Rheinard declared winner of controversial A2, Orlowski’s title hopes over
Marc Rheinard has been declared the winner of a controversial A2 at the IFMAR ISTC World Championships in Bangkok, after race winner Bruno Coelho was given a 5-second penalty for contact with Top Qualifier Michal Orlowski, the Pole’s title hopes now over. In the closing minute of the race, Orlowski who led from the start was coming under intense pressure from Coelho. With his car stepping out the defending World Champion tried to execute a pass that would result in contact that sent the Schumacher driver rolling off the track. Suffering a body tuck, the 1:12 World Champion’s ISTC title hopes were done, as Coelho crossed the line in first ahead of Rheinard. While a penalty was called by officials, the calling of that penalty incorrectly made for car No.1 not car No.2, by the time the error was noticed the race was complete. After a long deliberation, officials handed Coelho a 5-second penalty giving the win to Rheinard and putting the two 3-time World Champions in a head to head in A3 for their fourth titles.
