UPDATE (03/08): NLS4 is set to go ahead as planned following the incident in the paddock on Friday which injured several people.
A statement released by the NLS organisation has confirmed the decision:
“After consultation with team bosses, the ILN (Interest Representation Long-Range Nürburgring) and the driver spokespersons, the VLN has decided to carry out tomorrow’s race.
“”A regrettable accident happened during the test and we are all deeply shocked and in thoughts with those affected,” says VLN boss Mike Jäger. “However, the incident is not directly related to the event, so we have decided together with our teams to carry out the event.”
“Qualifying , which has been shortened to 60 minutes, starts at 8:52 a.m. The rest of the schedule remains unchanged.”
The organisers have also confirmed that 22 people were injured in the explosion, four of them seriously.
Manthey EMA and Schmickler are among the teams known to have withdrawn from the race, which is believed to be down to 107 starters.
Manthey has clarified that none of its crew were involved or injured.
“As the routine investigations in the paddock are still ongoing the #911 is unable to start today’s race,” Manthey said in a statement.
News is emerging of a serious incident during practice for tomorrow’s NLS4 race at the Nurburgring with multiple witnesses on-site reporting an apparent explosion in or near a pit garage involving a compressed air or gas bottle.
All on-track activities have been halted with rescue services including medevac helicopters on-site.
A statement from NLS organisers states:
“During the test and practice run in the run-up to NLS4, an explosion occurred shortly after 6 p.m. behind a box in the paddock area, which, according to initial findings, was caused by a compressed air bottle. The extensive rescue personnel on site immediately initiated appropriate measures and secured the accident site. The practice run was immediately stopped.”
“According to initial findings, there are several injured people who were transported to nearby hospitals by rescue helicopter after receiving immediate treatment at the Medical Center at the Nürburgring. The police are investigating on site, as is usual in such a situation. Further information will be announced shortly.”
