BriSCA F2 Stock Cars
2019 British Championship
In response to outlandish claims and inaccurate pronouncements on assorted social media outlets, Autospeed have made the following statement.
The 2019 British Championship for BriSCA F2 Stock Cars was staged in challenging conditions at Smeatharpe Stadium. A heavy shower just before the race was due on track resulted in the majority of drivers opting to change tyres and make adjustments to their car for a wet set-up. The feeling from the pit area was that drivers were keen to get on with the race before the track potentially changed again, and thus, in recognition of this, the pre-race parade was cancelled.
The grid was assembled as swiftly as possible, and the technical scrutineer team checked all cars for track width. After an early caution period the race progressed and developed into a two-way contest for the lead between 542 Steven Gilbert and 418 Ben Borthwick.
With six laps to go, Borthwick wrestled the lead away from Gilbert. As Borthwick started lap 23, officials in Race Control became aware of a potential problem with the wheel guard on the 418 car. For fear of wrongly issuing the Technical Disqualification flag (white flag with a red ‘X’), they checked the state of the wheel guard on the next lap, and confirmed that it had become detached. With Borthwick now well into lap 24, the instruction was given for the Technical Disqualification flag to be issued. As the Starter was switching from the 2 laps-to-go board to the 1 lap-to go board, the Technical Disqualification flag was not shown before Borthwick had started lap 25. However, the Technical Disqualification flag was waiting for Borthwick as he came to complete lap 25, and the chequered flag was then given to Gilbert, as he crossed the line 1.35 seconds behind Borthwick.
The rules of Technical Disqualification are contained in Rule 309 of the BriSCA F2 Car Construction Regulations and Drivers’ Information book.
309 In-Race Technical Disqualification
309.1 If a car becomes unsafe, or a danger to other competitors, officials, spectators, or the environment (e.g. noise or track damage) during the course of a race, then the driver will be shown the technical disqualification flag (white flag with a diagonal red cross) and will be disqualified from the race.
309.2 If shown the technical disqualification flag, the driver MUST retire to the infield at the earliest safe opportunity.
309.3 Examples of issues that will result in a technical disqualification include, but are not limited to:
· A broken or loose wheel-guard
· Bodywork hanging off
· A loose aerofoil/wing
· A broken/dislodged exhaust pipe or silencer
· Fire
309.4 Any driver ignoring the technical disqualification flag will be shown the black flag and will be subject to further disciplinary action from the Steward of the meeting.
Autospeed would like to commiserate with Ben Borthwick but also warmly praise him for the excellent attitude he showed when advised of the outcome of the race, and for his acceptance of the explanation of how the sequence of events unfolded.
Autospeed would like to congratulate Steven Gilbert, and praise him for the manner in which he accepted the victory and the British Championship.
Autospeed would like to thank all drivers who took part in two days of some of the best BriSCA F2 Stock Car racing that will be seen this season.
Autospeed would like to question the integrity of those persons who have seen fit to post false, misleading, ignorant, abusive and wholly disrespectful comments on social media. If you consider yourself a Stock Car fan, please give extra consideration before posting – you are serving no good purpose to the sport with such ill informed remarks.
