27/04/2026
I want to publicly and deeply apologise to the Robinson Motorsport Family, friends and followers. I am slammed, gutted and sick to be informed that Erica had been disqualified and suspended after her awesome drive on the weekend placing second in the NSW title. It has been a pleasure to watch her receive her new car which she loved. She has repaid her family and us as she drove competitively and achieved excellent results in her first season with it. After post race inspection, her motor was found to be ‘not to spec’.
Mark come to me to build the best (legal) car I could. I pride myself on being legal in this sport. As you all know, I am the first to call out cheaters and any problems and dedicate my time to improve the sport by working with authorities to get things straight.
In this case I have used a third party to build the motor as I do with all my junior cars that have come through my shop. I simply get a brand new (sealed motor) and put it in. As for this outcome we are working towards the problem to find out how!
The motor builder has used a third party to reco the head and the head and motor gets measured and sealed. You cannot see any modifications to the head with a torch or camera without pulling the valve out which you would need a proper valve removing tool for, not a socket and hammer that NSW Speedway Tech used on Saturday night which appeared to be a carnival witch hunt with a case of tall poppy syndrome and an agenda.
As for the 20yr old Engine Sealing Form, it doesn’t say anywhere and what to look for or remove. F**k everyone knows this seal system is done!! There are people who are certified engine sealers according to speedway that would not even know how to measure or even know the difference in casting of different heads makes and models. In this case, the engine sealer is a highly regarded and honest man of integrity who thoroughly checks everything. Even with everyone doing their utmost to do everything correctly, the system has failed all of us and the penalties have been unfair and over reactive to a completely innocent family. This ‘no appeal’ process only works in the case of those who are actively trying to do the wrong thing and get away with it. There should be the ability to plead your case to SSA and have the matter resolved fairly and as quickly as possible especially in the case of our children being subject to this disappointment. We cannot pay them prize/tow money due to their age but we are quick to financially infringe them.
We have now lost another young girl to our sport and tarnished a family name that is the pinnacle of this sport who give back to more than most ever do to multiple local clubs, only to have it thrown in their faces due to this rule book. It’s NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!!!!
I’m not passing the buck! Mark come to me to build a spec race winner and I failed. The car did not pass spec!! We never imagined that this car that has brought both our families so much pride, would bring us to these depths. It has been said it is a cruel sport and we stand with the Robinson Family who have been so gracious to us which is another testament to the family they are. We have gained some of our greatest friends and moments through speedway but it has also brought out some unsavoury people in this world and disappointments to go with it.
This is no problem of Mark’s, this is mine and I would take the ban on today but speedway rules don’t allow anything so Mark and Erica missed out due to a third party not involved with speedway.
This has really upset me and my family as I am not a cheater and never will be!
This has tarnished my name and reputation and also the Robinson name and reputation and I’m deeply sorry for everyone involved.
To my other customers that have received junior motors I will be checking and resolving any problems accordingly.
I hope that Speedway Australia step in and fix this and accept that there is a problem in their system that makes innocent people the down fall of their rule book and I am willing to dedicate my time to improving this as usual.
We cannot say sorry enough for the series of unfortunate events that have occurred to Robinson Motorsport.
This does not define us.
End statement.
