The Rebellion LMP2 squad was "stripped of its overall Le Mans 24 Hours podium," after video evidence found the Swiss squad guilty of a "bodywork infringement used to restart its engine after pitstops." Nelson Piquet Jr., David Heinemeier Hansson and Mathias Beche had taken Rebellion's #13 Oreca 07-Gibson to the team's first outright podium finish at La Sarthe last Sunday. However, Rebellion was found to be guilty post-race of "modifying a homologated part and using it partly during the race," and has been disqualified from the results (MOTORSPORT, 6/19).
There is "considerable" frustration among members of Royal Birkdale "four weeks before the Lancashire golf club hosts the Open Championship." The club decreed that during the week of the tournament, members can invite "only one guest into the clubhouse," which offers a panoramic view of the 18th green from the bar. Birkdale "regulars believe one of the perks of their membership is to invite friends" when The Open comes to Southport (London DAILY MAIL, 6/19).
The Asian Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia "agreed to co-sanction the New Zealand Open" in '18 and '19, officials said on Tuesday. Prize money will count toward the Asian Tour's Order of Merit and 30 Tour members will be included at the event, which will be played from March 1-4, 2018 at The Hills and the Millbrook Resort in Queenstown (REUTERS, 6/20).
China "could be about to call time on its showpiece" Formula 1 grand prix after the FIA released the schedule for next season with the Shanghai race marked as provisional, having "yet to secure a commercial rights deal with the F1 group." A spokesperson for race organizer Shanghai Int'l Circuit would only confirm negotiations with F1 were "ongoing," but said that "there was unlikely to be a decision made until December" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 6/20).
A "subtle change" has been made to the entry list for this year's Irish Open. For the first time, there will be no amateurs in the field (IRISH TIMES, 6/19).
League Championship side Cardiff City's home preseason friendly against League One club Portsmouth on July 29 has been canceled "after both sides were drawn against each other" in the English Football League Cup (BBC, 6/19).
