There has been plenty of online comment on the causes and outcomes of Ralf Aron’s huge accident at the Bathurst 12 Hour with Johannes Zegler, Aron’s Craft Bamboo AMG hitting the stationary Tsunami RT Porsche of Zegler with catastrophic results.
DSC has held back on comment, working instead to understand the full context and communicating with some of those involved to establish what will now happen in the wake of a very public, and very serious, incident.
The Bathurst 12 Hour has earned its place on the global list of blue riband events as a result of excellent event management and promotion, and stunning racing on the unique, massively challenging and visually awesome Mount Panorama circuit.
It’s a venue with unusual challenges for drivers, race officials and trackside workers alike, but that absolutely does not mean that lesser standards should be accepted in terms of safety.
Ralf Aron has made it clear from his hospital bed that he will be seeking a meeting with race organisers to discuss the incident,.
Aside from the drivers and teams there are three bodies principally involved:
Motorsport Australia, the governing body for the sport, responsible for the production, and evolution, of regulations.
Bathurst City Council, responsible for the safety features in place at the iconic Mount Panorama Circuit.
And, of course, Supercars-owned company Supercars Events, the race organisers with SRO having a hand in matters via its IGTC nomination for the event.
By far the most important question on the table is whether the incident is being investigated.
DSC can report that whilst Motorsport Australia is yet to issue any public comments regarding the incident, discussions regarding the incident between the governing body and Bathurst 12 hour organisers commenced immediately following the races conclusion on Sunday evening, Australian time.
Those discussions will inevitably involve the following: The appropriateness of the prevailing regulations, in particular regarding the instructions to flag marshals. The timing of calls to neutralise and stop racing. And beyond that, the current and future safety certification, equipment and training of race officials and volunteer marshals at Mount Panorama.
In this social media age it is simple to post an opinion, to express outrage and/or emotion. The most important points in the wake of this and any other serious incident is that the right questions are asked, and that appropriate actions should follow where necessary.
Sadly the biggest (and hardest) lessons are often learned when the unthinkable happens. Now is the time to show all involved that this is going to be the case in this instance.
