Glenn Allerton v Mike Jones & Cru Halliday (with Motorcycling Australia)

The Applicant, Mr Glenn Allerton, and the Respondents, Mr Mike Jones and Mr Cru Halliday, are athletes in the sport of motorcycling. All three competed in the 2023 Australian Superbike Championship (‘Championship’). The Applicant sought a declaration that the Respondents colluded to manipulate the result of the concluding race of the Championship at Tailem Bend in South Australia, and in doing so breached a policy of Motorcycling Australia. The Respondents are both from the same team, Team Yamaha. 

The race in question determined the podium positions for the overall Championship. The Applicant alleged that the Respondents acted together (and pursuant to team orders) to ensure placings in the race which would influence the overall Championship standings. If this was established, then there is a further dispute as to whether acting in this manner is in breach of policy.

The Tribunal engaged an expert witness to aid in its consideration. Submissions, including video footage, post-race interviews and witness statements, were considered.

The Tribunal concluded that the Respondents did act together to alter the result of the race. The Respondents were executing team orders to ensure that a Team Yamaha competitor achieved a podium finish in the Championship. 

The Respondents’ planned interference with the natural course of the race did not, however, improperly alter its result. Team orders are an accepted practice in the sport of motorcycling, and thus, no policy was breached. 

The Application was dismissed.