This was forwarded by our buddy Johnny at Live Fast. From Petersen Motorsports:
Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing Releases Enge Effective ImmediatelyThat's right friends - Tomas Enge was was canned from his ALMS ride IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RACE. Now that's cold.
07/21/07
Team Takes Top-Five Finish at Mid-Ohio
LEXINGTON, Ohio, July 21, 2007 – Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing has announced the immediate dismissal of driver Tomas Enge (a native of the Czech Republic now living in Monaco) following today’s Sports Car Challenge at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. In accordance with the two-time American Le Mans Series GT2 Driver Championship-winning team’s written policy on driver expectations and conduct, Enge was released approximately 45-minutes into the two hour and 45-minute event. Enge was assessed a penalty by IMSA Stewards/Officials for causing damage to a car while on probation. In accordance with a written agreement regarding the driver’s probation, Team Manager/Entrant Dale White (Bozeman, MT) followed team policy and protocol and released Enge immediately.
The Michael Petersen (Las Vegas, Nev.) owned team soldiered home with a top-five GT2 class finish today despite a damaged race car. Dirk Müller (a German now living in Monaco) will continue with the two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans class winners. The second driver for the No. 31 MMPIE/PAWS/Petersen Holdings/Michelin Ferrari F430 GT is under consideration and will be announced prior to the August 11th round at Road America. Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing is the defending GT2 class race winners at Road America and has won three of the last four seasons at the Elkhart Lake, Wisc. facility.
Um, please let there be some YouTube footage of this going down.
They actually parked him and told him get out?
I agree, let there be youtube!
What if he didn't want to get out? What are they going to do? Throw gloves at him?
Wait. What?
Oh you said Tomas ENGE..
The actual sacking went down in the trailer, but it was indeed done mid race because I first heard the news of it come across the Flying Lizard radios live.
Both Enge and Salo were black flagged for some extremely stupid on track beating and banging, and Enge was already on probation with his team and IMSA (sanctioning body for ALMS) so he came in, parked for his penalty, and was replaced by the second stint driver who finished the race.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the ALMS does NOT f*ck around.