Indy Racing League Hands Out Penalty

[PettyBenson]

By Kent Johnson
indyracing.com

Saturday Jun 14, 2003

IRL IndyCarTM Series driver Tora Takagi has been penalized for displaying unacceptable driving habits during the Bombardier 500 on June 7 at Texas Motor Speedway, according to Brian Barnhart, senior vice president, racing operations for the Indy Racing League.



Pursuant to Rules 8.1 and 8.3-A (Improper Conduct) of the Indy Racing League Rule Book, Takagi has been imposed probation until Dec. 31, 2003 and loss of 23 Driver points as well as 23 Entrant points for Mo Nunn Racing.



Takagi, driver of the No. 12 Mo Nunn Racing entry, engaged in unacceptable behavior on the racetrack, including Lap 190 when he tried to pass teammate Felipe Giaffone and Scott Sharp, sending Giaffone and Sharp into the wall. While no one was injured, Takagi went on to a third-place finish while Giaffone and Sharp were unable to continue.



“I have had several ‘Driver Only’ Meetings, dating back to May 4 at Indianapolis, to discuss what I perceived as a trend of unacceptable driving habits that developed at Phoenix and Motegi among several drivers,” Barnhart said. “I have reviewed the broadcast footage of the Texas race, and I am disappointed to view actions which exhibit reckless, careless and overly aggressive driving, and endangering the safety of competitors.”



Takagi may appeal the imposition of the penalty within the time and in the manner prescribed in Section 12.1 of the Rule Book. An appeal may result in an increase, decrease or no change to the penalty.



The next event on the 2003 IndyCar Series schedule is the Honda Indy 225, June 15 at Pikes Peak International Raceway near Colorado Springs, Colo.

 

[PettyBenson]

Thats one big penatly! 23 points!!! You get 35 for 3rd place which is were he finished at Texas! Its not as harsh as it could have been. They could have put a monetary vaule with the penatly. I am not sure if The IRL has ever done either of those before to a driver?

 

[Parkfan]

He deserved it! That was one of the worst moves I've seen anyone make this year in any type of racing. They told the drivers before the race they weren't supposed to go below the line and he did to make it 3 wide, which you can't do at Texas. If they had not penalized him, that would send a message to the other drivers you can drive like a idiot on the race track and get away with it.

 

[PettyBenson]

Actauly the IRL cars can go 3-wide as long as they give each other room. The pass would have worked if he did not go below the line and slide back up with the transition, I give him and A for effort bc if that pass would have worked without crashing the cars it would have been the pass of the night. But since it crashed the point leader and his teamate I sorta agree with giving a penatly!

 

[Parkfan]

Originally posted by PettyBenson4510@Jun 14 2003, 09:34 PM
Actauly the IRL cars can go 3-wide as long as they give each other room.

Yes, but Giaffone had no idea he was making the pass because he was at the top, he was not high enough on the track for Takagi to make the pass because Sharp could not move up the track any further.