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Message: [QUOTE="flip55, post: 11816042, member: 142676"] Sorry for the length, but... I'll give you the penalties for unsafe release and passing under yellow, those are pretty standard issues. But the number of penalties handed out for contact was a little ridiculous. The number I've seen is 17 penalties issued during this race, 12 for contact. That's a bit much. Racing isn't all clean, contact happens. There's now a news story out saying that the SRO are going to be even tougher on contact. I also caught a bit in the broadcaster where they mentioned that teams cannot appeal penalties. [I][SIZE=1](I'm guessing this was a reaction to the Bentley ignoring the race officials in Monza as the team tried to work it out.)[/SIZE][/I] Personally, I already don't like how micro - managed the series is, a few examples being maximum driver stint times and minimum pit stop times [I][SIZE=1](I think it removes strategy from the race, and this is an endurance series, after all)[/SIZE][/I], and now this is happening. How long until a driver gets a 3.5 minute stop and hold because the exhaust gasses blowing on the car behind them is too hot? I understand that contact rules shouldn't be 'free rein.' That won't end well for anyone. I feel this leaves a lot of unanswered questions in terms of what the SRO will find acceptable and what isn't. I think if that many penalties have to be handed out, something else may need to be looked at. Are driving standards really getting worse, or is the SRO becoming a little too power - happy? Are we at the point where we've reached too many cars on track? Is the talent gap (for lack of a better phrase) between pro and gentleman drivers becoming too great? If so, is it time to consider separate pro and amateur cups? All or none of the above...? I've been following Blancpain Endurance since near it's inception. I like the series, and the actual on track racing was good to watch. But this situation brought the whole race down for me, and I don't see it getting better as the season goes on. [SIZE=1][I](ending rant before I start talking about track limits...)[/I][/SIZE] [/QUOTE]

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