To be honest, I don't think it's as bad as it seems. The entire Seattle complex is notorious for contact like that - Justin went in slightly too deep, Tyler ran so high that he scrubbed off way too much speed to line up his next initiation as comfortably as possible. Pawlak had the line, Tyler then had no choice but to keep pushing and finish off the run - the awkward angle then meant they were going to make contact anyway, happens quite a lot. The forced wide line then meant both were heading into the final turn too tight - McQuarrie saw his chance to retake the lead and possibly score well with a big angle, so he initiated flat-out and it may have worked - unfortunately, JTP didn't have enough time or space to do anything, so he was heading towards McQuarrie no matter what. The entire run was going wrong from start to finish - I didn't see any deliberate dumping or anything that was completely avoidable. Once you go off line in Seattle, it's almost impossible to get back on - most cars either take the wall or just spin. One mistake led to a messy chain reaction. FD is stronger than ever this year, but it's not been as competitive as some would've hoped. I think that was just a case of the commentators trying to stir up some controversy out of an accidental mess.
Completely disagree.
The initial contact is legit. It happens in racing / drifting.
The problem is afterwards. Once TMQ drops two tires, as the lead driver, the run is FINISHED! At that point, both drivers should shut down. There is no "retake the lead" etc etc. The run is 100% terminated.
The subsequent game of bumper cars is completely extra curricular. It's the exact same as two drivers going at it after the checkered flag has been waved.
The contact is minor, I'll admit. No one got hurt, JTP continued - so it's mostly water under the bridge, this time.
My main beef is with FD failing to repremand the drivers and encouraging this type of driving. Everything turned out ok this time, but it might not next time.
If you were a privateer driver, how would you feel if a competator hit you on purpose, outside of competition no less. Personally, I would be furious.
What if TMQ and JTP went wheel to wheel, and the steering wheel broke JTP's thumb or wrist?
If contact happens during a run, it's unfortunate, but it's part of the sport. Bumper cars after the run is finished has no place in any professional arena
Edit: just to respond to where you said "I didn't see any deliberate bumping"...
TMQ going into JTP's door around inner clip 2 was 100% intentional. Clear as day. JTP retaliating and PIT maneuvering TMQ was 100% intentional. And again, this took place after the run had technically finished.
We probably won't get to see in car footage due to how bad it would make the drivers look (especially Tyler, sponsored by Go Pro...his car is covered in cameras)
. From my point of view, 2015 has been a very rough year for FD, and this is the final straw for me, I'm out. 🤬 clowns!!
