Australian motorsport's governing body has refused to accredit a driver for the new Supercars season on the same day he had been feted at the 2017 launch.
Matt Chahda will be unable to take his place in this year's championship after the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport's (CAMS) refusal of his team's bid for the required Superlicence.
Chahda's proposed teammate, 16-year-old Alex Rullo, was given the required dispensation to drive.
Rullo will become the youngest driver to take the grid when he gets behind his No.62 Commodore at next month's Clipsal 500.
But Chahda, 23, was not given the same liberty.
Embarrassingly for the team and the sport, official word came through from CAMS within minutes of Chahda taking the stage on Thursday at the launch in Adelaide.
"In considering whether to grant the dispensation, CAMS is required to satisfy itself that there are exceptional circumstances to support a decision to waive the minimum requirements," a CAMS statement read.
"It is the opinion of CAMS that Matt Chahda has not demonstrated the necessary driving skill and competency to support the dispensation requested."
Chahda finished 20th in the second-tier Dunlop Series last year and was excluded from the Sandown meet after triggering a multi-car pile-up.
The statement said Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport was informed on Wednesday of the decision.
Chahda told the Supercars website he was still keen to race.
"Between Lucas, Supercars and CAMS, they've been sorting out all of the licence stuff," he said.
"I just want to go out there and do my absolute best."
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