Clarke Parked
Written by Scott Keller · August 24, 2007
Champ Car tells “Desperate Dan” Clarke to cool off from the sidelines this weekend in Zolder after causing a four-car wreck within minutes of the start of the first practice that took out Belgium’s home-town-boy, Jan Heylen.
John Oreovicz over at ESPN has more details, including this quote from Paul Tracy:
We’re supposed to be putting on a good advertisement for Champ Car here in Europe and Clarke made us look like idiots. … I don’t know what he was thinking on the first lap of practice on a new track. It was like a train wreck and I’ve never seen anything like it.
–Paul Tracy
Below is the official release from Champ Car regarding the situation.
CHAMP CAR SUSPENDS DRIVER DAN CLARKE FROM CHAMP CAR GRAND PRIX OF BELGIUM
Zolder, Belgium (August 24, 2007) — Following an incident in this morning’s practice session, Dan Clarke has been barred from participating in this weekend’s Champ Car Grand Prix of Belgium. Champ Car Race Director Tony Cotman will make a decision one week from today as to Clarke’s status for the Bavaria Beer Champ Car Grand Prix of Holland Presented by Audi, Hertz, Gent and Pioneer.
“This morning’s incident was totally unacceptable and completely avoidable,” said Cotman. “Dan was already on probation after previous incidents in San Jose which helped lead me to my decision today. After the weekend is complete and I have a time to review the incident without the raw emotion of the moment, I will make a decision as to any further penalties against Clarke.”
‘Speedy’ Dan Clarke is coming off of his career best Champ Car result, finishing second at Road America in the last event. Clarke has made 24 starts in his Champ Car career, finishing on the podium twice and earning one career pole position.
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