Crash shortened Trans Am race result to be investigated

The result of the shortened second Trans Am race at Symmons Plains last weekend will be investigated by Motorsport Australia.

James Moffat won all three Trans Am races held at the opening SpeedSeries round of the 2023 season at Tasmania.

However, Moffat took the second race win in unusual fashion. The first of two Sunday races was only held over 12 laps after a significant crash involving Ben Grice and James Simpson brought it to an early end.

Simpson was sent flying through the air after careering into the back of the slow-moving Grice.

Grice had been leading the race before mechanical issues brought him to a limp at the end of Lap 11 coming out of the final corner where Simpson collected him.

Although the roll-over was the hot topic of conversation, it is that happens afterwards that will go under the microscope of the investigatory tribunal setup by Motorsport Australia.

The race finished under the control of the safety car with Moffat leading home Owen Kelly and Lochie Dalton in the official results, while Grice and Simpson were both DNFs after thankfully bring unharmed.

However, the race was red flagged and if the tribunal believes the ace should have been declared immediately after the incident, Grice may be given the win on a count-back in similar circumstances to the 2003 Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix when Jordan’s Giancarlo Fisichella did not receive the winner’s trophy until a fortnight after the red-flagged race. 

Motorsport Australia released a statement confirming an investigatory tribunal has been setup to examine the events that took place at Symmons Plains on Sunday.

“Motorsport Australia has confirmed it will set up an investigatory tribunal to consider the circumstances surrounding the finish of the National Trans Am Series’ second race at the Shannons SpeedSeries as part of the AWC Race Tasmania event,” read the statement.

“The category’s race was cut short due to an incident on the main straight, with the race officially finishing under safety car.

“However, since the result was made official, evidence has been presented indicating that red flags were shown at multiple flag points erroneously and seen by a number of drivers.

“The tribunal will now look into why the red flags were shown and if the race should have been declared earlier.

“Motorsport Australia will advise of the outcome of the tribunal in due course.”

The second round of the 2023 Trans Am season is at Phillip Island on May 12-14.

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