Biela set for reinstatement after appeal

Motor racing

Frank Biela is set to regain his lead in the British Touring Car Championship when Audi present new evidence against their exclusion from Sunday's fourth round at Brands Hatch, writes Gwyn Dolphin. The suspension on the German driver's car was declared to be illegal after a protest from Vauxhall.

Audi have requested written confirmation from the FIA, the sport's international governing body, that the team was allowed to make the modifications. Their appeal will be heard next week, and if successful, Biela will have the 39 points he was docked reinstated.

The issue has cast doubt over the way the FIA overrides national sporting bodies and gives verbal approval to teams to make changes in a series which is based on the principle that the cars must remain close to standard specification.