ADC Public Statement – Outcome of Fuel Compliance Investigation

12th November 2025

 

The Australian Drivers Championship (ADC) has concluded its investigation into the use of non-compliant fuel by Crossland Motorsport and driver Hayden Crossland during Round 4 (Sydney Motorsport Park) and Round 5 (Calder Park) of the 2025 Championship.

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This investigation was initiated after concerns were raised regarding the fuel used in the vehicle prepared and operated by Crossland Motorsport. Over the course of the review, the Category Manager examined written statements, contemporaneous email correspondence, and admissions from team personnel. This material established that ethanol-blended fuel (E10) was used at both events, contrary to ADC Technical Regulation 1.2, which required the exclusive use of commercially available 98-octane pump fuel.

The investigation also determined that the use of E10 was known internally within the Crossland Motorsport team. The entrant of record, Carbon Racing, was not informed at any time prior to discovering the issue himself at Calder Park. While the ADC will not publish private emails, the written material received by the Category Manager clearly demonstrated that team personnel had discussed draining the E10 and replacing it with another non-compliant fuel, and that the driver later acknowledged ethanol had been in use since Sydney.

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Further, at Sydney Motorsport Park, officials questioned the team regarding the installation of an external Lambda/AFR monitor on the car. When asked why the equipment was fitted, the explanation provided was that it was to “make sure the engine was running correctly.” Given that the ADC cars run on a fixed ECU with no capacity for live tuning, this explanation was not consistent with the vehicle’s permitted configuration. While not relied upon as a separate breach, the incident was relevant to assessing the level of transparency and intent surrounding the fuel being used.

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The evidence demonstrated a clear pattern:
– The use of non-compliant fuel across two consecutive rounds;
– No disclosure to the entrant or ADC officials;
– Misleading explanations when directly questioned; and
– An intention to gain an advantage by operating the vehicle in a configuration outside the Technical Regulations.

 

Based on the totality of evidence, the driver Hayden Crossland was found to be in breach of the following regulations:

• ADC Technical Regulation 1.2 (Fuel) – use of a non-compliant ethanol-blended fuel.
   

• AASA NCR 3.1 – Competitor Responsibility – presenting and driving a vehicle in a non-compliant condition.
   

• AASA NCR 3.1 – Failure to Disclose – not informing officials or the entrant of the use of prohibited fuel.
   

• AASA NCR 3.4 – Misconduct / Bringing the Sport Into Disrepute – conduct that undermines fairness and integrity.
   

Accordingly, the following sanctions have been applied:

1. Disqualification from all sessions of Round 4 (Sydney Motorsport Park).
    

2. Disqualification from all sessions of Round 5 (Calder Park).
    

3. Exclusion of all points, positions, and awards from both events.
    

4. Suspension of driver Hayden Crossland from the Australian Drivers Championship for the entirety of the 2026 season, making him ineligible to return until 2027.
    

These sanctions reflect not only the breaches themselves, but the continuation of the conduct across multiple events, the lack of disclosure, and the evidence indicating intentional non-compliance.

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In determining the appropriate sanction, the Category Manager consulted with members of the ADC Tribunal and a group of senior figures within the Championship whose role is to provide procedural guidance in matters of integrity and compliance. Their input related to ensuring that the process, the evidence, regulatory framework and the penalties were applied fairly. The final decision - including the application of the suspension - was made solely by the Category Manager in accordance with the AASA National Competition Rules and the ADC Sporting and Technical Regulations.

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The ADC remains committed to maintaining the integrity of its competition. The use of non-compliant fuel, undisclosed modifications, or any attempt to obtain an unfair advantage will always be treated as a serious breach. This matter reinforces the Championship’s zero-tolerance stance on technical or sporting misconduct, particularly where intent and concealment are evident.