rogers Motorsport-run wildcard, having failed to gain a dispensation.
