February 21, 2002
On the eve of their Team Launch, Mapes-VO are embroiled in a major scandal over the livery of their 2002 car.

Mapes-VO Team Manager, Matt Maple, has admitted stealing a livery of a car in another league then sending it to GPVWC Carset Designer 'Max Downforce' claiming it was his own work. 'Max' then set about making the relevant changes to the livery for the GPVWC, unaware that he was altering another GP3 Livery Designer's [Bojan Tartichhio] masterpiece.

In short, Maple was set to not only claim someone elses work as his own & deceive 'Max Downforce', he was also set to decieve the GPVWC Administration & Governing Body.

Bojan & 'Max' are very unimpressed with the whole situation, as it has not only wasted their own time, but also could have had ruined their reputations [especially Max's who had no idea he was altering another designers work].

Worse ramifications are set to come for the Mapes-VO team, as this case has now been put before the Governing Body who will decide a suitable punishment for the team.

It is also thought that Benson & Hedges [the teams Title Sponsor] are absolutely furious with the situation. A situation which could cost the team it's sponsorship deal with them when the current contract comes to an end.

Maple, who is now fully aware of his actions, released the following statement minutes ago:

"I would like to publically apologise for some of things I have said and done over the past few days. I would like to re-itterate to anyone who has taken it the wrong way all actions have been of my own free will and nothing to do with the team or associates. I have been very stressed and busy recently to the extent that my hair has been literally falling out and I have developed a stress disorder known as 'alapeche' or something to that name. In closing I would like to state that I will be 'taking some time out' between the time of the launch and Melbourne where I will return home to see my family and leave Peter in charge".

A small amount of good news for the team, is that the livery situation was eventually resolved, with all parties agreeing that the car could be launched in it's current state, as long as credit was given to both designers [Max & Bojan].

It is not yet known if the team is planning to go ahead with it's launch as planned...we will keep you posted.