Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ferrari
ALMS GT2 driver fired DURING last weekend's race
In our rush to get the Mid-Ohio post completed, we forgot about one of the biggest news items to come out of the weekend. One of the ALMS GT2 drivers was actually let go, as in fired, during the race. About 45 minutes into the 2-hour, 45-minute race, Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing driver Tomas Enge got into it with another car on track, and was penalized by IMSA. Already on probation for some other vehicular altercations, Enge was called in by his team and told his services would no longer be needed. Or something to that effect, we're sure.
The team is the two-time defending GT2 champions and want to make it three in a row. They used teammate Dirk Müller to bring the damaged Ferrari F430 GT home in the top five and will find a new number two driver by Road Atlanta if all goes as planned. While a dramatic end to his stint with the team, we're sure Enge will end up in the cockpit with another team soon enough.
Thanks for the reminder, Eric! Check out Eric's gallery of high-res shots from the racing action last weekend at Mid-Ohio by clicking the thumbs below.
[Source: The Race Site]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Harrison 7:42PM (7/26/2007)
I would have smashed the car into a wall hard enough to cause some minor damage as a sort of f-you salute.
Reply
andybee 9:10PM (7/26/2007)
Salo has since admitted that he caused the accident, so Enge wasn't really at fault anyway. Doh!
Enge will find another drive. He's got talent, even if he's a little agressive
Reply
Mark Neumann 9:44PM (7/26/2007)
0-62? I think, to be accurate, you properly meant 0-100 km/h. If the performance runs are done in metric, stick to metric. If they're done in US/English units, quote them instead. Just be consistent. But what a hell of a car!
Reply
BLS 12:04AM (7/27/2007)
Enge got hosed.
Recap: Two weekends ago Enge wiped out the entire GT2 field at Lime Rock (essentially)
Last weekend Enge taps Salo is a racing insident cause by Salo slowing suddenly due to the presence of an LMP2 car passing the slower GT2 cars. Salo only slightly off pace and with a tire rubbing bodywork punts Enge. Salo 2 minute penalty, Enge 5 minute penalty.
Reply
Opposite Lock 11:26AM (7/27/2007)
I think it was a financial decision, they can't afford to write off any more cars. They already didn't go to Le Mans because they didn't have enough money because of the car he stuffed at St. Pete (where he broke his elbow). And he has damaged the car many more times. That gets expensive when you're racing a Ferrari.
Reply
why not the LS2LS7? 12:05PM (7/27/2007)
Enge has been causing incidents all season. Him wiping out the entire field of Ferraris (not all of GT2) two weeks ago topping it. If I recall correctly, that was even his 2nd incident of the race weekend.
Enge is a good driver, it's surprising to me he couldn't control himself enough to stay in ALMS.
I missed last weekend's race. Every time ALMS puts a race on CBS, there's a good chance I'll miss it. I just never remember to look at the listings on CBS.
Reply
Spectacular Bid 5:28PM (7/27/2007)
From hero to zero which is a shame as he is a calculating, smart driver just a wee bit too aggressive at times. This is an era when I guess thats overly frowned upon. Mad Max back in the IMSA days was praised for the wild driving.
Thomas was one of the key drivers with (the Prodrive) Ferrari's 550 Maranellos rising above the Vettes for a few years. He lost his champion title in F3000 back in 2002 when he failed a drug test so he's done stupid things before to hurt his career.
Mika and Thomas are both F1 castoffs, alebit Mika did have a few successful races with Ferrari, and the ALMS is better for having these type of battles. It was humourous to see Risi's chief so irate when he learned Salo was being blammed ..
Reply