tl;dr - Expect the 88/39 to be going much slower under double yellow in the future
Not an unavoidable accident, but a racing incident to be learned from. No one was hurt but there was nearly significant out of class contact and
two cars were needlessly damaged.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F21ScRtK2kk
Pace Car at pit out at approximately 19:15
On board cresting hill between 1 and 2 behind the #32 CMC at 19:29 - roughly the location of the yellow AMCM car immediately before contact
On board cresting hill between 1 and 2, look at the tire marks under the #32 CMC at 21:04 - impact marks
On board between 1 and 2 #88 CMC track right at 21:05 - resting point of the #88 CMC
What I remember is seeing the AMCM into the trees at T2, as several AMCM cars had recently passed position racing CMC cars and we were fairly close into T2. I saw the yellow flag go up in T2 and fully expected ongoing yellow flag and an EV to be there next time by. Next time by, I believe waving yellow and, as expected, the EV was in the inside of T2 perparing to pull the AMCM car out.
For the balance of the lap I was managing the distance between myself and the #55 CMC which ahead of a yellow AMCM car. We were every bit of 7-8ths pace on that lap. As I crested the hill I saw the yellow AMCM car closer than I expected and without brake lights, so I believed it to be moving. It was, but closer to 30mph than the previous lap of 70-80mph. I quickly realized the closing speed was VERY high, I moved left to avoid the out of class car, recognized the "conga line" of cars into T2, knew there was no way I would
not pass the yellow AMCM car under double yellow, when the incident occurred.
I had zero idea there was a Pace Car on track.
Going forward expect that under double yellow I will be driving much slower than many of you may choose, especially at tracks with more limited sight lines. I share at least 50% of the fault because there was nothing prohibiting me from slowing down to a speed that would have allowed me to make a better defensive decision upon cresting the hill between 1 and 2.
There are already enough things, that I knowingly and willingly accept, to injure me doing this that I can take this one off the list.
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