Thomas Pourrain was demoted to sixth in the final Rookie Challenge results at Oschersleben due to a discrepancy in timekeeper’s calculations.
A discrepancy in timekeeper’s calculations resulted a significant shake-up to the finishing order in EuroNASCAR Rookie Challenge at Oschersleben.
The discrepancy in question took place in the second session, which was originally won by the debuting Thomas Pourrain for Marko Stipp Motorsport.
After a recheck, Pourrain was demoted to fifth in the session. Pourrain, who originally finished second overall, ended up sixth in the final overall results.
“The NASCAR Euro Series organization has issued a correction to the Rookie Challenge standings following the races at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben in Germany,” announced EuroNASCAR.
“After a post-race review, a discrepancy was identified in the timekeeper’s initial calculation of the Rookie Challenge results. The results have been re-verified, and the official, correct standings are now confirmed.”
“Ensuring the accuracy of all competition results is a priority for the series. We regret any confusion caused by the initial publication.”
Pourrain’s demotion promotes Ofek Eliyahu to first place in the second session. It meant that Eliyahu won on his Rookie Challenge debut.
Eliyahu also moved up to second in the final results, with Maxim van Laere completing the podium finishers.
Speaking to World of EuroNASCAR afterwards, Pourrain expressed his disappointment of the result changes although he remains proud of his overall performance in Oschersleben.
“I’m a bit disappointed but I wasn’t expecting to be on the podium anyways,” said Pourrain.
“I managed to finish fifth in the second session, so I’ve achieved the goal I set for myself. I was really happy with my team and my car, so overall this doesn’t change my satisfaction with this race. I’m looking forward to Zolder where I’ll try to get on the podium for real this time.”
This change of result did not change anything at the top of the championship, because José Antonio Peñalta also benefitted from Pourrain’s demotion. Peñalta originally finished fourth in the second session.
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