IndyCar, the governing body of the Firestone Indy Lights, announced yesterday that they have suspended the entrant license/membership of O2 Racing Technology and the individual membership of team owner Mark Olson until December 31, 2012, for actions during The Milwaukee Mile event June 18-19.
Officials said that Olson attempted to effect the conduct of the David Hobbs 100 as he encouraged others to breach their contracts with officials and withdraw from the event. The only entries to withdraw from the event were the O2 Racing Technology No. 36 and No. 63 entries.
“The mere act of attempting to impede the conduct of the event is something we will not tolerate,” Roger Bailey, Executive Director of Firestone Indy Lights, said. “We believe we have a great championship with Firestone Indy Lights that will help develop drivers and teams to prepare to move to the top level of open-wheel racing in North America, and we must maintain the integrity of our series.”
The actions were in violation of multiple rules as listed in the Firestone Indy Lights rulebook:
· Rule 1.1: Actions threatening the integrity of INDYCAR, Firestone Indy Lights and/or orderly conduct of an event.
· Rule 2.11 (C): Conduct creating adverse notoriety with respect to INDYCAR, Firestone Indy Lights or an event.
· Rule 9.3 (A): Attempting to or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct or conduct detrimental to racing, INDYCAR and/or Firestone Indy Lights.
· Section 14 of the Event Entry Form: Engaging in tactics which would disrupt or delay the events.
The penalized parties may protest/appeal as prescribed in the Firestone Indy Lights rulebook. A protest/appeal may result in an increase, decrease or no change to the penalty.
