2009-84 They're off in this year's International Grand Prix at Pukekohe. Andrew Miedecke (8) leads the pack off the starting grid chased by Davy Jones (1), David Oxton * (18), Paul Radisich (9), Ken Smith (11) and Justin Revene (5). The racing at Wigram tomorrow looks as though it will equally as exciting. Davy Jones Argument not exhausted 81 COACHIN, Neville Crichton, disqualified winner of the ANZ touring car championsbip race at Manfeild on Saturday, today said his team's disqualification was not legal. "We feel the point they threw us out on is not a legal reason," he said. - After crossing the line first in his Holden Commodore SS Crichton's car was inspected by the Motorsport Association of New Zealand's judges of fact. "We were thrown out after the race on a technicality about the exhaust system," Mr Crichton; the owner of the Admiral's Cup yacht Shockwave, said. • Altbough he was never given the specific reason -for disqualification Crichton believed it was for using a slip joint rather than a welded connection between the muffler and tail pipe of the car. This allowed easy adjustment of the exhaust system length An executive member of the organising committee for the Wigram meeting Mr Ron Rutherford, said the slip joint was "a small matter" for which disqualification was a "severe punishment. A warning, a small fine or a loss of points would be more common, he said. On Saturday the Manfeild judges accepted an appeal against the decision but three days later the appeal was rejected. After an approach from Mr Crichton's lawyer the judges said they would reconsider allowing an appeal. The car had already been raced at the Pukekohe and Bay Park meetings using the slip-jointed exhaust system. Late on Thursday afternoon Crichton was told an independent inquiry would be held after the practice rounds at Wigram tomorrow. Mr Barry Higham, of Christchurch, will head the inquiry panel. "Our car was probably the most legal car running, Crichton said. sport and we have got all sorts of amateurs in charge. "The problem, is that motor racing is a professional There have been so many anomalies in the rules."i" When ruies were breached at previous meetings the teams were asked to sort out tne probiems by the next meeting. Officials had already admitted the rules for the ANZ touring car championship were a little loose, Crichton said. Mr Rutherford agreed there had been "a bit of a change of rules in midstream" and said "teething problems" were to be expected. Crichton 'still has the winner's cup from Saturday's race but he did not receive the $5000 prize money. The Crichton team is still awaiting a decision on the fitting of an airbox - an air intake scoop on the bonnet -- to its car. The MANZ originally approved the airbox as an acceptable update to the standard Commodore SS but then reversed its decision. An appeal is being considered. • PICTURED: Neville Crichton holds the slip-joint exhaust system used in his Commodore SS.