The 2016 Nurburgring 24 Hours winner had certified second within the #three GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3, however hopes of victory for the automobile he shared with Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella have been ended by harm sustained involved with the #115 Porsche Cayman GT4 within the Stefan Bellof-S part of the observe.
Engel managed to get again to the pits regardless of a damaged right-rear shock absorber, however the harm proved too extreme to restore and the automobile retired within the seventh hour.
On-board video footage exhibits the Porsche transfer proper to go away Engel a spot on the left, earlier than shifting throughout and instigating the collision.
Writing on social media after the race, Engel stated the non-finish was a “powerful one to take when a automobile strikes proper after which immediately again to the left”, earlier than calling for drivers to stay to their line when being lapped by GT3 equipment.
“To the amateurs on the market we respect you and wish you on this race,” he wrote.
“However PLEASE keep on with your line and don’t change line unexpectedly or zig zag. For those who transfer proper then keep proper. For those who change again to the left like on this occasion you aren’t predictable.”
Engel stated he has no need to see the novice aspect of the 24 Hours misplaced, because the race “lives from the professional and novice coexistence” however stated information and adherence of the foundations must be improved.
“Sadly there are nonetheless too many on the market driving 30, 40 or 50kph in a Code 60 or slamming the brakes subsequent to tow vehicles which you’re alleged to move safely at lowered race pace,” he stated.
“This makes the race a lottery and creates pointless hazard.
“I’m not saying the professionals are good, we make errors too. However a number of the driving on the market this weekend has actually been horrible.
“It’s been a speaking level between lots of the professional drivers behind closed doorways. So I hope sooner or later we will get again to raised years the place there have been extra vehicles on observe however the high quality of driving was additionally significantly better – particularly the quantity of zig zagging!”
Dacia crew vital of Professional requirements
Engel’s crash wasn’t the one dramatic incident within the 24 Hours, as a manufacturing Dacia Logan entered by Ollis Storage Racing was destroyed following contact with Laurin Heinrich’s Dinamic GT Porsche 911 GT3 R.
The reigning Carrera Cup Germany champion making his debut within the 24 Hours made contact with the SP3 Dacia pushed by Maximilian Weissermel additionally on the Stefan Bellof-S.
The Dacia was then fired violently into the obstacles, the incident caught by an on-board digital camera on Manuel Lauck’s TCR Hyundai.
Weissermel thankfully escaped with out harm after preliminary complaints of again ache, however crew boss Oliver Kriese confirmed that the automobile is “a complete loss” because the Logan’s engine is not in manufacturing.
#118 Dacia Logan: Oliver Kriese, Michael Lachmayer, Maximilian Weissermel
Photograph by: Alexander Trienitz
“It is a miracle the motive force received out of the automobile alive in any respect,” Kriese advised Autosport’s German language sister web site Motorsport-Complete.com. “The rear was crushed to the cage.”
Heinrich was fined over €three,000 for inflicting an avoidable collision, however this was poorly acquired by the crew.
An announcement on Instagram defended the actions of its drivers and was vital of ideas that slower vehicles should not be concerned within the occasion.
“After it has been talked about in social media by some that the little ones mustn’t drive alongside at such an occasion, we wish to say right here once more very clearly: We now have ALWAYS made room and at any time signalled by flashing the place you may overtake us,” it stated.
“Maybe we should always contemplate not handing out the Nordschleife allow to the younger drivers after two NLS races and letting them drive the large vehicles! Possibly they need to begin with the little ones first to understand how they react and act.
“As a small crew combating for each €, it hit us arduous. The motive force who prompted the accident is just given a brand new automobile!”
Further reporting by Sönke Brederlow
