Vila Real Race 1 red-flagged after massive pile-up at the start

The first race of the weekend at Vila Real has been red-flagged after the front row starters Rob Huff and Mehdi Bennani collided at Turn 2 and blocked the track, with much of the field slamming into the two Volkswagens.

Huff and Bennani were battling side-by-side into the first sequence, but the two cars’ wheels locked with Bennani launching into the air with Huff’s car slamming into the barriers.

Norbert Michelisz went past in the BRC Hyundai but also made contact and damaged his left-side door, while the rest of the field either were part of the accident or stopped just behind it.

With extensive damage to the barriers, and with the track completely blocked with wrecked cars, a restart time is so far unclear.

“From what I saw, it was Rob and Mehdi colliding,” said Michelisz. “I experienced a big push from behind, so I’m a bit angry because of that, as I could have survived the accident. The car looks a little Ace Ventura.

“It was big crash, but I can’t see if it’s Rob or Mehdi’s fault.”

Thompson climbed out of his car to head towards the front, after the YMR Hyundai of Thed Bjork caught fire.

“I think the first two guys came together but then they just blocked the track and everyone just concertinaed into each other,” said Thompson.