For allowing the Honda Indy 300 to run source: F1-Live.com - Robyn Schmidt ART organizers have come under fire from some of their drivers for allowing Sunday's Surfers Paradise event to take place in rain drenched conditions. The event started just after the circuit was hit by a downpour following drizzling rain all morning, and despite the fact that the cars started in single file formation rather than two by two, a massive accident involving half the field saw two drivers, Adrian Fernandez and Tora Takagi, transported to hospital with injuries. Veteran racer Michael Andretti, who is defecting to the IRL series next year, said that he was 'lucky to be alive' after a car went over the top of his Motorola entry, taking off the camera mounted above his head in the process. The incident saw fans waiting impatiently for the restart for over an hour and a half while officials cleaned up the debris. Drivers were concerned about continuing under the conditions however after a brief drivers meeting, they agreed to race after three parade laps and the first three race laps under pace car conditions. The event was shortened to 50 laps then again to 41 after the pace car was back out after just six laps of green flag racing. It was soon obvious to the waiting crowd that the pace car would not be returning to the pits and rather than watch the procession before them, fans packed up and made their way out of the circuit. At 5:45 pm, almost two hours after it's scheduled completion, rookie driver Mario Dominguez crossed the line under lights to take his first victory, a win that is now being classed as controversial. Race organizers have defended their actions to continue with the race, despite it being a case of cars following the pace car for 35 laps of the 41 completed, stating it was in the 'best interest of the race fans,' those that waited around to see the end that is...
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