Special Tuning Racing saw their Monza race day ended early after Darryl O’Young’s SEAT Leon caught fire during the early stages of the morning warm up, after the team had changed the engine following the qualifying problems the previous day.
The engine change was permitted by the stewards without penalty as it was an engine in development and O’Young was able to join the morning warm up session, but his session and day was over after a single lap of the Monza circuit.
Heading towards the Ascari chicane, flames were spotted from the front left hand side of the #20 SEAT Leon. O’Young pulled over and escaped unharmed, while the marshals dealt with the flames while the session was stopped. The fire damage to the car meant that O’Young was unable to compete in the two races.
“It’s a shame to start the season off like this, but we have a long championship ahead and I still have full confidence in STR and SEAT Sport to provide me with the package to win.” said O’Young.
“It is a shame too for the team as all efforts were made to get me on the grid for this round, but myself and the team are now looking forward to working towards Valencia.”
The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by Special Tuning Racing and SEAT Sport, while the cars will be prepared ready for rounds three and four of the season at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia over the 31 March/1 April.