German ‘MSA’ Bans GT3 from the ‘Ring

The German equivalent of the MSA, the Deutsche Motor Sport Bund, has reacted to Saturday’s fatal accident on the Nurburgring by banning five of the fastest classes from the circuit until further notice. A spectator was killed during a VLN race on the Nordschleife after Jann Mardenborough took off at Flugplatz in his Nissan NISMO GTR GT3.

Two additional spectators were injured in the incident which saw the GT3 machine vault the barriers and landed on its roof in an area used for spectating and camping during big events.

The DMSB is conducting an investigation into the accident and until it reaches its conclusions classes SP7, SP8, SP9, SP10 and SP-X will not be allowed to race on the infamous venue. Class SP9 covers FIA GT3 specification cars and usually provides the winner of the upcoming 24 Hour race.

SP7 covers Porsche GT3 Cup cars while SP8 and SP-X cater for high powered road cars and experimental machines. SP10 includes GT4 spec cars.

The General Secretary of the DMSB Christian Schacht said, “We cannot and will not be business as usual after an accident of this kind. We are still deeply shocked and our thoughts are with the victim.”

The qualifying race for the ADAC Zurich Nurburgring 24 Hours is due to take place in two weeks. It is unlikely that the investigation will be complete by this time which not only puts the participation of GT3 and GT4 cars in doubt but also raises a question over the viability of the 24 hour race itself.