The second round of the IDM Superbike came to a premature end last Sunday at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben for the rider with start number “52.” Patrick Hobelsberger of Team GERT56 was disqualified after being shown the black flag. The decision by the race directors of the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) is based on the series’ regulations for 2024.
Due to a false start by Patrick Hobelsberger, an LLPx2—that is, a double long-lap penalty—was imposed. This was displayed on a board to the driver for five laps. During these five laps, the driver has the opportunity to serve the penalty. An LLP may not be served if yellow flags are being waved in the affected section of the penalty zone. This is stipulated in Article 15.6 of the sporting regulations.
The rationale is that the penalized driver is not at a disadvantage compared to his competitors if all drivers slow down under yellow flags in this section of the track. Additionally, overtaking is prohibited under yellow flags. If a driver enters the Long Lap under these circumstances, following competitors may be hindered. The driver in the LLP is on a completely different line and is therefore significantly slower than drivers on the racing line. However, competitors on the racing line are not allowed to pass the driver in the Long Lap due to the no-overtaking rule. This can lead to dangerous situations caused by braking maneuvers.
The driver with start number “52” completed the second long lap during the yellow flag period and thus did not do so correctly. Race Control then sent the message “#52 double long lap penalty – not completed (yellow flag in T2)” via the team communication channel and the timing monitors. In this case, the number of laps required to complete the LLP is increased by the number of laps completed under yellow flag conditions. Since the penalized driver did not complete the LLP again under correct conditions, the penalty was consequently not served. The LLPx2 penalty is therefore considered not served.
Race control subsequently imposed a "ride-through" penalty. This was announced as follows: "#52 ride-through penalty – failure to complete double long-lap penalty." In accordance with Article 15.7, the driver has three laps to serve the penalty. If he fails to comply with the penalty, the regulations provide for the driver’s disqualification with a black flag (#52 black flag – not completing ride-through penalty).
The situation involving a LLP and a concurrent yellow flag period on the affected section of the track is challenging for the riders and teams at the pit wall. Given the high level of competition in the IDM, the applicable DMSB classification regulations must be adhered to, and violations result in predetermined consequences.
Team GERT56 accuses race control of unjustifiably stopping Superpole 2 with a red flag “due to a motorcycle lying far out in the gravel trap.” They claim this prevented rider Patrick Hobelsberger from setting the fastest lap after the red flag period was lifted. The fact is: The red flag was waved. A motorcycle was in the gravel, and the marshals and the rider who had crashed were walking through the gravel trap. Yellow flags were waved at the accident corner 9/10. There was one minute remaining until the end of the Superpole 2 session. Since the recovery work at the accident site could not be completed within that time, yellow flags continued to be waved until the conclusion of Superpole 2. Here too—as with the LLP—riders are required to slow down. Under circumstances compliant with the rules, rider Patrick Hobelsberger would not have been able to improve his time.