A World Touring Car Championships driver has been busted for a silly offence much more common among average punters - only the fine is much heftier and he's appealing for help.
Dutch driver Tom Coronel of ROAL Motorsport ran third in qualifying at the Nurburgring in Germany and happy with the result, whipped out his smart phone to broadcast live from the car to his fans during his in-lap.
The FIA did not approve of him using the phone while driving, fining the Chevrolet driver 5000 Euros ($NZ8300) for a code of conduct breach. He must pay up within two days.
The stewards decision stated: "At the end of qualifying, the driver was using a mobile phone while driving the car on the track; action contrary to the image of the FIA.
"Breach of 12.1.1c and 12.1.1d of the ISC (International Sporting Code). Not respecting the instructions given through the competition notes of the race director regarding the use of mobile phone."
However, Coronel isn't taking the penalty lying down - instead, he's asked for crowdfunding to help cover the blow to his wallet. He noted that he copped a much heavier fine than he would have if he had committed the offence in a regular car on a public road.
Coronel qualified behind the Citroen pair Jose Maria Lopez and Yvan Muller for the race.