Dan Welch: “I think some people need to learn to race a bit”

Dan Welch was frustrated to end his race early in race one at Donington Park, after an incident with Speedworks Motorsport driver Matt Simpson late in the race.

Welch and Simpson had a coming together at Coppice with three laps to go which instigated the second deployment of the safety car, with the incident under investigation by the stewards.

“Matt Simpson just drove me off the track,” said Welch to TouringCarTimes, reflecting on the incident.

“The car was just starting to come on song with five laps to go. Simpson and Rob Austin got together (ahead of me) so I overtook them while they were recovering. Then towards Coppice he was on my back bumper and I made it pretty clear there was no space to get through, then I think he thought we were doing stock car racing and just shoved his way through.

“He apologised saying he was pushed by someone else, but I don’t think there was anyone behind him.”

Welch’s Proton Gen-2 is repairable, though it sustained damage to the suspension as a result of the incident with Simpson’s Honda Civic Type-R.

“I think some people need to learn to race a bit in this championship,” said Welch. “There’s no point just banging doors. Three out of four suspension corners are damaged, nothing horrendous but there was just no need for it, and now instead of starting 16th, 17th and working our way forwards and maybe getting into the points, we’re starting last (for race two).

Simpson is under investigation for the incident, but without having reviewed the incident, declined to comment on the altercation.