The Súper Copa Roshfrans 2025 delivered a day full of adrenaline and drama at Autódromo Monterrey, where a fire during Saturday’s practice sessions put the second round of the championship at risk. Despite the incident, the competition proceeded as scheduled on Sunday, leaving unforgettable moments—such as the heroic feat of Santos Zanella, who managed to reach the podium after losing his car in the blaze. 🚨🔥
THE FIRE THAT SET OFF THE ALARMS 🚒🔥
Chaos erupted during practice when a GTM category car went off track and, after crashing into the tire barriers, ignited a fire in the dry grass nearby. The flames spread quickly, consuming part of the circuit and causing more than a two-hour delay in track activities. The situation forced all fire extinguishers to be emptied and required water trucks to be refilled before action could resume.
The most affected vehicle was the #44 car from Z Racing Team, driven by Santos Zanella. In the last chicane of the track, his front right rim broke, leaving his car stranded in an area where the flames had already spread. Fortunately, the driver escaped unharmed, but the material damage was devastating. 🚗🔥
SECURITY MEASURES STRENGTHENED THE EVENT 🏁🚨
In response to the emergency, Civil Protection acted swiftly to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to other areas of the racetrack. Event officials explained that this type of fire is common during this season due to static electricity and the presence of dry vegetation around the track in Monterrey.
To ensure safety during the race, the organizers brought in additional water trucks and increased surveillance in critical areas of the circuit. Track marshals were also instructed to react faster to any potential fire outbreak. “We cannot allow an event like this to jeopardize the race and the safety of the participants again,” event organizers stated. 🚦💦
SANTOS ZANELLA: FROM FIRE TO THE PODIUM 🔥🏆
Despite the devastating loss of his car on Saturday, Z Racing Team refused to give up. Alfredo Meza, a fellow driver in the same category, offered his car so that Santos Zanella could race on Sunday in Race 2. With incredible determination, the driver from Puebla put on an outstanding performance and secured third place on the podium, an unthinkable result after losing his vehicle. “It was a weekend full of ups and downs, but thanks to Meza’s support, we were able to compete and salvage valuable points,” Zanella said after the race. 🏁👏
The team leaves Monterrey with mixed emotions but with the satisfaction of turning a tragedy into an opportunity to showcase their resilience. Now, they must work on rebuilding the #44 car for the next round of the championship. 🚗💨
A REFLECTION ON SAFETY AT RACETRACKS 🏟️⚠️
Fortunately, there were no injuries, but this incident highlights an important lesson for the Súper Copa Roshfransorganization and other motorsports events in Mexico. Safety must be the top priority, and the fact that the fire spread so quickly suggests the need for better preventive measures.
It is crucial to consider alternatives to dry grass, such as gravel or sand, to prevent a single spark from causing a dangerous situation. Additionally, ensuring enough fire extinguishers and water trucks are available at all times is essential to maintaining event safety.
Motorsport is a high-risk sport, but proper planning can prevent many of these situations. Let’s hope that what happened in Monterrey serves as a wake-up call to reinforce safety measures and protect both drivers and spectators in future races. 🏎️💨🚦
