Tracy's penalty

[luke]

Originally Posted by Jordi

I think I'm the only one but I don't think PT should have been docked points for this. Why wasn't Philippe docked points when he speared ServiÃ* off in Toronto? It was far more dangerous, and rather inept as well.

Philippe wasn't docked points - it was a racing accident, and so I think this is a racing accident as well. It seems like if PT does it then he gets the penalty.

I also think Bourdais should have been fined for running in an active track. Tracy may or may not have crashed intentionally into Bourdais, but adrenaline and all, you shouldn't cross the track like that.

At least he should have looked for a pedestrian's crossing and set an example for the kids!

I agree with what you are saying Jordi. But lets not forget. Tracy was also ready under probation.

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by luke

Tagliani also didn't cause the track incident, but he caused the fight incident. Same as Bourdais.

There was no fight as far as I could see. A mild push. Not great behaviour, but hardly appalling. A brief word with Sebastien suffices for this, and I suspect that is what has happened.

[sgjb]

Champcar is so spineless it is ridiculous. Put someone on probation which tells them they will be watching closely their conduct. Then the persons conduct is not good, so the penalty really is to ad danother race of probation. What a joke.

So in theory Paul can keep being an idiot and they will just keep adding more probation which means nothing if you don't do anything when they are on probation in the first place.

[luke]

Yes. It isn't sending out the right message and is unfair to those who have been banned in the past.
However Dan Clarke has also made contact again with drivers when he was on probation.

Its like going to prision here in the U.K. for 'life', when really its ten years. Its not what it sounds.

[Hazard]

Erm, who was the last Champcar driver to actually get a ban?

[Jordi]

Tracy at Homestead 1999?

Otherwise, I think Takagi was parked at Milwaukee 2001 (or 2002?) for taking Jimmy Vasser out as he was being lapped...

There was also Shigeaki Hattori having his license revoked in 1999 too for not being up to the standard...

[drewdawg727]

(I just watched the Denver Race earlier today)

I agree that Bourdais should have gotten penalized a little bit for crossing the track in traffic and by throwing the first "punch".

In a perfect world, Bourdais should have seen Tracy coming into the turn too hot. That turn is so wide that Bourdais could have straightlined it as much as possible and kept all four wheels on the track. Tracy definitely braked way too late which caused him to crash into Bourdais and have them both stall.

I agree that last year Bourdais had enough incidents with Tracy that he just squeaked by with nothing...but to just give more probation to Tracy? That's ridiculous. Tracy is out of control and he needs to be suspended so he can learn that he is not the only car out on the track.

[lnin0]

Tracy's move that took Bourdais out was far from a 'racing incedent'. You only need listen to Paul's post race comments as proof.

Paul's car was limping and Bourdais has the push to pass advantage. Paul was beat and everyone at the track and on tv knew it. It was only a matter of waiting for that last straight when Bourdais could cleanly drag race by him with his push to pass. That was done and Paul was beat - or at least relegated to third; as a veteran race driver these are things you should be able to accept.

Instead Paul blasted into the final turn knowing Bourdais would be on the outside race line and when Paul couldn't stop, as he knew would be the case going into the turn that hot, he took both cars out. Not as pure idiotic as his move in San Jose but still a stubborn thoughtless move which endangered drivers and took positions away from teams. This should be punished.

I also think Bourdais should have gotten some kind of punishment as well. He might have been mad but crosing a live track to talk to another driver should warrent punishment in itself - even if he didn't try to start a pushing match, which he clearly did.

Bourdais should be fined for unsportsman like conduct and putting drivers in danger. It was after his race was over so I don't feel he should loose any points.

Paul should loose points or better yet have to sit one out. His move was on the race track. Had he not made the post-race comments I would say the penalty should be points; but considering the comments he made I say sit one out. Paul needs to get his road rage in check and realize he is half the drive he used to be....probably doesn't help his ego now that he is not the top driver on his team.

[Hans.ca]

Have another look at the tape, it was Bourdais that turns into Paul. Paul had his wheels locked up and was going straight and SB turned into him, there is lots of room in that corner to avoid the problem. SB is a winer.
Hans.ca

[ensign14]

On a totally different subject, what happened to Baghdad Bob?

[RaceFreak]

People who know PT personally all say he's a great guy. Problem is, it's been repeatedly shown that when he puts the visor down, his demeanor changes.

Radically.

This is symptomatic of psychopathic behavior. I'm NOT saying he's a psychopath: it is, however, a behavior that makes him very dangerous when under great pressure. No doubt he's under fire from all sides. His descent has been visible since 'Dingers arrival.

Time to sit him down before someone REALLY gets hurt. CC hasn't shown the stones to do it.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by Hans.ca

Have another look at the tape, it was Bourdais that turns into Paul. Paul had his wheels locked up and was going straight and SB turned into him, there is lots of room in that corner to avoid the problem. SB is a winer.
Hans.ca

Umm having stood at that very spot, there is not "lots of room".

Also remember you are seeing it from the tv perspective. Keep in mind in a single seater like a champcar it's almost impossible to see clearly on your back side. SB would not have known pt had locked up and dove too deep until it was too late. Also I ask, is this "after you claude"? SB had the corner, he had to turn in SOMETIME to make it around.

[drewdawg727]

I don't see any need to argue this further..what's done is done and the officials made the call based on what they thought happened.

[luke]

i do agree with what racefreak was saying, paul does need to be taught a lesson, and i mean that by not extending his fines and probation but banning him for a race. f1 have banned drivers in the past for more little things...