Racecar client Team Modena were victim to a controversial incident last weekend in the Korean CJ Super Race Series - where the #1 Lexus knocked the Team Modena BMW into the wall. The damage to the Racecar is extensive and may require a new bodyshell. Needless to say Team Modena expect some dialogue with the Championship organisers over this incident - it was a busy weekend for the team as they were also at the Le Mans test day with their GT1 car and also debuting their GT3 Lamborghini Gallardo in the British GT Championship.

A summary of the incident has been prepared by Team Modena driver and representative – Gene Lee.

GENERAL STAGE OF EVENTS

On lap 13 of the CJ Super Race Championship, the #1 car of the Kixx Prime Hankook Lexus Team driven by Mr. Jinwoo Hwang was caught up behind a backmarker coming out of the last corner onto the main pit straight. 

• Team Modena car #5 driven by Gene Lee was right behind the #1 Lexus.
• The #1 Lexus changed lanes in order to protect the inside racing line on the straight.
• Car #5 had a better exit out of the last corner equating to a faster speed and made a passing move.  The passing move was started by moving out from behind the backmarker and into the gap between the backmarker and the #1Lexus.
• At this point, the #1 Lexus changed lanes (the second direction change on the straight) coming into the lane of the #5 Modena in what was an attempt to block the #5 car.  The #5 car attempted to avoid the Lexus #1.
• Having no where to go because of the backmarker on the left of the #5 car, the #5 car continued it's course.
• The Lexus car continued to squeeze the #5 car causing both cars to be dangerously close.
• Both cars collided.
• At this point, the #5 car had already crossed the timing beam quicker than the #1 Lexus and was in the lead.
• The #1 Lexus continued to 'push' the #5 Modena car on the right side causing the #5 car to lose control and spin towards the inside, across the front of the Lexus, and into the crash barrier.

THE EVIDENCE

• By looking at the right side of the #5 car, it is clear that there was absolutely no damage to the right front half of the car.  The first sign of damage is from the B-Pillar backwards where the Lexus #1 car hit the #5 car.
• The link to the video clip of the crash clearly shows that the Lexus #1 car swerved into the lane of the #5 car to block.

THE RESULT

• The Clerk of the Course had clearly seen the events and had made a recommendation to the 3 Race Stewards to award a penalty to the #1 Lexus.
• The 3 Race Stewards (who are appointed by KARA) denied the request. Furthermore, the official from the main post had the best view and in his report, he had said the Lexus 'bumped' me twice and it was the second bump the caused me to spin and hit the barrier.
• However, the 3 Race Stewards would not allow me to see the race report and also discarded that piece of evidence.
• Furthermore, they would not take into consideration the evidence on my car,but rather, 'accused' me of 'rubbing' my way from the back of hte Lexus to the front, causing the accident.
• Clearly by looking at the evidence on my car, they would have seen that there was no prior contact from me and the only contact was from the direct hit from the Lexus car.
• The 3 Race Stewards would not look at my car.
• I sat in front of the Race Stewards being accused of wrongdoing.  They informed me that I was the lucky one not to get a penalty.
• No penalty or warning was handed out to the Lexus team nor driver.

Click here to view the video of the incident

Click here the Official Team Modena Web Site - built by Racecar