Rick Kelly ruled champion after hearing.

By Matthew Agius

Rick Kelly is now officially the 2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series Drivers' Champion, after a Confederation of Australian Motor Sport enquiry into the incident between he and Craig Lowndes on lap two of the final race at yesterday's Caterpillar Grand Finale ruled in favour of the Toll HSV Dealer Team driver.

Kelly was disappointed with the circumstances with which he finished higher than Lowndes in the final race of the weekend, however was confident that the right outcome had been reached and said that he felt that he had served the appropriate penalty on the day.

"I am certainly glad it is all over and the decision has been made. We have worked hard all year for this and the team deserved this championship," said a pleased Kelly.

"We would have loved to have raced Craig to the line because the team gave us a fantastic car that was capable of winning. Ideally, Craig and I should head down to the island later this week and sort it out for ourselves, but unfortunately it is not to be and we just have to accept it and look for a better way of winning next year.

"We were quietly confident that the penalty they applied on us was adequate for the crime committed on the track as they saw it, and this hearing today supported that."

The Toll HSV Dealer Team released a statement following the enquiry, and as a whole, was pleased with the speed that the decision was made.

"We are satisfied with the outcome from today's Stewards Hearing. The investigation was clearly conducted thoroughly, and concluded that no further penalties should be imposed for the racing incident in Race 3 at Phillip Island. We would like to thank all the officials involved in this investigation for the timeliness with which they have resolved this important issue. Based on yesterday's IPO findings, we were confident going into today's hearing that there would be no further case to answer. It is unfortunate that the result of the championship has been prolonged. Now, for the sake of all involved, including the drivers, teams and most importantly the race fans, these matters are now behind us. As a team, we look forward to celebrating Rick's championship with all of our sponsors, supporters and fans."

Craig Lowndes therefore finishes the championship in second place, for the second time in two years, however whilst accepting the ruling, still believes himself the moral winner.

"We are disappointed but we respect the rules and regulations. The stewards have made a decision and we will just get on with it," he said.

"We believe we are the moral champions. We will now focus and regroup and get on with 2007."

Rick Kelly will be presented with his 2006 trophy at tonight's Vee Eight Supercars Australia Gala Night.