Moderator's Report
Summary
A well-deserved win for Bagrupp in the rapid Eagle followed by Andreas in the equally rapid Lotus. Fulvio is promoted to the final podium spot due to the disqualification of Tristan for exceeding the Shift-R limit.
Server replay time: 0h01m19s
Lap 1 – Ostkurve - Andreas Gebhardt, Gareth Hall, Axel Cookie, Francesco Molteni and Gregory Taber
Gareth is slipstreaming Andreas on the approach to Ostkurve. Andreas brakes earlier than Gareth expects which results in a rear-end collision. Andreas is sent into a spin but can continue, Gareth hits a marker board which destroys his car and he ends his race upside down. Several other drivers (Axel, Francesco and Greg) are caught up in the melee, they can all continue but Francesco needs a Shift-R.
Andreas clearly braked earlier than Gareth expected but as the following driver it is his responsibility to avoid contact. The Lotus is difficult to drive on cold tyres and Andreas was taking reasonable precautions. It is the following driver’s responsibility to avoid contact by maintaining a safe gap. Both drivers were in control. Any mitigation for early braking (“Simple Rear End Shunt – scenario 1”) does not apply here because this was lap 1. Consequently, the guideline “Blatant Rear End Shunt – Scenario 1” is the most appropriate.
Server replay time: 0h11m46s
Lap 5 – Ostkurve – Tristan Bot
Tristan blows his engine on the run down to the Ostkurve. He stops and performs a Shift-R.
Tristan is a Works driver and is not allowed a Shift-R. Consequently, Tristan is disqualified from the results. Although no other driver was unfairly affected by Tristan’s actions, this was rather fortuitous. If Tristan had been involved in an incident later in the race, a totally innocent driver could have had his race ruined by a car that should not have been competing. Works drivers must not continue races after making a Shift-R.
Server replay time: 0h15m03s
Lap 7 – Stadium Section - Francesco Molteni and Phil Thornton
Phil Thornton tries to outbrake Francesco at the end of the long straight before the stadium section. Phil tries to keep a very tight line but he puts his offside front wheel on the grass which sends him into a spin and off the track. In an effort to fend Phil off, Francesco leaves his braking very late and he runs wide. As Francesco tries to rejoin the track he is hit by Phil’s car which is skidding backwards. At the time of contact both cars were on the grass.
This is a very unusual scenario in that contact was made off the track. However given that neither driver breached any rules this must go down as a racing incident.
