The Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards advise that due to the current regionalised racing structure, and the resultant reduced driving capacity of drivers, the HRV Stewards have amended the penalty structure with immediate effect. This change has been enacted to adequately reflect the current consequential effect of a period of suspension.
The change to the penalty structure outlined below is only relevant for offences included in the HRV Stewards Minimum Penalty Guidelines where a period of suspension is specified and whilst regionalised racing remains in place.
In determining the appropriate penalty the HRV Stewards will continue to consider the ‘relevant factors’ outlined within the HRV Stewards Minimum Penalty Guidelines. Upon determining an appropriate penalty the final penalty will be converted to a suspension of a specified number of race meetings in a drivers designated region as opposed to the usual days or weeks ordinarily imposed.
Generally, a 1 week suspension will equate to a 1 race meeting suspension.
For example:
- 7-10 Day Suspension of licence to drive in races will be converted to a 1 race meeting suspension.
- 14 Day Suspension of licence to drive in races will be converted to a 2 race meeting suspension.
- 3 Week Suspension of licence to drive in races will be converted to a 3 race meeting suspension.
- 4 Week Suspension of licence to drive in races will be converted to a 4 race meeting suspension.
The race meetings included in the period of suspension will be future meetings programmed in the suspended drivers designated region. The 9 day deferment of a suspension will remain available to drivers.
In circumstances where they deem appropriate, the HRV Stewards reserve the right to impose suspensions as per the usual weeks or months as outlined with the ‘HRV Stewards Minimum Penalty Guidelines’.
