SAFETY CAR MIXUP IN FORMULA FORD
The British Racing & Sports Car Club issued an apology to National Formula Ford 1600 drivers after the safety car was left stationary over a blind crest during the latest round of the championship at Knockhill last weekend.
The safety car was scrambled on the first lap of the third race of the weekend after Team Dolan’s Matt Round-garrido stopped on the inside of the first corner.
Drivers reported seeing no yellow flags or safety car boards until they arrived upon the pace car on the main straight.
Several cars were forced into the pitwall, while championship leader Niall Murray was launched over the Kevin Mills Racing Spectrum of Michael Eastwell, before spearing back across the track.
Clerk of the course Peter Daly confirmed an investigation had been completed.
Daly said: “We had a car stranded [Round-garrido], we then went for the safety car and yellow flags. In hindsight they probably came out too late and the safety car had not started moving.
“We have reviewed it and it was not a good thing at all.
“The safety car normally comes out after the hairpin, but because it was called before the end of the first lap, it was not where it should have been.”
The accident prompted a furious reaction from drivers.
Sebastian Melrose, whose Graham Brunton Racing Ray GR18 narrowly avoided the safety car was particularly critical.
“The safety car came out before the pits, on the left-hand side of the blend line and it was stationary,” he said.
“I came underneath the bridge and everyone just checked up, so I pulled over to the right and I saw the safety car in the middle of the track. I hit the brakes, locked up and went into the pitwall. I missed the safety car by about half an inch.”
Swift Cooper driver Luke Cooper said it was “probably the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen in racing” while Cliff Dempsey Racing returnee Neil Maclennan, one of the first drivers to reach the safety car, labelled it as “shocking, disgraceful and very dangerous”.
Formula Ford veteran Joey Foster added: “Even if there’s a SC board, you do not expect a car to be parked over a blind crest.”
MN understands the MSA Steward from the event has discussed the matter with the MSA Safety Director and the governing body will investigate.
The race was restarted at the end of the bill, with Maclennan taking victory from Cooper, with Jamie Thorburn third.
Maclennan, last year’s runner-up, is aiming to take part in the remainder of the season after making his comeback at Knockhill. He missed the opening round of the year at Silverstone after encountering budget problems but will now compete in the Festival at Brands Hatch in October as well the next round of the season at the Kent circuit in June.