Updated: GTD Controversy Overshadows United SportsCar Opener

The 2014 Daytona 24 Hours will be remembered for many things. A Corvette DP podium whitewash, a second-successive win in a 24 hour race by the Porsche 911 RSR, a gutsy debut from the new Corvette C.7R and a horrifying shunt for Memo Gidley which caused the race to be red flagged ensured there was action wherever you looked in the first event for the new United SportsCar Championship. 

But it was the final lap skirmish between Level 5 Motorsport's Alessandro Pier Guidi and Flying Lizard Motorsport's Markus Winkelhock over the GTD class lead, and the controversial penalty retrospectively imposed on the former, which left a sour taste in the mouth of those watching and ultimately overshadowed the thrilling outright lead battle between the Action Express and Wayne Taylor Racing teams.  

While common sense eventually prevailed and Level 5 were reinstated after the prize-giving ceremony, the debacle left many shaking their heads that IMSA had allowed themselves to be embroiled in such a mess in the first place. 

Scotsman Ryan Dalziel was supportive of the
stewards decision to overturn the penalty for Level 5.

So to the incident itself. Having used the Ferrari's superior straight-line speed to retake the lead as they took the white flag, Pier Guidi took a defensive line into turn three, allowing Winkelhock to get alongside, albeit around the outside of the turn 4 kink. The Italian, sharing with Jeff Segal, Townsend Bell and Bill Sweedler, used all the road to defend his position, forcing the Audi onto the grass, although no contact was actually made.

Winkelhock (left) attempts to drive around  the outside
of Pier Guidi in no. 555. (credit: @Mattzel89.)

Winkelhock's Audi scrambled over the grass and rejoined just ahead of Jan Heylen in the no. 58 Snow Racing Porsche 911 and they crossed the line in that order, before IMSA intervened to demote Level 5 to fourth behind the no. 72 SMP Racing Ferrari. 

By the letter of the law, Rule 6.17.3 states: 

"Any driver who, in the sole opinion of the Race Director and or Stewards, initiates avoidable contact with another competitor, whether or not such contact interrupts the other competitor’s lap times, track position or damages other competitor’s cars and whether or not such actions result in actual contact, may be warned or penalized."

Although Winkelhock and team-mates Spencer Pumpelly, Tim Pappas and Nelson Canache Jr. were understandably supportive, the steward's decision was met with widespread disdain from the international motorsport community, who felt Level 5 had earned the win fair and square in their first race with the Ferrari GTD, having switched from the prototype class over the off-season. 

Level 5's own Townsend Bell was understandably furious with the stewards call, and was echoed by fellow competitors Marino Franchitti and Conor Daly, former Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran, IndyCar team-owner Jimmy Vasser, Le Mans legends Derek Bell and Tiff Needell, who bemoaned the intervention of the stewards after a hard, but fair fight.  

2003 Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran was firmly on the side of Level 5.

IndyCar owner Jimmy Vasser didn't mince his words.

The author of this blog lamented that the
controversy overshadowed the overall result.

Ganassi Racing's Marino Franchitti sympathised
with Level 5 after the controversial call.

Sportscar rookie Conor Daly added his voice those questioning the
decision, having earlier been on the receiving end of the IMSA stewards. 

Sportscar journo Tony Di Zinno was philosophical in his outlook.

Le Mans veteran Derek Bell didn't agree with the stewards either.

Tiff Needell knows what it takes to race at
Daytona and wasn't in agreement either.

After much talk of a penalty being awarded for "avoidable non-contact", justice was done when IMSA finally announced that the decision had been reversed to Level 5's relief, although there was the small question of what should be done with the engraved Rolex watches already given to the Flying Lizards...

A delighted Pier Guidi took to Twitter after the verdict was overturned.

Magnus Racing's Andy Lally felt sympathy for the Flying Lizards.

So the question remains, has any lasting damage been done? The fact remains that the decision to issue the penalty in the first instance was taken too quickly, creating unnecessary confusion that overshadowed the final result and will alienate fans new to the series, but IMSA should be applauded for listening in the wake of overwhelming disapproval. 

LMPC racer David Heinemeir-Hansson was positive after the

first race of the United SportsCar series, despite feeling the GTD

 cars had too great a straight-line speed advantage. 

What are your thoughts on the GTD finish and IMSA's response? Comment below.